Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock The Album

Tommy Boy reissued an exclusive, limited-edition pressing of Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force’s Planet Rock on August 27, 2021, as part of the label’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of rap, Afrika Bambaataa has long been a revolutionary figure—both within music and beyond. Raised in the South Bronx, Bambaataa made his name as a DJ, rapper, and songwriter, eventually becoming the foremost DJ, event organizer, and promoter of the large block parties that defined the neighborhood in the mid-to-late 1970s.

By the early 1980s, Bambaataa had gained acclaim for releasing countless genre-bending tracks that infused hip-hop and electronic elements into a sound that would influence generations of artists. With the groundbreaking release of the Soulsonic Force-assisted Planet Rock in 1982, he cemented his place in music history as one of the most innovative and revered artists of his time.

Since its release, Planet Rock has become one of hip-hop’s earliest crossover hits and remains one of the genre’s most pioneering recordings. A longtime favorite among breakdancers, DJs, and music lovers alike, Planet Rock was ranked #240 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

Originally compiled in 1986 as a collection of previous singles, this highly sought-after record had long been out of production—until now. It was ranked #84 on Slant Magazine’s “Best Albums of the 1980s” list and included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.