Afrika Bambaataa Has Died

On Thursday, April 9, the music world mourned the passing of hip-hop architect Afrika Bambaataa. The legendary artist, aged 68, succumbed to prostate cancer just days before what would have been his 69th birthday on April 17.

As a foundational figure in the evolution of hip-hop throughout the 1980s, Bambaataa’s visionary sound left an indelible mark on culture, including a notable presence within the Grand Theft Auto universe.

In GTA: Vice City, his seminal collaboration with The Soulsonic Force, “Looking for the Perfect Beat,” served as a staple on the Wildstyle radio station, though it was eventually removed from later versions of the game.