Planet Rock

Description

Tommy Boy reissues the exclusive limited edition pressing of "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force. Considered one of the founding fathers of rap, Afrika Bambaataa has long been regarded as a revolutionary, both in the music industry and beyond. Raised in the South Bronx, Afrika Bambaataa made a name for himself as a DJ, rapper, and songwriter, eventually becoming the leading DJ, event organizer, and promoter of the major block parties that rocked the neighborhood in the late 1970s. By the dawn of the 1980s, Bambaataa had been acclaimed for releasing countless genre-defining tracks, infusing hip-hop and electronic elements into a sound that would influence other artists for years to come. With the groundbreaking release of the Soulsonic Force-assisted "Planet Rock" in 1982, Afrika Bambaataa forever cemented his place in history as one of the most revered and innovative artists of his time. Since its release, "Planet Rock" has been recognized as one of the early hits of hip-hop and remains one of the most pioneering recordings of the genre. A long-time favorite among breakdancers, DJs, and music lovers, "Planet Rock" was ranked #240 by Rolling Stone on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and received gold certification from the RIAA. Originally released in 1986 as a collection of previous singles, this highly sought-after record has long been out of print—until now. It was ranked #84 by Slant Magazine on their list of the "Best Albums of the 1980s" and was also included in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die."