Planet Rock: The Album

Today's album is super early hip hop, like Grandmaster Flash or The Sugarhill Gang. This album is super important to the evolution of modern hip hop and rap. These songs have been sampled any times, and have influenced so many artists. Interesting side note: Planet Rock (the song) features samples of Kraftwerk's song Trans-Europe Express. These aren't traditional samples, however, as DJ and producer Arthur Baker met with Afrika Bambaataa and decided that instead of just playing a recording of the Kraftwerk tune, they would recreate it. This was done without Kraftwerk's permission, so the band approached the record label, and got royalties awarded to them for sales of the single. Afrika's version of the song (Planet Rock) was sampled and featured in an episode of Trailer Park Boys (I've Met Cats and Dogs Smarter Than Trevor and Cory). In the episode, the boys open an illegal night club in the park. Cory and Trevor are put in, charge of promoting the club around town, and hand out flyers at a gay bar called The Empty Closet. This leads to J-Roc's Crib being full of dudes on opening night. This song is being mixed in the background on opening night. Sampling another artist without asking for permission sounds like another episode of Trailer Park Boys called Who's the Microphone Assassin where J-Roc bootlegs songs of rap artist Detroit Velvet Smooth and calls it "cross promotion". It's also interesting that Rage Against The Machine's song Renegades of Funk is a cover of an Afrika Bambaataa song. I had no idea. This is a super solid album. Too bad Afrika Bambaataa is accused of sexually assaulting a bunch of kids. Favourite songs: Planet Rock, Renegades of Funk, Who You Funkin' With?, Looking for the Perfect Beat, Frantic Situation Least favourite songs: if forced to pick, They Made a Mistake 5/5

Funktastic! 5 stars.

Good

This album rocks

Absolutely world class hip hop. So much going on! There isn’t a single weak track on the album 4.6

cool

FUCK YES!!!!!!!! The sound of my childhood. 10000 stars!

A retro futuristic concept of a Zulu Nation out in space with an avant garde sound that is both funky and techno, with some of the most memorable early hip hop tunes to booth? This album is a masterpiece and it’s also super fun.

This is where it all began. Prior to listening I had not realised how ingrained in our collective consciousness, this album was. You may not know or like that genre but the chances are you are already familiar with the work.

HAIKU REVIEW Old school MCs serve Kraftwerk and break beats making Something much bigger

One of the originals and one of the best

Iconic, elemental

Last year I bought a cheap Sanyo music centre, and unexpectedly it came with a few recorded cassettes. One of the cassettes was a recording of a radio show from 1984. It was an interesting blast from the past, especially some of the news reports throughout the radio show. One of the things I thought interesting was a claim from some scientist about how breakdancing could contribute to hair loss. Yeah honestly, if this was the sort of thing that people were breakdancing to back in the mid 80s, I can see it. I thought this was a really fun album, and judging by when it came out I can imagine this had an influence on both hip hop and house music going into the late 80s and 90s, while interpolating and drawing influence from Kraftwerk. It's undeniably aged, but I don't care. This was just a really fun and groovy album. Favourite: Planet Rock

I get it. Fantastic

I rather enjoyed listening to this. Clearly a source of a lot of beats and samples.

Cool.

afrikaaaaaaa

This record will make your dick bleed so much, that it will force you to tear it off and feed it to a baby chimpanzee for supper.

é bronca

They sure do like that high pitched 'tetetete' electro sound. I, too, like the high pitched 'tetetete' electro sound. Well played, Afrika Bambaataa.

Funky!

This was way more fun than I anticipated!

the cover!

Great vibes very fun piece of music history

#166/1001 🇺🇸 There are some massive tracks on here at its undeniably a blueprint sound for the genre. It has been imitated, sampled and recycled so many times since. Best tracks: Who You Funkin' At, Lookin For The Perfect Beat, Planet Rock.

I used to have this al I’m many years ago, I had forgotten all about it…. Bloody excellent- great listen yesterday

Whilst hip hop from the 80s always seems to sound more outdated than any other genre does, there is a beauty to the simplicity and the fun of these pioneers. And that's why this album is vital: a key pioneer in the hip hop movement that affected so much of the music scene. Also, gives off GTA Vice City vibes that I can't help but love.

Fun soulful moving

I would like to first say that Afrika Bambaataa is a nasty disgusting human being and I hope he’s paying for his crimes in death. Now judging the music, this was one of the foundations of hip hop, a genre that would go on to change, shape and highly impact the world. So i respect the contributions this album made to a genre that deeply influenced my life and journey through music. But the actual project is just ok, you can hear the infancy of the genre and how they were just catching a vibe with the beat. Nothing really of substance just a new type of music to party to at the time. There are classic records that live on through the many times that they’ve been sampled or redone. So overall this album is probably 2.9 but I bumped it up to a 4 for its impact on music alone.

Old school! Appreciate this pioneer.

Didn't stop bouncing my feet/legs the entire album. Hit the right balance to me of beat, variance, lyrical work, catchiness. Felt like this album captured a lot of the things I really like about hip hop, along with the funk/electronica themes.

Absolute classic

Planet Rock and Renegades of Funk are the obvious classics but this is seminal and foundational hip hop. The beats are strong and the songs are catchy (if not a bit long at times). All in all it's just fun.

I like it 👍🏼🔥

It's okay.

Listening to the foundations of Hip-Hop. Wonderful stuff. Kraftwerk sample on Planet Rock stood out for me, recognised immediately.

People are hard on these early rap albums. This was some real skill

This was early days, hip hop was developing and pioneers like Africa Bambaataa were setting the scene and taking it directions that would start a movement. This is history, appreciate it.

This is a unique album. I really liked it and will probably return to it. I can see how it was hugely influential and probably sampled to death. Mad respect

bizarrely racist top reviews for this one

just fun and goofy 80's hip hop. I love how robotic it is and how much experimentation went on here. its just not really my jam at the end of the day and its tough to enjoy considering his past.

Something different and original.

Could really use some renegades about now. RIP afrika. Though not too much peace given the sins and all. Cool and innovative music.

