Planet Rock: The Album

An artifact of hip-hop, one of the original albums to put it right in the spotlight. Sounds "dated" but more so as a building block to the progress of the genre.

This is fun but it is a bit simple. Definitely something I can imagine that would have been put on at a party. Favorite songs were Planet Rock, Renegades of Funk, and Who You Funkin’ With?.

Not my thing. 5/10. Favorite track was "Who You Funkin' With?"

Original hip hop sound

Tricky one, didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. It’s better than albums I’ve rated 2 star but not as good as most of the 3 stars. It’s a creative musical arrangement & a mix of genres that works well on some tracks. I’ll error on the high side.

Seems fun, but it wasn't my cup of tea

Peak 80s rap. What's not to like?

This is an historical document. The roots of hip hop on this album are hardly recognizable today. No bitches, hoes, or calls to violence. The theme of the album is to rock it and shake it, so refreshing. Even today, it’s excellent music for a party or something to play at the business end of a chronic break. It’s not, however, something I’d play often, with its repetition and simple beats.

Average Not my thing

Quality

Tracks felt like they went on for an eternity, a few decentish ones but nothing massively standout

An interesting, sonic journey to say the least. It's a shame hip-hop/rap isn't this fun and zany anymore, it's all about being hard. Still though, not my genre.

Good

I wanted to like this more than I do. I suppose it is important, but I just find it to be boring. The beats are just too unvaried. I will say it does have a unique sound, but that's about all it has going for it in my opinion. Ready to turn it off after two and a half tracks.

Not really my jam, but can see the grooves and the influence

Fun to listen to, but kind of all over the place, and other old school hip hop artists are much better.

Me and my big mouth. Only yesterday was I saying it was ages since I got some hip hop and then right on cue this comes along. Just like buses I get two in a row but this ain’t no magic bus (clue there for what I’d rather have had) So I refer to my (too many now) previous reviews of this genre which I hate. 1/5 15/4/25

Phunky hip hop raspster jam that I couldn't really get through - I quit. Got totally irritating after about 20 minutes.

So epic.

It’s a party!

Pretty good and it was over quick. But ultimately not for me

Objectively understand the significance, but I feel like they stiffed their producer or something

Traveling today, so only able to listen through this album once. Would a second listen be more fun or exciting? If we accept that this record is a hip hop record, then it is more inventive, lively, and engaging than most of the others we've heard. It is real people playing in a room together, focusing on call and response, group singing, and interaction rather than flow and spitting bars. That may not be the artform at its most technical, but its welcoming and enjoyable. Some of the reviews here say that it sounds dated. Yeah, antedated. This is yesterday's tomorrow today! 3 There is plenty of liner note to go with this record I see. The opening track especially, I am to understand, is terribly original and important; it blew minds and opened doors and such. Someone calls it ‘a profound record’. Well that may be, but it sounds like complete shit to me. I found much of this album about as edifying as a room full of 1st years who have just discovered the DJ button on the keyboard. Still - I like the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack a lot and I sense it owes a debt so I am throwing in another half mark to verify that this is better than the Bill Evans Trio. 1.5/5

Thats a whole lotta sound!

Accidentally started listening to Planet Rock, the remixes, but this was great when I found the right album. It's been super interesting to trace the progression of hip-hop via this project; this was its bright-eyed and forward-thinking progenitor.

I was quite enjoying this album until I dug a little deeper into Afrika Bambaataa (who sounds like he might be an appalling human being). I'll separate the art from the artist for this one. Speaking of art, the album cover is next level! I enjoyed the listen, although I found it a little dated. Energy was pretty high! Solid 3

I'm so disappointed to find out that Afrika Bambaataa is a piece of human shit - so I have to use my minus 1 star rule for creeps (though maybe it should be more!) I enjoyed the music - especially the samples from Kraftwerk and knowing how many artists I love have sampled from this album! Its a piece of music history and provides a lot of context for the story of hiphop. One of the things which is fantastic about this challenge is finding out how many songs that I've only ever known the cover versions of(and has no idea they were covers!) Renegades of Funk is even better by Rage Against the Machine, but I enjoyed hearing its origin.

Good old-school funky fun. Love the beats.

2/5

This is the most fun I've had listening to a hip hop album. Driving production, and spitting that makes you feel part of the game. Whaat a great time

Awesomely funky and SO 80's.

I recognized the music from being sampled so often, but as an album it just didn't work for me.

vibes of 2000s rap scene

Took me a bit to get into this, but enjoyed it by the end

I like electro but a bit samey

Dug this considerably. And kudos to helping, indirectly, to introduce me to Chromeo, my fav Electro-Funk-Dance bands.

