Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force - Planet... Apr 2026

The song was a collaborative effort between Bambaataa, producer Arthur Baker, and musician John Robie.

Released in 1982 by Tommy Boy Records, by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force is considered a "year-zero" for electro and a cornerstone of hip-hop culture. The track famously fused Bronx street culture with European electronic futurism, specifically borrowing the melody from Kraftwerk's "Trans-Europe Express" and the rhythm from their track "Numbers". The Birth of Electro-Funk Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force - Planet...

: It was the first hip-hop hit to use electronic elements and a rhythm powered by the Roland TR-808 drum machine , which later became a staple sound for artists ranging from the Beastie Boys to Kanye West. The song was a collaborative effort between Bambaataa,