OH SHIT! BIG DAWG *JUST DIED!!* And left behind a very complicated legacy of sexually assaulting several individuals (I won't get into that though because I don't feel obligated to, and I don't particularly want to either), in between all that "z-z-z"-ing. But anyway this jawn's pretty dope. Very high energy, earlier-era hip-hop that I like a lot, and obviously INCREDIBLY influential. Like, you can hear callbacks to Bambaataa in a lotta places, such as the outro on one of the songs on Things Fall Apart by The Roots, or the intro to one of the songs on Labor Days by Aesop Rock, both making use of the iconic "z-z-z-z-z" ad-lib on Planet Rock. And even with the quality of some of the songs, that is the real draw here. All these songs have a hand in creating the foundation of so many parts of hip-hop. You can hear Beastie Boys in here, you can hear NWA in here, you can hear OutKast in here, pretty much any high-energy hip hop song can be traced back in some way to this album. And the songs are solid too. Obviously "Planet Rock" is a classic, but "Searching For The Perfect Beat" ain't too bad and "Frantic Situation" is a banger too. Overall it's not anything special without context, but I added an extra 0.5 for how much history and influence it has (I almost added one whole point! But that would be excessive). Pretty cool album. 8.3/10

Ahead of it's time. Can hear in it so much that influenced what came after.

There is something in the old school hip hop that has been lost. Which isn’t to say modern hip hop is worse, just that it’s evolved and something had to get left behind.

Liked it more and more each track, first track almost lost me but Renegades of Funk and Frantic Situation are dope

The beats go hard on this one.

I really enjoyed the energy of this album. The flow and the samples just worked well together and created something lively and engaging. I can’t say I was able to focus that much on the lyrics, but I still found it delightful overall. I’d consider giving this another listen somewhere down the road.

This album cover is promising a lot. XD And, you know what? It kinda' delivers. It's so 80s it's nearly painful and I love it for that. Synth heavy, beat heavy, fun focused, a bit cheesy. Yep, them's the 80s. I don't know much about the evolution of hip hop, but apparently this stuff is very important. I'm glad I had the chance to hear it. I've also never listened to 'electro' but if this is what it sounds like, I dig it. Points for historical significance & creativity. I do agree with some of the other reviewers in that these songs are not strong enough for a 6-7 minute run times. From my understanding, all of these songs were made as singles so I get it. I think if they had sat down to create a full cohesive album they could do better but this is a pretty good start.

Even though it was repetitive, I liked it.

I know it all began here- nothing that came after it would be the same..def a compilation and not an album where it feels disconnected and outlet meant for DJs. Until the second half of the album where it really picks up.

suprised hier, nog wel funky

Wow, this is outstanding and right up my street. It's dripping with influence and alignment to lots of my favourites and I've never listened to it before. That's what I love about this challenge. What I don't like is the run of wrong uns I'm on. Between this guy, Clapton, Kanye and MJ. I can't get away from the art and artist debate... This is a tough one as I understand the severity of the accusations, but also love the music and it's influence. Death of the author or moral culpability?

I’ve heard of this guy. He rocks.

Happy funky throwback sounds from another time and space. It's amazing to me this sounds so much better to me now than when it came out.

Really funky old school hip hop, that has a lot of familiar beats. One of the few exceptions to me not liking hip hop.

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Planet Rock, Renegades of Funk This album is a "missing link" discovery for me. It bridges the gap between the genres that came before modern hip-hop: soul/funk/rhythm and bass/jazz and the golden age of hip-hop that emerged in the late 80s/early 90s. I really enjoyed hearing Renegades of Funk. I honestly though that was an original Rage Against The Machine song, and so it was pretty cool and refreshing to hear what is clearly the original version The album cover is outrageously bad; its so bad its almost good.

Dance party! So fun!

*1986. *The first two songs ("Planet Rock" and "Looking for the Perfect Beat") were sampled by Girl Talk! (From 2008's Feed the Animals animal.) This has happened several times over the past 20 years where I finally realize where some of the songs are coming from.*1986. *The first two songs ("Planet Rock" and "Looking for the Perfect Beat") were sampled by Girl Talk! (From 2008's Feed the Animals animal.) This has happened several times over the past 20 years where I finally realize where some of the songs are coming from. *OMG I had no idea that Renegades of Funk was a cover and not an original RATM song. I feel dumb. *This is a fun album. Lots going on. RATING - 7.5/10 *OMG I had no idea that Renegades of Funk was a cover and not an original RATM song. I feel dumb.

Well that was fun

Classic

It's amazing to listen the origins of hip-hop. If you listen this record expecting contemporary or modern sounds you'll not get it, but if you want to really understand the root of the genre this is your album

CHIQUE E PIONEIRO

Solid interesting stuff here.

*Old school hip hop can sometimes sound repetitive and while this isn't immune from that, there is a nice variety and Planet Rock is an all time banger

Odd but fun, feels enjoyably old

Great example of early hip hop evolution, crisp beats, great riffs. A short sharp hit of 80’s electro / hip-hop excellence. 3.7

Quite liked this one. Some cool hip hop

Wasn't sure what to expect going in. This genre is outside of my normal listening habits but I really enjoyed the album.

Culturally relevant and important, if a tad repetitive.

Old school HipHop with now we'll known samples. Yeah

File under: they don’t make albums like this anymore. It’s also so specific and weird that it felt kind of refreshing. Making this sounds like it was miles of fun.

Funk 100% funk

I'm gonna play this on my birthday this year hahaha. Real 80's house dancing music. I loved it.

I really quite liked this. The first track, and most of the album, is a complete mess. Weird vocals, inconsistent samples. But I love a complete mess. The second track Looking for the Perfect Beat had a great synth in it. And I realised I started to recognise so many samples - either used here or from here. Renegades of Funk I obviously knew from the (superior) Rage cover but this was enjoyable. Then I learned about the child abuse. But objectively I was going to give this a 4 before I learned that so I'll stick with it.

Early hip hop album that established the sound and culture of New York hip hop. Creative drum patterns and groove for the electronic music

ICHI NI SAN SHI -reaches levels of FUNK never before recorded

Bangin

J'adore le hip hop old school c'est trop dar

Litt gøy, litt uvørent, på en måte, æ vet ikke, det gjorde ikke varig inntrykk, men va på ingen måte kjedelig og kjipt? (Nu når æ har hørt over 200 album innser æ kor mange av dem æ ikke egentlig bryr mæ om, som sådan? Så mange av dem kor det e vanskelig å si nokka særlig fordi æ ikke e utprega positiv eller negativ.)