Fun, but not good

Not for your boy

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

Fun and influential, but doesn't exactly hold up to modern listening outside of the novelty

This pretty much feels like the same track going on and on and on and on… I’m bored.

Based on track 1 this was going to be 2 stars but Looking For the Perfect Beat has definitely won a third Star.. for now.

Le charme un petit peu old school dure à peu près 2 chansons. Ce qui est bien, mais pas top.

It's alright, pretty damn dated

It was interesting to hear Kraftwerk reworked, but for the most part this didn't hold my attention enough.

Can't deny the groovy beats. Also blew my mind when I found out RATM didn't do the original Renegades of Funk.

I enjoyed the first song, and then every single song on this album sounds the exact same. So it is a fun vibe. But just don’t expect any diversity in this album.

was not as bad as I expected. The title cut sounds familiar... can't place it... not my bag, but did not upset me so I feel generous this Friday

когда начну понимать и запоминать реп, надо будет вернуться. ренегейдз ов фанк неожиданные

Day 95 - March 19th, 2024 It's old school hip-hop. It sounds like nostalgia, but that's why I love it! :) 3/5

What?

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.

Silly but fun.

WTF is this? The village people in space? Just kidding. Of course i know this album. I've often thought that the reason I love grunge music so much is because the guitars sound so much like the guitars in my favorite band, Black Sabbath. Sort of like, you can tell the jar came from the well. I feel like this is the well for all hip hop.

FINALLY SOMETHING THAT ISN’T MEDIOCRE BRITISH ROCK.

Very thin beats with pointless lyrics. Kinda missing the 2 things that make hip hop worth listening to.

Figura esencial del Rap y Hip-Hop, su influencia es inabarcable a nivel musical y conceptual (Zulu Nation). Recoge el testigo de George Clinton y Sly Stone (también de James Brown, Sun Ra, Herbie Hancock, Parliament, Kool Keith y muchos otros) e incorpora sonidos más asociados a la electrónica blanca. Es uno de los pioneros del rap, tanto como MC, como Disc Jockey y como generador de ritmos y éxitos. Sin ir más lejos aparece en la imprescindible película Beat Street. Colaboró con mayor o menor fortuna con James Brown, John Lydon, Sex Pistols, UB 40... Este es un disco especial, recopila sus singles hasta ese año y entre ellos, el mayor éxito: Planet Rock (con samples de Krafwerk nada menos) aunque también otros trallazos como Looking for the perfect beat (sampleado poco después por Bomb the bass en Beat Dis). Renegades of funk usa una Weya de Manu Dibango (que se hizo famoso cuando fue sampleado por Michael Jackson en Thriller) aunque luego la versionaron Rage against the machine hasta hacerla casi suya. Go go pop es una delicia Hip-hop en cave pop que podría haber sido compuesta por los Tom Tom Club. Publicado en el 86, no es un año cualquiera es el de Licence to ill (Beastie Boys, que suenan a Who you Funkin´with? y They made a mistake sobremanera) o Raising Hell (RUN-DMC, que suenan a lo que suena todo el disco).

Culturally I’m sure this is significant. I can imagine nothing sounded quite like it at the time and that others sounded similar after. The raps are very dated, the mixing is well done and the bass is funky. No relisten-ability.

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.

this was fun! nothing more and nothing less

I know the first song from playing NBA 2k for most of my life, so that was a fun surprise. otherwise it was some dun beats but nothing special

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

Funk from the future. We are now in the future but I guess still not far enough in the future.

Man, this is definitely a dud for me. Perhaps it had a cultural impact of some sort but I'll just be ignorant enough to say that this aged like milk, just like the child abuse alleagations.

Pure Shit

I don’t know if this is good music or not, but I know I don’t like it at all.

Planet Rock’s really the only song that’s any good. Can’t remember if they break this album in Shaun Of The Dead, but that’s probably what it deserves. Not interesting enough to make it worth listening to the Gary Glitter of hip hop.

silly, funky, danceable. Quirky but fun, interresting take on hip hop. favorite track: Who you funkin' with? Overall score: 6.0/10.

Relentless braggadocio, booming beats, BOOM-tastic, very much of its time

Did not enjoy - sounds like a scrubs parody of a hip hop track & he’s a nonce.

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

A got a bit bored ngl

It was fine but a bit monotonous

Started off cool but then was a bit samey

This is another fun album, love the interpolated Kraftwerk and the old-school vibes. Faves: Planet Rock for sure and many other highlights along the way.

