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85. Afrika Bambaataa

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85. Afrika Bambaataa
There has been a lot of debate as to whether Hip Hop belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To us at NIHOF, we believe it does belong and with the past inductions of Grandmaster Flash and Run D.M.C., it is clear that the Rap question has been answered. Had we launched this site two years ago, Run D.M.C. would have made our top ten, but with that being said, the man who predates Run D.M.C. and The Beastie Boys (a top ten selection) will likely have a secure spot in our top twenty until his induction.

If you looking for the origin of Hip Hop; look no further than Afrika Bambaataa. His music and look gave birth to a culture and gave the emerging genre of Hip Hop its first true ambassador. Although he was never the most commercially successful of the urban acts, his music could very well be the most groundbreaking. Afrika Bambaataa merged electronic rhythms with an urban feel and his 1982 Single; Planet Rock launched the debut of the new genre, Electro Funk.  His music would be influential in the emerging House and Freestyle scenes and is still reverberating around Hip Hop today. All of his many labels, “Godfather of Hip Hop, Ambassador of Hip Hop, The Greatest D.J. On Earth” is more than just names; they are facts.

 

FilmStrip Rock.Afrika Bambaataa

 

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Should Afrika Bambaataa be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 23.9%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25.4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.6%
No opinion. - 2.8%
No way! - 42.3%

The Bullet Points

  • Previous Rank: 2010: #15
    2011: #17
    2012: #20
    2013: #25
    2014: #28
    2015: #30
    2016: #29
  • Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 2006
  • Country of Origin: U.S.A. (New York City, New York)
  • Why they will get in: He certainly has the historical significance to qualify.
  • Why they won't get in: His catalog of music is not as large as others on this list.  He also was named in a molestation scandal in 2016.  That probably killed it.
  • Nominated in: 2008
  • Essential Albums: Planet Rock: The Album (1986)
  • Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Jazzy Sensation (Single, 1981)
    Planet Rock (Single, 1982)
    Looking for the Perfect Beat (Single, 1982)
    Renegades of Funk (Single, 1983)
    Unity (Single, 1984)

Should Afrika Bambaataa be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 23.9%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25.4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.6%
No opinion. - 2.8%
No way! - 42.3%
Last modified on Monday, 29 May 2023 01:59
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