Before listening: never heard of this one, wiki is different than what I was expecting based on the cover art. During Listening: OH SO THIS IS THE BLUEPRINT. After Listening: that was fun, my head was bopping along. Love the out of world sounds while staying true to the funky, rock, hip hop sound. Before listening: 0/7 songs saved After listening: 0/7 songs saved (I can appreciate the album but don’t care to add it to my daily rotation.)

I love the cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Renegades of Funk” 😝

Full of classic hip hop beats and the classic sound of the TR-808. You can hear so many artists that are both contemporary and influenced by this sound. Definitely Herbie Hancock vibes. But Beastie Boys, Run DMC and even a bit of Nena Cherry. I wasnt sure I was going to, but I really enjoyed this album.

It's hard to describe Afrika Bambaataa without using the word 'seminal'. More artists than you can shake a stick at cite him as an influence or the reason they got into hip-hop and rap in the first place, and he's one of the most sampled artists in the genre. This album takes you back to practically when it all started, with more rap collabs, horns, electro, beats and funk than you can picture. But it never feels *too* much; AB lets it flow like a mighty river. Check it out.

First listen around I wasn't impressed, but this time around I really enjoyed it more by taking it for what it is. It's rough and the beats are comparatively basic to what we have now, but once you get past that it's a really fun album. Equal parts Parliament and Run-DMC, I really dig the Afrofuturism vibe going on here. Dope album cover and some simple and hard beats here. Other artists took this style and massively improved it, but this isn't a bad album by any means. Point extra to compensate for it's low rating here.

Clubs must have gone crazy to this

The perfect beat, so to speak. This sounded like the future in 1983, and still feels the same now. the beats are so crisp. There's also some half decent rhythms behind all the pulsating electronica. All good groups need a persona. The Soul Sonic Universe added to the mystery by building comic book characters around the music. Recent years have sadly soiled the legacy.

I did NOT know renegades of funk was originally made by this group, what a blast. bumps from front to back

That was a fun experience on my new Super Bass headphones on the subway to work. Seeing as how I may call gangly old white guy that dresses like a goth the quizzical looks I got from the Black Folk was entertaining. It was interesting to hear the source material of samples and cover songs that I have not known the origin of

Love the first song, the next few are just ok. Then Go Go Pop is lit.

Cool

I actually enjoyed this a decent amount, even more than the Run DMC album. 3.5 rounded up

This is fun. Maybe a little sloppy at times, but it's all about the energy. Big, influential album.

This album skirts pretty close to the bone on Dimery's "no compilations" rule., but I don't mind that. Many innovative forms, and especially black innovators, work mostly in the singles medium and are underserved by the "albums only" format of this list. That is true of early hip hop, which was definitely a singles format, but you could also say of many black artists (see also Little Richard, James Brown, Chuck Berry, etc). I looked at the album and presumed this would be a few previously released singles, padded out with a few filler tracks. Not strictly a compilation, but a way for Afrika Bambaataa to squeak onto the list through a technicality, but I'm not upset by that. I was 16 in 1986 and living in Australia. We didn't get to hear a lot of hip hop, but I was entranced by what I did. I was aware of 'Planet Rock' and, if I had been able to source a copy of this album, I totally would have dug it at the time. I loved the heavy drum machine and electro sound that 'Planet Rock' established in 1982 and set the template for much of hip hop for the next five years or so. I listened to exactly this kind of music wherever I could get it around 1986, and this was right up my alley (although my tastes have progressed a bit since then). It was fun to revisit this sound, which I haven't really listened to in decades, but I got back into it. And I got halfway through the album and suddenly my ears pricked up; what the hell is that? it sounds like.... Tackhead. I _loved_ the industrial funk band Tackhead in the late 80s. I memorably saw them play at Base Nightclub in Sydney in 1989. I knew that some members had been in the Sugarhill label house band, but this sounds like Tackhead proper. And, checking the credits, sure enough 'Who You Funkin' With?' and 'They Made A Mistake' were produced and played by Fats Comet a.k.a. Tackhead! Well, what a joy to hear new tracks by one of my all-time favourite bands, otherwise unrepresented on this list. That pushes this album from a 3 to a solid 4. It's going on my want list.

That was pretty awesome. Enjoyed it. 80s hip hop rap rock

Belle decouverte

Honestly? Pretty good. Really liked it. I know it's basics/down-to-the-roots hip hop, but that's why it's so good. Just pure sampling material, and layed a good foundation for those that came after. Pretty surprised with how fresh it sounds, and TO ME did not feel outdated. Very good, imo.

"Planet Rock: The Album" is an old school hip hop album by American DJ, rapper and record producer Afrika Bambaataa (Lance Taylor) & electro-funk and hip hop ensemble Soulsonic Force. Electro, old school hip hop and breakbeat are the Wiki-listed genres. The album is a collection of seven previously-released singles. Multiple producers were used including Arthur Baker, John Robie, Fats Comet Production, Keith LeBlanc, Doug Wimbish and Skip McDonald. Some critics cite this album as one of the best of the 1980's. The album opens with "Planet Rock" and a guy repeating "Body People." People are cheering. There's a beat with laser sounds within. The song famously samples Kraftwerk's "Trans-Euro Express." There's rapping. Great song. "Looking for the Perfect Beat" has varied quick beats. Robotic synth noises. Multiple singers. Scratching. Synth dance music. Female backing vocals. "Renegades of Funk" has rapid-fire rapping. Electronic beats. More synths. Various vocal noises including frantic and crazy laughter. And, yes, this is the song that was covered by Rage Against the Machine. This was a fun album with the music and rapping. The 1980's beats and synth sounds. It's funky. It has one of the best uses of a sample in the Kraftwerk song. The music does have that dated 80's sound but there's no denying its influence on hip hop and also later the 80's/early 90's R&B/pop sound. I was definitely thinking of Janet Jackson and Bobby Brown with that synth melody. Anyway, it was a blast to go back to and I think most people would get that too.

Def a 5 star album cover.