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 site/reviewers are giving waaaaay too much credit here. This is 86. The Beastie Boys were releasing Licence to I'll, a record that's lyricly and sonicly light years ahead of these guys and their 4track. Just another example of misguided reverance

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

one of those albums where i'm not sure if it's good because it influenced everything that came after it or if it's bad because all the stuff it influenced was so much better. also dude was a pedophile

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

Interesting listen. They were definitely trying something... had a political message similar to many other hip hip of that era, but presented in a very different way. The more disco-y/electronic sound sort of watered down the message in my opinion. Although not nearly the most listened to track on the album (on Spotify) "Renegades of Funk" was the only one I recognized. Elements from "Planet Rock" were stolen by Sal the Stockbroker in his rap.

Planet Rock is a very influential song in hip hop but I’m not sure we needed the whole album on a list like this. Certainly doesn’t age particularly well.

3.5 Probably pretty "out there" at the time. Sounds a bit dated with the synths and drum machines. I know planet rock is a classic but I can't help but think of Trailer Park Boys and J-Rocs gay nightclub whenever I hear it

This is actually kinda cool. The origins of hip hop. And it's got this cool/weird space theme that makes it feels super 80s, but in a cool way, unlike synth pop. Unfortunately I decided to listen to this the day that he died and subsequently found out he's a god damn diddler

Heavy electro vibes, big on the funk. Feels robotic but still got soul. Kind of like Kraftwerk, but way cooler, more street. Some parts drag, but the beats stay fresh. Pure early hip-hop energy, no fluff. Super ahead of its time.

Not my style but I can't deny that the song "Who You Funkin' With" is a goddamn banger. 80s style rap, Kraftwerk beats, and a bass that slaps the earth. The rest of the album is kind of messy.

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.

What was I listening to?

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?

A very time telling album. Probably very innovative for 1986. But has since been copied and taken inspiration from. Cool spin!

lmao. for real? Planet Rock was alright, it was the best of the bunch by far. the PerfectBeat was the least compelling beat of the album. Where were these guys at? i spent most of this album wishing it were the Digital Underground.

Straight up doodoo.

Historic and interesting for sure - but as others have noted, it suffers from the fact that other artists built on and improve these foundations. Glad I went through it a couple of times, but can't see myself coming back to it.

I don't really have anything to say other than pretty standard sounding rap music with mostly forgettable lyrics 2.5 stars

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!

We don't fuck with paedos/assaulters, no matter how ground breaking.

This was really fun but very repetitive. Still was nice to listen to when I was cranking out meeting minutes on a rainy Friday afternoon...

Afrika Bambaataa was super influential for the time. While it's not necessarily for my listening pleasure all the time, it was pretty revolutionary for it's time, so that's to be respected at the very least.

Electric Boogie :-). Klinkt als een van de eersten in het hip-hop genre. De beats zijn wel leuk, maar het is niet mijn favoriete muziek. **

That Trans Europe Express sample onthe first track was fun, but it gets tiring right after that. I honetsly don't know why this is supposed to be noteworthy

You must be kidding me?

The Bootsy Collins feat. Run DMC album that shouldn't exist. I guess it was influencial, somehow? It was always so close to be good, but kind of always miss the climax.

Denne får litt godvilje som et sjangerskapende album for hip hop. Men ellers høres det ut som et skoleprosjekt fra gutta på MK. Definisjonen på noe som ikke har tålt tidens tann

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!

1. Who you funkin with 2. Go go pop 3. Frantic situation Denne var artig! Men en 2,5

2.28

No me gustó

I feel like there is a lot idk about Afrika Bambaataa. Recognized Renegade of Funk which pretty cool. There’s something here that I can’t just want to go out and listen to it continuously. Still pretty good and probably were an inspiration to a lot of people I enjoy today.

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

Recognised the first track but hip hop and dance electronica are still something I don’t really enjoy…

It sounds so dated. I het they were pioneers, but the style of hiphop has changed soooo much.

Classic track but it’s not…an album. Don’t get it.

Very good

Like really fucking shit.

Endnu et album der helt sikkert skal være på listen pga historisk indflydelse (dokumentation for, at Looking for the Perfect Beat var på hiphopstationen i GTA Vice City). Vigtigt album, skal helt sikkert lyttes til! Ikke sådan mega fedt at lytte til i dag dog! De første 3 numre kan helt sikkert noget

Ekstremt ujævnt af en single-opsamling at være. Ærlig talt kun rigtigt første nummer som er godt.

I did not know that RATMs Renegades of Funk was a cover... RATM did it better!

Yeah, this does sound a bit dated. It’s OK. I’m not a massive hip-hop fan, but I like some bits and tend to prefer older school stuff anyway. I probably won’t listen to this again, but it wasn’t a bad listen.