I didn't like it, but it's an important album, glad I listened to it

Killer shit to be banging at the skate rink! Maybe you had to have been there but, it was groundbreaking. 4/ 5

I've never listened to Afrika Bambaataa before, but have been aware of him/them since the 80's. I did like some old school hip hop, but this would've been a bit of a deeper dive at the time and I wasn't that invested. When it comes to the genre, this is the beginning of the time period I really enjoy, though with this project I'm finding that I like more than I thought (recently really liked Biggie Smalls' record for example). I liked listening to this album very much. Every song had elements I really enjoyed, whether the beat or the samples, or the wordplay. I read some of the reviews and a few mentioned some of the legal issues surrounding Afrika Bambaataa, so I looked into that more. To this point I have rated each album on the art and not the artist, so I will do that again this time. I believe the one I'll struggle with the most is Kid Rock (yes, I am aware one of his albums is on the list), but honestly I hated his music back when it came out so maybe it won't be that difficult aside from having to listen to it.

I’ve heard every song on this album before ever hearing this album just because of samples. This is Ur-text hip hop.

Very much goes hard as all hell

basically kicks a planetary amount of ass

Great fun and funky dance music still sounds great nearly 40 years later.

AWESOME!

The bass is awesome

Solid beats, a few I recognized, glad I got introduced to a game changer like this. Very creative

Corny in the besg possible way. I loved this. Not quite a 5 but man it's close

Hearing this for the first time back in the 80’s must’ve been wiiiiiiiiiild.

Yea ok sure! Had a good time, would come again.

(continuous head bobbing to funky rhythms)

It’s funny that now this sounds more like an electronic music album than a hip hop album because of how early this came out. It should be noted that these songs came out earlier in time than this album making it more of a compilation. Must have sounded pretty wild at the time these songs came out. I had no idea “renegades of funk” was a cover! Also you have to put his horrific child molestation stuff aside to even consider all of this.

Coole Old-School Rap mit Elektro-Färbig

Ahead of its time, though a bit repetitive. But still full of innovative production and killer grooves.

Funky. Good vibes.

A very fun and exciting album. Unfortunate that the last two tracks really drop off from what is otherwise a very excellent and unique album.

Awesome album! Break out the 808's, cardboards, and Adidas track pants and lets get dancing!

If I were a breakdancer, this is the music I would dance to.

This is #day332 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… looking for the perfect beat? Look no further! This feels like a hip-hop version of Kraftwerk, and that's exactly what makes it so fascinating. It's interesting to observe how early hip-hop pulled from the electronic music of the time (Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, and others), just as synths were coming into their own (still in their infancy, but already everywhere). Then you've got the early fusion of hip-hop and rock, which makes the whole affair even more exciting. It's fun, experimental, and cutting-edge, definitely one of the cornerstone albums of the genre. Also, I bet it sounds terrific on vinyl. I felt uneasy reading about the accusations, though. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day333.

Liked it, but would not buy for house.

So many good tracks on this album

The Kraftwerk sample immediately sets the tone for the experimental nature of the album, and I particularly liked the meandering progression of 'Looking for the Perfect Beat'. Fantastic album.

this was super fun. there's something really robotic and less syncopated about old school hip hop that usually doesn't work for me but the experimental outer-space-y sounds of this made it fun to listen to. Fav tracks: Looking for the Perfect Beat

A funky fun vibe, noise rock for Rasta-electronica

Dated but really great, I feel like this is one of those albums put on the list mostly for its context but it’s actually really good aswell. It has such a fun, jumpy atmosphere which feels like it definitely inspired public enemy with their debut 2 years after and other hip hop groups around this time. The samples used were great aswell, Kraftwerk especially. A lot of this wasn’t even really rap other than who you funkin’, it was mostly chanting with great beats. Favourites: all but go go pop really. Overall, 8/10.

Groundbreaking

drei bis vier

84% Best: Looking for the Perfect Beat; Renegades Of Funk; Go Go Pop Must-Hear? Sure

Delightful. This album, during the right time, during the right mood, would hit just right.

Mijn taks qua hiphop is bereikt, maar Africa Bambaataa maakt gelukkig meer electrodisco dan pure rauwe hiphop. Dat er dan wat gerapt wordt, vind ik in dit geval niet erg. Ze rapzingen op een blije manier, om te dansen en plezier te hebben. Net als hun funkfamilie van Parliament. Het begint gelijk klassiek met het titelnummer Planet Rock. 80s beats, synths, spacey geluidjes. Ja, dit is wel leuk om te luisteren. Een klein uurtje electrodisco doet de zinnen verzetten. Niks mis mee op zijn tijd.

Old school hip hop in its absolute best form. No skits, decent length, backing music is really enjoyable. So 80s. Very enjoyable

This was really fun, very funky. Not sure I'd listen often so it gets a 4.

This was great!

Never listened to this, but I recognize a good bit of it from other songs. 4.

This album seems kinda cheesy, but it's clear how influential this was on the hip-hop movement and beyond (Rage!). There are all sorts of references to this album that continue to pop up in other genres.

This was a fun listen. The renegades of funk is covered well by Rage Against the Machine.

I’ve been a fan of the title track for a while, but I’d never really gotten around to listening to the album yet, so I was quite delighted to get this today. While Planet Rock is still the best song (of course), the rest of the album was definitely good enough to warrant a 5 star rating. One unexpected thing that I enjoyed was how disco-influenced everything is, and that allows it to bridge the gap between the Progressive Soul from the 70’s that I enjoy with early hip-hop like this album. Edit: ok maybe O was a bit over-enthusiastic Favorite Track: Planet Rock

I know the name only. This album is great!! It’s so much fun!!

Nothing else on the album is as iconic as “Looking for the Perfect Beat” but on the flip side the whole album is quality.

addicting and future of music

Planet Rock will always be one of my all time favorite jams. Renegade is interesting. Of course everything is of its time, but this is a solid album. Just came across the lyric “what the heck” in They Made A Mistake. It was a more innocent time.

Quality

Good

It’s a party!

I had a lot of fun but made me question why is this on the list

solid early rap album. there's something about this era of rap that i really enjoy, the beats are antiquated, yet punchy and fun. the rapping is also pretty solid, although nothing out of the ordinary for the time. i especially enjoyed the title track, but also the track 'renegades of funk' as well.

Brown and black kids of a certain era know this to be one of the first albums to combine eltro-synth with hip-hop & rap. I still hear Planet Rock played at local events since we have a large Latino population that was into this and freestyle back in the 80s. Good times.

Really had a good time listening to this one. Listened to it twice in fact.

Good album. Probably would normally rate it a 3 but it’s importance to hip-hop history jumps it up to a 4

Fun shit

I like it! 4

first listen classic stuff, i've definitely heard several of these tracks

Fun listen! The rapping is extremely basic, but c'mon, it was 1986. What I found way more compelling, though, was the production - it really felt like very early industrial music! It's interesting to hear the common origin of two wildly disparate genres! Fave tracks - "Planet Rock" and "Renegades of Funk" are both bangers.

It sounds exactly what it is, a collection of singles to make a full album. It's been done before, there are 2 on this list that I've already listened to. Doesn't make it bad, just less coherent. For what it is and when it was recorded, I think it's wonderful. I like every song, even though some are straight up too long.

This isn't my usual type of thing, so I wasn't expecting much It was actually super catchy and I quite enjoyed it! Parts of it sounded super familiar 4 ⭐️

High Energy, rap basis, great bass, inspiration for red hot chili peppers

Oh... I liked this one. 80s synth funk

So that's where RATM got that song from. A fun, out there sound. Sometimes a little sparse sounding, kind of typical of that early synth use.

Тот самый звук, который сломал время. Электрическим зарядом, прошитым сквозь бетонные джунгли 80-х, где уличные фонари горели как звёзды, запертые в клетках из бетона и стекла. Как сигнал из будущего для тех, кто жил в настоящем, но уже тогда искал выход из него. Африка Бамбаатаа был одним из первых, кто свёл вместе электронику, фанк и хип-хоп. Взял 808-ю драм машину, добавил басов, положил всё это под крутой фанковый сэмпл и выпустил в массы. А массы взяли подхватили. Именно под эти миксы Африки и Кула Херка тогда отрывались на тусах и крутили Power Move’ы первые би-бои. Это музыка не для ушей, она для тела, которое не может устоять на месте. И слушать такое нужно, конечно же, только на кассетном бумбоксе, а как иначе?

Very good album didn't know that's where so many good samples came from, have listened to a few songs before and liked it!

1. Planet Rock 2. Go Go Pop Bummer but this dude was a huge child molester for decades without being jailed. Kinda ruined the listening experience reading his Wiki halfway through

Fun album!

Yeah the dude is a diddle but god these songs hit so hard

hahaha was für en wildi wuche grüezi afrika bambaataa, grüezi kraftwerk spontan versprühets harti vibes vo dem infamous hannibal buress clip: https://youtu.be/SzFVYRrYNWQ?si=z_RUIsPCsvJ7YEhs aber das mag dene hip hop pioniere verzeiht si trotzdem hetti mir das album inere instrumental version gester fast chli meh spass gmacht, aber spass isch spass: und de hani definitiv gha han sogar fast es sponti dance battle mit minere crew gstartet 4 baby freezes während dem ich en spraydose ide hand han

slayful. iconic beats, instrumental electronic sounds. lyrics are almost punk in a way i can't explain. looking for the perfect beat IS perfect. perfectly encapsulates what i love about 80s nu disco/dance music. after interrogating my mom, this is the type of song she has no idea who sings it or what its called but has def heard it in the clurb. even though its well before my time and gone forever, long live Peppers (city of industry,ca) <3 main chorus vocals on go go pop hit.

Realy fun, very brave possibly to a fault. I really enjoyed this album but can understand if others don't.

Black Beastie Boys got an 808 for Christmas and love it a little too much.

Funky AF, I love the older groove that this puts out. I can see this not being to everyone’s taste, but I’m a fan.

I'm a sucker for old school b-boy electro.

Really interesting and unexpected

OMG, This album feels so 80s. I thought of the Superbowl Shuffle on one of the songs (Renegades of Funk, I think) and although I wouldn't listen to it again intentionally, I wouldn't skip it if something came on my playlist. And the album art!

😂😂💯

Very funky indeed. It was like a classic 80s hip-hop (run DMC or something) but with a really strong African flavour that brough a little more joy to it than its US cousin might have had. Each song was a trifle too long, but it was great party music (perfect for a Wednesday morning in work, obviously)

This is the third day in a row with a rap album. Each day it’s from a decade earlier and each album is better. The lesson: old school hip hop is the best hip hop and all the newer stuff stinks. Anyway, classic rap from back in the day, fantastic stuff. I miss the old MCs.

unexpectedly entertaining. Apparently I have a thing for old school Rap/R&B/Whatever this is.