Fun old school music. Simple but funky. Also rather repetitive…….but I like it!

"Album-insides und gossip mit Viki" - finde ich super! Schön bist du wieder an Bord. D Bambaataa's vom Planet Rock und ihri chriegerische Soulsonic Force hend schön was ih mir ufgwirblet. Einersiits hani s Album sehr spassig gfunde zum lose, de Beat zu jedem track hani richtig abgfiiret aber denn hani mi trotzdem gfrögt ih was für Moment ich zu ihrem Album zruggriife wird usserhalb vode "haha lug ich han da no es richtig lustigs Album wo chli abgaht!"-moment. Us besagte Gründ chani au kei vier Sternezerstörer losschicke will das Album ih minere Playlist wahrschindli ned sone grossi wiederholigs-quote wird ufwiise. Aber de Planet Rock würdi scho gern mal bsueche zum mit em Volk vode Bambaataas chli z tänzle! De Timaanaa vom Planet Albumklöbb chund in Friede und bringt drü Hüftschwüng als gschenk. Bin gspanne was für Gossip mir über de Planet erfahred.

Nach dere nöd ganz so abwechsligdrieche serie vo ‚the‘ bands chund jetzt einiges a diversität ine im bezug uf bandname und musik, aber defür bliebt mini bewertig eitönig bi 2 sternlis. Will au das album chan ich mir nöd geh, wells eifach zu nervös isch. Vlt han au ich (grüsse an basil) mini bewertig biz ahpasst, aber würki wieder nur 2 astronaut*inne für das album. Scusi

wiedermal es paar jahr vorem good stuff wie run dmc, schadeeee screamy scratchy madness und chli uf de loop station umespile, tönt nach spass fürd Afrika Bambaataa – aber leider nöd so fest für mich zum lose en lustige moment hetts denn doch gha woni bim 3. track "renegades of funk" en chline reminder anes set vom summercamp radio 2022 becho han vom liebe H.R. Digger <3 da no de link für alli interessierte (die chli überraschig isch bi 12min) https://soundcloud.com/summer_camp/h-r-digger-sc22-03-08-22?si=31a4cfdeadd645018898ae5e80a64487&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing das album hett mich den eifach dezue bracht das schöne set grad 2 mal zum schaffe zlose, darum chline quote – next up is H.R. Digger, big digger you know, aaaaaand yeah lets go, enjoy

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

Electro and rap have a kid. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Amazing beats! Go go pop was a stand out. I looked for a while to find the credits for the "everybody rock" vocal sample or singer, but couldn't find anything. Overall would rate it a bit higher but the flow of the lyrics did not stand the test of time imo. They reminded me of the classic line "My name is ___ and I'm here to say"

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.

As a collection of beats from the infancy of hip hop, it was pretty cool.

Every song is way too fucking long and dated as hell. I respect the influence, but that doesn’t translate to personal enjoyment. 2/5

It's not my cuppa tea but I much prefer this old-school 80's hip-hop over the vulgar NWA / Ghostface Killer kind of shite I've hear throughout this project.

Groundbreaking and influential, but not my favorite. Who You Funkin' With is probably the best on the album.

Different, reminded me a lot of educational rap (I think)

I'd just as soon not sit through a whole thing of this, given all the stuff. I've heard most of it before.

Fantastiska funky beats, dess mera hittar ja inget särskilt här. Kan lätt tänka mig att de varit "influential" när det kommit ut

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

Not my style

Hyvä vanhan maailman räppiklassikko, ja breakdance hitti! Levynä kehnompi kuin irtosinkkuna. 3/5

Letkeä protohiphop-platta.

Great bass and drums. A lot otherwise doesn’t hold up

I'm a bit torn here, because this album represents a lot that I really like, including the overall electro style and references to Kraftwerk and such. But it feels dated now, and honestly felt dated then. The rhymes are often goofy and childish, and the 808 style was not long for the world with more sophisticated layered sample based productions right around the corner. As much as I truly like Planet Rock and Perfect Beat, this is just a collection of singles, and only about half are really worth while.

After the references to Kraftwerk, Captain Sky and Ennio Morricone, I was interested in the album despite the genre. I listened to the first track on the album. I immediately recognized the Kraftwerk samples. However, it was the kind of hip hop I don't know what to do with. After just over a minute, I'd had enough. I didn't feel like listening to any of the rest of the album either. The album may have been groundbreaking and pioneering for its genre, but I just don't like the genre. 1/5

Hasn’t aged particularly well but the longer it went on I found myself enjoying it more. It was …interesting to hear the original Renegades of Funk, but Rage really made it their own, huh?

2.5- I didn't hate it, nor love it. "Planet Rock" is a fun song that takes me back to NBA 2k7 and the rest was fine for a background listen.

2.5. There is a charm to the old school beats and delivery that I enjoyed. But unfortunately every song except "Frantic Situation" is at least 40% longer than it needs to be. Still, an important historical document.

Not bad but a bit too proto for me.

Alright I thought

I bet at the time this was great but hasn’t aged that well. Especially compared with similar releases from the same time period.

Early hip hop is just not my favorite genre. This has some iconic songs tho

p545. 1986. 1 star. The genesis of hip-hop, so wrong audience. Bonus point for the pilfering of Kraftwerk, but it's difficult to award anything but 1 star to kiddy fiddlers.

The genesis of the 'Kraftwerk invented hip hop' running in-joke we have. Thanks Sam. Looks a bit dry. X The cover here is absolutely incredible. What a picture. Obviously we are here for Arthur Baker as well. A fun game to play, how many of these noises did he bring straight over to his work with New Order or steal from himself. Confusion is obviously throughout Looking for the Perfect Beat (or the reverse - yeah it's definitely the other way around). Anyway most of this is from 82/83 and it's still absolutely banging. Turns out finding out the guy was a raging peadophile doesn't stop me enjoying great music, which is nice. Who you Funkin With - has got to be from 1986, it screams in with all the excesses of that time and sounds worse. Yeah ok everything after that is average. Those first four tracks though.

Not a good start for me here

Other than "Who You Funkin' With?", which I really liked, this album didn't really much for me. I do see the influence this collection of single meant to rap a a genre though, it just wasn't anything I'm interested in. But didn't dislike it so.. Light 3 (6.3) ★★★

Basic rapping and beats I don't like. Very dated. Highly influential, yes, but not something I will relisten to. 2 stars

This is actually a compilation, which is why it seems dated by 1986 standards. I think there's some good ideas here, and it's clearly influential to both electronic music and hip-hop. That being said, the rapping is super basic and the songs mostly outstay their welcome. The latter is probably a reflection of the genre's origin in club culture. Highlights are "Renegades of Funk", the title track and "Go Go Pop". 3 stars.

3.5

A collection of super musty and cobwebby early electro and hiphop stretching as far back as 1982. Planet Rock has that cool icy Kraftwerk interpolation and is a nice throwbacky listen for a few minutes but an entire album of this stuff is actually pretty nightmarish. Just incredibly cheesy and dated with iffy beats and whack flow.

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

As with some other albums, there's one thing being influential at the time and there is another thing being timeless. This has aged badly, and is a grating listen for that.

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.

While I generally enjoy 80s rap, Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force's "Planet Rock: The Album" fell flat for me. Compared to artists like Grandmaster Flash and The Treacherous Three, it felt too commercial and safe, almost like a parody of the genre. Not my cup of tea. 2/5

Another song from the rage against the machine covers album, this version of renegades of funk isn't quite as good. This reminded me a lot of Run DMC, very similar approach to rapping. Didn't mind it but didnt blow me away either, think it's place on this list comes from being influential.

Sounded very much like Run DMC - makes sense, they are of a similar time. Not my kind of music, but I can appreciate some it is well-made.

Wasn't aware that this was the origins of renegades of funk.... Think rage probably did it better. Was probably my favourite here though. Very dated sound now, but it isn't bad, but hip hop and rapping has come a long way since this. Probably very significant in the genre though

Fuck yeah, funk rap

Crap

Non è il mio genere, ma tutto sommato non è malvagio.

Purtroppo non ho vibrato...

Pozzo snitch

Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 🌍👽🛸 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🤖🎚️✨🔥✊🏾⌛🥱 Rating: 🌍🌍(🌍)/5

Dit is waar de hip-hop scene mee is begonnen. Verrassende samples van Kraftwerk. Veel funk, drums. Goed om eens gehoord te hebben.

This was the one of the first rap bands that I came up against as a kid and boy I loved it. Videos from back then with the costumes and early electro beats were another world to me. Simply amazing and timeless. I can't understand the Millenials not digging this.

The original renegades of Funk. You can hear the rap influence from this 1986 album. Enjoyable and groovy

Kraftwerk Jumpscare anyways i dont fw kid diddlers

Nicht schlecht

Planet Rock is fairly dated hip hop and it was a totally fine listen, I enjoy what it gives enough. It was interesting to finally hear the original Renegades of Funk, I was previously only familiar with the Rage cover. If I’m going to put on 80’s Hip Hop of the ilk, I would likely lean Public Enemy or Run DMC. 3 stars

It's got fun beats but he's a pedo.

Oh. I thought this was gonna be better. Very shallow & flat.