## In-Depth Review of *Planet Rock: The Album* by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force Afrika Bambaataa's *Planet Rock: The Album*, released in 1986, stands as a pivotal moment in the evolution of hip-hop and electronic music. This album not only showcases Bambaataa's innovative approach to music but also encapsulates the cultural and social dynamics of the time. The collaboration with the Soulsonic Force brings forth a unique blend of hip-hop, funk, and electronic sounds that would influence generations of artists. ### **Musical Composition and Production** *Planet Rock: The Album* is characterized by its groundbreaking use of synthesizers, drum machines, and samples. The production, primarily handled by Arthur Baker and John Robie, merges elements of hip-hop with European electronic music, drawing significant inspiration from bands like Kraftwerk. - **Instrumentation**: The album prominently features the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which has since become a staple in hip-hop production. This machine's distinctive sounds—robotic handclaps, deep bass kicks—create an energetic backdrop that defines much of the album's tracks. - **Production Techniques**: The recording process was innovative for its time, utilizing simple studio equipment to create complex sounds. Baker and Robie employed techniques such as layering synthesizer lines and manipulating vocal effects through digital delay units like the Lexicon PCM41. This resulted in a sound that was both futuristic and deeply rooted in the street culture of New York City. - **Tracks Overview**: - **"Planet Rock"**: The title track exemplifies the album's ethos with its infectious beat and catchy hooks. It combines rapping with rhythmic chants that encourage listener participation. - **"Looking for the Perfect Beat"**: This track continues the theme of exploration in music, blending various genres to create a unique sound. - **"Renegades of Funk"**: A remix that highlights Bambaataa's ability to reinterpret classic funk elements within a modern context. ### **Lyrics and Themes** The lyrical content of *Planet Rock* often reflects themes of unity, celebration, and cultural pride. Bambaataa’s lyrics serve not only as entertainment but also as a call to action for listeners to embrace music as a means of expression and community building. - **Cultural Commentary**: Songs like "Who You Funkin' With?" feature lyrics that celebrate hip-hop culture while also addressing social issues faced by urban communities. Bambaataa’s background as a leader in the Zulu Nation informs his message of positivity and empowerment. - **Engagement with Audiences**: The call-and-response style prevalent in many tracks invites listeners to engage actively with the music, fostering a sense of community during performances. ### **Influence on Music and Culture** The impact of *Planet Rock: The Album* extends far beyond its initial release. It played a crucial role in shaping not only hip-hop but also various electronic genres. - **Electro Movement**: The album is often credited with helping to establish electro as a distinct genre. Its innovative use of electronic sounds paved the way for future artists in hip-hop, techno, and house music. - **Legacy**: Many contemporary artists cite Bambaataa’s work as an influence on their sound. The techniques developed in this album can be heard in modern productions across genres, from pop to EDM. - **Cultural Significance**: Bambaataa’s role as a cultural ambassador for hip-hop helped elevate the genre’s status globally. His emphasis on peace and unity resonated during a time when urban violence was rampant, making his message particularly poignant. ### **Pros and Cons of *Planet Rock: The Album*** #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of electronic music with hip-hop created a new sonic landscape that was ahead of its time. - **Cultural Impact**: The album not only influenced musicians but also contributed significantly to the broader cultural movement surrounding hip-hop. - **Engaging Lyrics**: Bambaataa’s lyrics promote positivity and community involvement, making them relevant even today. - **Timeless Tracks**: Many songs from this album remain staples in DJ sets and are frequently sampled by contemporary artists. #### Cons - **Limited Commercial Success**: While influential, some tracks did not achieve significant commercial success compared to mainstream pop at the time. - **Niche Appeal**: The heavy reliance on electronic sounds may alienate listeners who prefer traditional hip-hop or funk styles. - **Sample Controversies**: The use of Kraftwerk samples led to legal issues that overshadowed some aspects of the album's legacy. ### **Conclusion** Afrika Bambaataa's *Planet Rock: The Album* is more than just a collection of songs; it is a landmark achievement that encapsulates the spirit of innovation within hip-hop culture. Its blend of electronic beats, engaging lyrics, and cultural significance has left an indelible mark on music history. As we continue to see its influence in modern genres, it is clear that *Planet Rock* will remain an essential part of the narrative surrounding hip-hop’s evolution.

Nice nice definitely like the last couple songs more but could see the rest being cooler in a better setting

I love an 80's electronic cowbell.

At the risk of sounding insufferable, this fucking slapped. 4.5 if I could.

I liked it. Very classic, and I can definitely recognize pieces of it.

Electro classic. Personal favourite is Frantic Situation 4/5

Enjoyed the first half a lot. Glad to have heard it Rating: 4.0

Might have been 5 if not for me failing to separate art from artist - fun music

PLANET ROCK! PLANET ROCK!

The first big electro/hop hop crossover. And it hits brilliantly on the front. But by the end, it's getting very samey

Some really good songs on here and Planet Rock is such a fun element of my musical youth.

Interesting album. I am positively surprised. I would describe it as HipHop-Funk. Reminds me of MC Hammer

Super classic, sounded great.

i had so much fun with this one! 3.5

Yo! This album has amazing beats and was super fun to listen to. Old school hip hop and funk together is a magical combination.

Knew of Africa Bambaattaa. Maybe even mentioned a few times in conversation growing up, but never purposefully listened to them. Wow. Genius! So great on so many levels.

Some great sounds from hiphop was truley experimental. Nice funk combo

Proper old school, great stuff.

A milestone in music making, but it hasn't dated that well.

Party in my ears + Kraftwerk. I’m in.

Old school funk

Great party album!! Took me back to the block parties in the early 90s!

could i write poetry to this? y

Hip hop roots. 4/5

I liked it a lot!

Funky

This is the encyclopedia of hip hop samples and extemporaneous soundscapes from the 80s. Possibly the most influential beats?

The pioneering electro sounds, drum machine rhythms, and danceable grooves across Planet Rock make it one of the most monumentally influential records in the origins of hip-hop, electronica, and other contemporary genres still sampling it today.

East coast hip hop and electro. Such a crazy unique album, at least for me. I am not too well versed on the origins of hip hop but this definitely sounds like early hip hop. Great electro beats really carry this album, they're simple and sometimes annoying but they somehow just work. Vocals are also great, good production lets them shine. I don't want to give the album too much praise just because of how influential it seems to have been, I want to judge it just on how I enjoyed it. I liked this album enough on its own, some songs were a little long, beats got a little old in those. It's really cool just to hear how fair hip hop has come, especially with the other essential hip hop albums I've heard so far. May revisit for a couple songs or to show other people. 3.5/5

# Playlist track - Planet Rock # Notes - Very cool to recognize the hook from "Planet Rock" from pretty much everywhere. When I went to find an example and figured out it's originally from Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express. - That sample instantly throws my mind to the late 90s and early 2000s. - I do understand the folks that find the album a bit repetitive and that it didn't age too well. You've heard it a thousand times, but in other places. - Insane cover art!

this is real old school breakdance hip hop. seriously this is the kind of music where there's two teams composed of young men in flashy streetwear flipping and spinning at one another for hours on end. one may be initially turned off by the slightly corny plinky-plonky synth arps but this album is full of classic bombastic programmed beats and crazy stabs.

Early warm hiphop. Very much appreciated

This is great! Lots of superb beats, outstanding instrumentation, and the rapping is quite catchy. Had my foot tapping the whole way through.

Komplett vergessen - 80ger Rap!!!

Me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba. Como hip hop rap africano, pero guay.

Fun. 1986 Hip hop. Work it.

I had heard Afrika Bambaataa in some first spots before, but never his own albums as far as I can remember. This was a key fun listen. The second and third tracks were my favorite. If I knew Rage Against the Machine's Renegades of Funk was a cover, I forgot it. I think the original and cover stands nicely as separate versions. I'd definitely listen to this again.

This makes me nostalgic for early days of Ryan Higa on YouTube. Could not help but dance for much of the album...

Big, big beats. The rapping is fun, but the beats don't switch up too much, leading to a little bit of fatigue. Still fun. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Looking For the Perfect Beat", "Who You Funkin' With?"