Early Hip Hop. Fair enough.

I'll give them props, this was quite the endeavor to make this sound in the mid-80s. It was very unique, and interesting how they worked with Kraftwerk. Also turns out "Renegades of Funk" by RATM is a reimagining of this track - didn't know that, but I appreciate the original. All around it's not great, but I understand why it's on the list. 2.5/5 -> 3/5

Some parts were pretty funky but the songs were just way too repetitive, it really didn’t hold my attention

No. 298/1001 Planet Rock 3/5 Looking for the Perfect Beat 2/5 Renegades of Funk 2/5 Frantic Situation 3/5 Who You Funkin' With? 3/5 Go Go Pop 2/5 They Made A Mistake 2/5 Average: 2,43 Another influential hip-hop album of this era, that didn’t really age well. Also I had issues with production and mixing. The volume in between songs differed greatly. In some songs in my opinion the beat was way too loud compared to the vocals.

wut? the?

Surprisingly fresh for a nearly 40 year old hip hop album. The sampling of early electronic music gives this a dance feel, but also a weirdly eerie sense of bravado. It also showcases the beauty of hip hop, it’s an intersection of electronic, rock, funk, disco, and R&B. As an album it’s kind of disjointed and seems to be a mix of hits and some bonus tracks, but the importance of this moment in music history is definitely felt.

Extremely dated and repetitive, but very listenable. Nothing really special sticks out about it, but I am going to have to rate low due to the guy being a kiddie diddler.

PG13 movie ahh soundtrack

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

Meh. It's a collection of previously released hip hop singles and it shows.

It’s not actually an album album, is it now? It’s fine for a few moments, but I ultimately don’t care about it.

What? Why is this on the list? I’m quite confused. This is something you’d find at a bargain bin in a second-hand record shop, or something that’d be sampled by contemporary hip-hop artists - something I’ve no doubt has been done with this record, as I know it’s been covered (Renegades of Funk by Rage Against the Machine) I feel like I’ve heard all this sort of music (electro, late 70s/80s hip hop) before, but this just seems to miss the mark in every way. Why not just go fully for the humorous approach? I can’t really fault this too much, what more was I expecting, apart from a general idea of a better listening experience? Not much. Here you have it. Weird.

This album feels way to dated for me to genuinely enjoy. This album does not contain the same timeless charm that their contemporaries were able to create. I suppose it was a little fun, but not enough to the point I would listen again. 3/5

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!

😂😂💯

Ahah nah no no

Odd but interesting

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)

I could see this being revolutionary at the time of release but the beats have dated badly. Lyrically it is great! The album cover is incredible as well! Stand out tracks: - Renegades of funk - Who you funkin' with - Go Go Pop

Det er lidt oldschool, funked hiphop produktion over det, men holder nok ikke længere

This was a fun album that is the epitome of 90’s rap! I’d give it a 3.5. Very cool. Also renegades of funk!

Building upon the bedrock crafted by the masters of electronic music, Afrika Bambaataa upended the nascient hip-hop genre with Planet Rock. Had he not done anything else, his place is hip-hop would still be assured. Yet his search for the perfect beat culminated in this release which came years afterward yet still possessed the futuristic ambition of the song which the album is named. While not overtly important in the grand scheme of things, there are still plenty of gems to sift through, especially the Latin Rascals remix of Renegades of Funk. Favorites: Planet Rock (Original 12" Mix), Looking for the Perfect Beat (Original 12" Version), Renegades of Funk (The Latin Rascals Remix) Frantic Situation (Frantic Mix).

Fun. I’ll give big points for their importance to and influence on hip hop. But I can’t really imagine putting this on for the hell of it.

Found this all quite samey and it was kind of hard to engage with each song individually. Quite fun. Didn't leave much of an impression

This was good but I can't say it was particularly memorable. But I must say, it has the most incredible album cover.

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.

2 Stars (5/15)

## 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.

The interesting thing about this album is that it's quite bad. There's very little substance and lots of amateur DJ noise. It seems that a lot of people are giving this a higher rating on account of having lived through its release as a kid, but that's a ridiculous measure. It's like me saying Katy Perry's Teenage Dream album is good. Utter delusion assisted by violently rose-coloured glasses. Obviously Afrika Bambaataa was going for something groundbreaking, and that grants it some merit – but the end product is aimless, repetitive electronic drumbeat stuff with no particularly interesting melodies, textures, or variations in energy. There's no adherence to the classic "album experience" that showcases all the strengths of a band across a miniature variety show of tracks within one or a few genres. Instead, there's just soulless noise. And sure, it pioneered the hip-hop genre – but is that really something you want to be known for? As another reviewer wrote: "In historical context this album is very important for electro and hip-hop, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's still interesting to actually listen to today." 1/5 Key tracks: Looking for the Perfect Beat

Classic song but doesn't hold the whole album up.

Fun party beats.

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

Brilliantly fun— an exhilarating first listen and a groovy second

Fun early hip hop album. Definitely can hear the influence it had on east coast rap. I like the writing style of this era, with a focus on goofy stories/situations instead of the swag rap we hear so much of today. Good punchy beats that remind me of ssx tricky, which is always a plus. Feeling a 7/10 but gonna round down on account of Afrika being a diddler.

I love an 80's electronic cowbell.

A couple of the tracks are really good, as a whole album though I feel it does not really gel, feel this album is included for its historical importance, they help invent the genre but the tools to deliver what they envisaged were not quite there yet…. or was it all just a happy accident due to lack of tools that invented the genre….

Muddy disco type of thing. A fever dream I couldn't wait to get up from. The sort of thing your sleep paralysis demon would listen to on TV at 3AM in between infomercials and softcore porn on the History channel.

It's interesting seeing just how much this album influenced hip-hop. I didn't realize Renegades of Funk was a cover.

Interesting album. I'd imagine this one was awesome at block parties in the 80s, because thats the kinda sound it evokes.

Irrespective of what happened with him later, this album from a musical point of view is amazing.

Hard to disagree with the other reviews saying this was very influential but a tough listen. It absolutely feels so undercooked from someone in 2024. Definitely good to have heard but more on the historical curiosity side of things.

I appreciate the fact that this set the stage for so much that came after it. Run DMC to start, and everything that followed. And I did not care for it. It reminds me of dance club music that is repetitive, but not interesting. So respect to this and it deserves a slot on the list. But not for me.

It can be a little longwinded, but this is a foundational work that has so many great moments in it. The mishmash of early hip-hop and electronic music in P-Funk aesthetics? Unbelievably cool that such a seminal work could also be so eclectic

Sounds very dated decades later. No good at all.

Always loved the song Planet Rock so I was really excited to hear the rest of the album. It had some cool songs, and a few that were forgettable. Nothing crazy, but I do see why this album is so influential. I love the tie in to Kraftwerk.

Kind of funky, but not that special really.

Almost 50 years old and this sounds as good as it did back then. An amazing piece of work.

I didn't know what to expect with this record. It's not bad, but it's repetitive and although it's only 7 songs and 40 minutes, it goes on too long. Decent electrofunk tho. Definitely not bad as some of the other 2 stars I've given before but 3 is too much.

Kinda bad

Planet Rock still sounds great, but the rest is garbage.

Welsh Supergrass

An incredibly important collection of songs not just for hip hop but for electronic music as a whole. It's still a great listen today and those calling this dated should separate the sounds from their own association with the 80s. These sounds are still used and celebrated by djs and producers today so it's not the music that is dated it's the people listening to it! 5/5

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

A landmark album that has become hard to listen to because of a tarnished legacy.

Un exemple parfait d'un album de hip-hop qui a très mal survécu l'épreuve du temps. Je comprends que c'est littéralement l'un des premiers albums de hip-hop de tous les temps, mais c'est vraiment gênant comment c'est quétaine et innofensif. Ça sonne presque comme toutes les premières tentatives des blancs qui se sont lancé là-dedans sans comprendre l'aspect socio-politique du mouvement. 4/10

So of its time that it doesn't hold up. Likely revolutionary on release, but has been exceeded in every way. Other groundbreaking albums in other genres haven't dated this much, it's probably because of the production

The title alone is wild. Very classic hip-hop. Some of the earliest hip-hop hits. 80s samples are fun. Very straightforward. Very repetitive.

3/5

Funky proto hip hop. great for a party

I don't think it's fair to evaluate this as an album because this is basically a collection of previously released singles; the songs weren't necessarily made to be listened to together. That doesn't say anything about their quality or significance. The title track is probably one of the most important songs in hiphop/electronic music/music in general and still a lot of fun. The rest all sounds pretty much the same and all the songs are quite long as well and that together makes listening to it in go a bit of a slog.

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

I'm sure this was historically significant, but some of the songs are too long for what they are, and it just doesn't stand the test of time.

Electro classic. Personal favourite is Frantic Situation 4/5

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

Sounds so early but I could imagine its impact at the time especially in the clubs! 3 but glad to have heard it!

Perfect!

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

Meh

nyeeee én ezt kicsit untam

No me gustó

Old, old school beats. Primitive and pioneering. Not sure it should be on a list of "Best Of"s but it definitely deserves a place in music history.