This album is fun. Good beats, good flow, good times. It's not trying to be anything else or make any big statements—it just wants you to get funky and dance. If I had one (small) criticism about this album, it's that all the songs are pretty long, but unlike with Chic, where it felt stagnant, or with the Britpop groups like Gorillaz and Super Furry Animals, where it just felt pretentious, I don't mind it too much here because the lyrics are always flowing and the music is always changing to keep you engaged. This album has so many crazy good bass lines. It's got orchestra hits and drum machines and record scratches that remind me of cheesy 80s/90s dance music, but in the best way. It's just fun. Favorite tracks: "Renegades of Funk" The original that inspired Rage Against the Machine. "Frantic Situation"—great song with a fun, almost new-wave break down toward the end. "Who You Funkin With?"—whooo, that guitar riff at the beginning. That bass line! 4.5/5 for me

Pretty fun especially RENEGADES OF FUNK!!

Pretty awesome

Groovy and funky stuff. Early hip hop, but danceable - could easily hear multiple of the tracks in a DJ set. Quiet repetitive. A bit low on bass, but that could also be my earplugs.

Awesome - this gave me nostalgia for a time before I was even born. I suspect plenty of the 80s movies I watched featured songs from this album. Overall it's a lot of fun, I'll be coming back to it

Ground-breaking et cetera - and it opens with "Planet Rock" :)

Obviously dated, but iconic and important. You can't view it purely with a modern lens.

A bit repetitive

Ah, the good old 808 drum machine, what an iconic sound. There are some nice tracks on this one, Planet Rock for sure, or Renegades of Funk. I don't know about the other stuff about Lance Taylor, as it seems that no charges where brought against him.

Second time I listened to it and now I actually liked it. Don’t know what changed but I I had fun listening to it

So great! Love it! 4.5

never ask a woman her age, a man his salary, Wikipedia why we don't hear about Afrika Bambaataa anymore If I'm going to be honest, this is pretty enjoyable 80's hip-hop for me (though I'd rank Paul's Boutique, It Takes A Nation of Millions, 3 Feet High & Rising, etc. all higher) Maybe it's just been a good day for me, or maybe it's the blend of rap, funk & electronica doing something to transcend its 80's-ness HL: title track, "Renegades of Funk", "Looking for the Perfect Beat", "Go Go Pop" December 18, 2023

4.0

Yes. This^^^

Fun

Love old-school hip-hop.

This is an interesting band. Super funky and the album art is hilarious. Yo what the fuck they have a track on here called Renegades of Funk. Did Beastie Boys cover this track?? I thought that was their own original song. Well half way through that track now and I don't think it's anything like the beastie boys song. HAHAHA I'm retarded I meant Rage Against the Machine this whole time. lol Who You Funkin With. I like that title.

This album was a lot of fun, some nice 80s electro hip-hop

Afrika Bambaataa Oke, dit is even heel iets anders, hoor ik daar nu hiphop op elektrobeats? Uit welk jaar komt dit? 1986?! Dit kan ik zeker waarderen, al komt het nu wel licht gedateerd over. Een ervaring is het zeker. Het zijn niet de allerbeste bars (Zih Zih Zih Zih Zih), maar het werkt wel voor mij. De raps zijn bijna aandoenlijk, alsof het babys first rhymes zijn haha. Maar ooh jee, wat zijn sommige van die beats lekker zeg. Waar het in Planet Rock allemaal een beetje stereotiep en bijna als parodie voelt, zijn de andere nummers stukken beter. They Made a Mistake heeft wel de meest standaard beat, jammer, maar nog steeds erg funky Oh wacht, er zitten toch nog wat vreemde, spacende stukjes in, loev het Sommige nummers duren net wat lang, anders had dit zomaar 5 sterren kunnen zijn. Favo's: Looking for the Perfect Beat, Renegades of Funk, Who You Funkin' With?

Hip, elevating and totally DIY, with the bleeping Euro-Kraut-y action adding considerably to the pleasing vibes. Seems the genuine article and an authentic record of being present at the creation. The influence could not be more obvious; “Who You Funkin With?” makes Run DMC sound like an AB tribute act. They get plenty of mileage out of a pretty spare palette and toolset. See “Go Go Pop,” which grooves refreshingly and jazzily, and pleases fully, within a quite limited range, both sonically and lyrically. “They Made a Mistake” wins through some surprising hooks, bells and whistles.

Absolutely love the title track -- big fan -- was absolutely huge when I was a VJ back in the mid 1980s. Didn't find the "album" was really worthwhile, though. It's just an assemblage of singles in varying quality, none of them as good as Planet Rock.

Opener is an all time great. rest of the album doesn't hold that standard but some great musical journeys which have been so influential bringing genres together and still sounds fresh and modern despite being sampled to death. 3.9

interesting early hi-hop record. advanced for its period. 8/10.

Me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba. Como hip hop rap africano, pero guay.

This is remains fantastic

The funky beginning to many great records

Here we come to yet another album with a complicated history. In terms of legacy, this album is titanic in hip-hop history, collecting a set of singles that were massively influential in developing the sound profile of early hip-hop and the electro subgenre. Afrika Bambaataa was huge in early hip-hop. Unfortunately, he was also a huge child molester, which is a sentiment that I wish I didn't have to express about so many artists on this list (seriously, what the fuck was wrong with rock stars in the 70s?). The music on the album is actually really cool given the technology that they were working with. For as much as 808s are discussed lovingly today, they often sound a bit thin on the track, but they fit in really well here, especially on Looking For the Perfect Beat. The synthesizers are similarly really cool, and the mix is really powerful. The rapping is...well it's early rap. Luckily, groups like Run DMC were about to come along and teach folks how to rap with style. Luckily, they tend to employ a lot of repetition and call and response, so the rapping generally doesn't weigh down the songs too much 4/5

funky funk that gets extra funky

Uh oh another fun early rap album what are we to do? Uh oh more bitching cover art what are we to do?

This was exactly as good of a time as the album cover promised me. It's a shame the dude is a pest.

A classic, but of course a little bit dated. I would say a high 4 though.

8/10 such a fun, groovy, funky album it has a lot going for it, and while it might be a little rough in some parts, they had a great vision and stuck with it very well

Highly influential early hip-hop.

Funky as hell. I loved the rhythms and beats of the record throughout. I was unprepared for how much I enjoyed this one.