It was a fun one, I enjoyed it growing up and I enjoyed it now

You can't stop ... that 808 cowbell.

PLANET ROCK! PLANET ROCK!

trans - europe - express

Good but oh so dated.

Did not like it, but just a different vibe

Didn’t really get anything out of listening to this unfortunately

Nope!

Decent album with some great mixing. It’s clear how influential it been and it that regard, it’s an groundbreaking and essential album. Revisiting the album thought, it looses some of its impact. Most of the songs are now a bit too long and don’t have that same hit that they once did.

I'm starting to really enjoy the feeling that not only am I aware of my crusty ol bias but it's going away. Or at least I'm able to navigate around it better. This is an album that I would not have given a second thought or dismissed. But this 1001 Albums project is teaching me to take more time. There's a whole world here. It's objectively kick ass what a busy intersection of influence and innovation this album is. Apparently it's possible to like and not like a thing, haha. More and more it feels pointless to rate the art. 2.5

I like old-school rap but damn this is old as hell. Not as good as the stuff from the 90s but still goes pretty hard.

I could tell from the beginning that this was not going to be for me. I pretty much let it play in the background while I was working on something else and thinking about other things.

Going to say the first two songs were great. Not as interested after that.

Wow! They brought the funk with this album. I heard a lot of familiar beats, used by Kanye, Rage (had no idea Renegade was a cover!!), and I heard a lot of lyrics mimiced by other hip hop/rap artists. This album must’ve been a heavy influence on the hip hop seen. I think I have to give this 5 starts do all that.

Too low

Inventive, raw, and exciting. I think these tracks have aged very nicely.

For hipster block parties in the Bronx back in 80s I guess?

Old School Hip-Hop or New School Hip-Hop - it's still Hip-Hop and I just don't see the point.

dooooon't caaaaareeeee 1.5-2/5

Didn’t do anything for me.

Heille, ya pas de rock sur c’t’album là! Juste du hip-hop vide et mal mixé

A fun listen but ultimately a little stale production and by the numbers lyrics.

Apparently it's seminal, but many others have done it better since then. 2.5/5

Old skool hip hop. Was OK I guess

Definitely influential and another time I would have given this a lot higher score. But I can't anymore

Afrika Bambaataa is an pivotal DJ in the genesis of hip hop, innovating on electro at the same time by blending the two genres. Unfortunately this never caught on, and the end result sounds terribly dated. On top of that, the mid-school hip hop sound was done much better by contemporaries Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. While I appreciate its ability to innovate and popularize hip hop, Planet Rock is not exemplary.

Nah

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

This is going to be a weird album to rate. On one hand it is a fun and influential album, but on the other it is kind of corny, most of the songs could have been 50% shorter, and the sounds here haven't aged super well. high 3.

very very early rap. Not bad, 3 I think.

This was an 80s electronic rap laugh. Not quite varied enough for me but a good listen and one I’d bung on again.

Pump up that jam. How could funk music be this boring? +1 stars for renegades of funk

It sounds like typical 80's early rap; I thought of Cherry Hill Gang immediately on the first track (Planet Rock). Reading the history of Bambaata, I was charmed to learn he's amongst the true godfathers of hip-hop with influences and collabs as diverse as Kraftwerk and Johnny Rotten! So many party chants are here; I had no idea where they came from before (Party People! Say we like to body rock the parties!) Honestly this is super cool and I'm happy to have listened.

sounds horrible to be honest.

Weirdest album ever... bueno no, si he oido más raros pero este no me gusto mucho... por que no le entendí supongo... no se, de este si no entendí por ke estaba aquí pero ok.

Separating the artist from their art is a challenge here. Look: there’s no denying this album and 50% of this artist as celebrated for its timeless impact on the evolution of music - not just hip-hop. It also directly influenced other varied genre acts like LMFAO (Party Rock, anyone?), New Order, and RATM. But the time to ignore that other 50% has passed.

Oh man. I respect the old school hip hop pioneering here, but I am torn by the stories of dude's offending against the young. No, actually in not torn. Once you know, your know. Would've been four, but knocked down to one star. Not for Afrika, but for the survivors.

Cool to see where so many recognizable references are from.

Started off so weak not my jam but ended up bopping hard

I knew the name Africa Bambaataa but don’t remember hearing any of these tracks.. I think the electronic/hiphop hybrid works decently, and like some other early hiphop albums on the list I’m sure this was quite influential to the genre. 3.25/5 I enjoyed but not sure it’ll make regular repeats for me

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

Really cool to hear an album from a time when a beloved genre originated. It was ok for what it was .

Super classic, sounded great.

It’s kinda all the same