I enjoyed it a lot, but it lacks something (I can't identify precisely what) to be a perfect 5-star record. Classical albums are defined as it, usually, for fair reasons and this is not different, even with this lack of some spicy that I expect in this kind of music. So I hope to have more Afrika Bambaataa on the 1001 list to try again and ensure that the problem was me or my mood and not the album.

Well this is nothing but entertaining

Although this was new music to me, it was a very nostalgic listen. Record scratches! Simple lyrics! Quite a lot of fun!

Some old school hip-hop...awesome! Well, at least I thought that it would be and then the thrill kind of died as it started to sound a bit stale to me.

Interesting and enjoyable throwback.

As I expected from the cover, funky groovy and a bit wacky.

Classic album, highly influential and the beats are still great.

The production on the album doesn’t exactly hold up. I would have picked something more recent if there’s only one Afrika Bambaataa album listed. Putting that aside, there’s a lot here to enjoy.

When I first heard the ‘Planet Rock’ single, in 1982 or ‘83, I couldn’t believe my ears. I was a proper post-punk, futurist kid. My modern world revolved around the synthesiser’s song, to quote Ultravox, and Kraftwerk were the Godfathers of this sound. Then I heard this… hey, this is Kraftwerk’s ‘Trans Europe Express’ with people talking over it? Talking in a ridiculous rhythmic and rhyming fashion, with more drums and bass added?! What the fuck, how DARE they!? Hang on…..it’s…..quite good….it’s actually brilliant!! ‘Planet Rock’ led me down a new path. Hip-hop, or ‘Electro’, as we knew it back then, opened up a new world of music for me; funk, go-go, techno, and house. Music in technicolour! Returning to this album; released in ‘86, it was four years after the original release of the ‘Planet Rock’ single, and it’s a bit of a catch-up. Still fabulous though.

Fun album. Lots of these songs I recognize as samples from a lot of hip hop I’ve heard through the years. Fun, upbeat, good beats, solid 4!

It's interesting to consider how this is pretty much contemporary with the Run D.M.C. album from a few days ago, but seems like an entirely different era. I guess the progression of the "schools" of rap and hip-hop is pretty damn compressed. Still liked this a lot, crazy glam space flare and all. Very funky.

classic hip hop.

Me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba. Como hip hop rap africano, pero guay.

nice блин я их откуда-то знаю, но откуда не могу вспомнить...

Peace, Unity, Love and Having Fun: the motto of the Universal Zulu Nation. Fun album, I can picture kids breakin' in Harlem project common areas to the new electronic and rap sounds of Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force circa 1979. Planet Rock and Looking for a Beat are great jams. A party album through and through.

Somehow simultaneously laid back and ready for a party

Damn, yeah, this was goood

An electronic funk spin on what feels like east coast rap to me

1. Hip-hop isn't a favourite of mine. 2. Electronica isn't a favourite of mine. 3. It's dated. 4. Despite the three strikes I like this. It just sounds like they're having a whole bunch of fun and that means that the listener is having fun too. Who You Funkin' With has the funkiest bass and some of the funniest raps. I'm in the uncomfortable position of debating between 4 and 5 stars.

I don't know if this formally could be called go go but it's adjacent and I have gotten a lot of exposure and respect for that genre in the last few years.

I haven't been up to date with all the things happening around Afrika Bambaataa so I'll ignore that and just focus on the album and not the person. Legendary old school hip-hop. Afrika Bambaataa delivers splendid beats and the level of production is hard to find in todays mainstream hip-hop with some exceptions like Run the Jewels. This is definitely worth a listen if you're interested in hip-hop. A fun fact is that Rage Against the Machine got a cover for Renegades of Funk that's even better than the original.

after the 12” songs > before the 12” songs

Wasn't expecting a rap album tbh

Grab your Kangol, your shell toes and get ready to bust some moves.

7/10. Funky fun, with occasional annoying electronic distortion.

It’s definitely a fun part album. I don’t know if I’d listen to it regularly but I can see myself coming back to it occasionally. I like how different their sound is. It can be a bit cheesy but I like that

Very cool album. Enjoy every track. Wasn’t blown away or truly invested tho.

Another album that you can see throughout music and culture.

I'm sorry, but an average of below 3 stars is criminal here. I'm not even a hip-hop fan!

This was old school, break dancing cool. I really enjoyed the beats they were putting down. Very enjoyable and I say I was initially put off but the album cover.

It screams "the 80's"

Muito bom.

Didn't Mr. Bambaataa get Me-Too'd? Not that it would matter too much- Michael will never be dropped from GOAT status, so why not keep this on? This is pretty fun, but like a lot of early hip-hop, it doesn't have a whole lot of shelf life for me. I appreciate the beats and some of the production choices, but it's not one that I'll ever put on regularly. Still, when I do, it's terrific background noise. B-

A little slow for my taste

-4 might be a bit high, probably a low 4, but it's been my favorite hip hop album so far, I think -Pretty cool instrumentals overall I like the use of stereo in quite a few of the tracks -Fun fast rhyme on "Renegades of Funk - The Latin Remix" -Great bass lines in "Who You Funkin' With?" and "They made A Mistake"

Very spacy, not my cup of tea though

Bizarrely, I was listening to the Swordfish soundtrack earlier today for the first time in absolute years - it has a version of Planet Rock on it, a song I am very familiar with. I was not however, familiar with any of the other songs on this album and it turned out to be startingly inventive, groovy and totally rocking in parts. Wish I could have gotten hold of this way back when I discovered electro for the first time.

A really fun album. It is old school hip hop so it's great.

Big banger

Fun but hasnt aged very well

For its time I’m sure it was revolutionary, but hasn’t aged all too gracefully. Obligatory fuck Bambaataa

First song is alright, the rest of it just isn't really good. 3/5.

It’s cool, but it does not feel like an album.

Planet Rock is undeniably one of the most influential tracks of all time, but it was never meant to be an album.

Day911 - the real old school hip hop. just don’t google afrika bambaataa.

Ordinary

Oh lord was this one FUNNY. Just a bunch of dudes messing around with rhymes and sound effects and thinking they sounded AWESOME. like who hasn't been there

Real talk: music has moved on in virtually all the ways that define this music. It’s kinda corny. But there’s something charmingly earnest about it and it won me over a bit. That was gonna push me to a 4 but then Spotify played Grandmaster Flash after this album finished and I was reminded of what a true seminal genius of the genre is capable of. That knocked it down a peg.

Love the production. Simple but effective.