THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

716-Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force-Planet Rock.

1982-Number 53 single.

Best Bit-At 0.31. In 1982 ‘Rap’ was still in it’s infancy, note the song is called ‘Planet Rock,’ rather than ‘Planet Rap.’

‘Planet Rock’ wasn’t the first ‘Rap’ song to be a hit, but unlike those that came before, this one included synthesizers, and sampling. It was Tom Silverman the founder of ‘Tommy Boy’ records who brought Afrika Bambaataa, and Arthur Baker (see also best songs 825) together, the other two who were involved with the making of this groundbreaking track were the songs co-writer John Robie, who played synthesizers, and Emcee G.L.O.B.E., who wrote the lyrics about having fun, and getting the most out of life. Arthur Baker and Afrika Bambaataa had previously worked together on a ‘Funk’ song called ‘Jazzy Sensation,’ and both shared a mutual appreciation for the German band Kraftwerk (see also best songs 41.) The duo wanted to incorporate the ‘Electronic Music’ of that group in to ‘Hip-Hop.’ The outcome being a whole new musical genre, that would become known as ‘Electro,’ and becoming a major influence on all the generations that followed.

‘Planet Rock’s’ writing is credited to Arthur Baker, John Robie, Emcee G.L.O.B.E., and the ‘Electro-Funk,’ and ‘Hip-Hop’ ensemble, led by Afrika Bambaata, the ‘Soulsonic Force,’ with the production being by Arthur Baker. The track was released as a stand alone single, and did not appear on an Album until the release of the Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force’s 1986 compilation Album ‘Planet Rock: The Album.’ ‘Planet Rock’ is heavily influenced by ‘Electronic Music’ artists such as Kraftwerk, The Yellow Magic Orchestra, and Gary Numan (see also best songs 772-232 and 177.) ‘Planet Rock’ is based on two songs by Kraftwerk,’Trans-Europe Express,’ (1976) and ‘Numbers,’ (1981) with those two songs being interpolated, rather than sampled directly. Although Kraftwerk didn’t receive writing credit for ‘Planet Rock,’ they did come to an agreement over royalties. Another track which was sampled was the synthesizer arrangement from the 1972 cover of ‘Theme From a Few Dollars More,’ by the English Rock group ‘Babe Ruth.’

Afrika Bambaataa was born Lance Taylor, on April 17th, 1957, in New York City, United States. His discography includes 23 Albums released between 1983-2006, and 22 singles issued between 1980-2001. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, ‘Planet Rock,’ which is his only entry on that chart, peaked at Number 48, although it did reach Number 4 on the ‘Billboard Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Songs’ chart. In the UK, he has had four top 40 hits, with ‘Afrika Shox,’ credited to ‘Leftfield featuring Afrika Bambaataa,’ peaking the highest at Number 7 in 1999. Afrika Bambaataa has spoken about his admiration for Kraftwerk, and their influence on his music,’I don’t think they even knew how big they were among the black masses back in ’77 when they came out with ‘Trans Europe Express.’ When that came out, I thought that was one of the best and weirdest damn records I ever heard in my life.That’s an amazing group to see, just to see what computers and all that can do.’

John Robie was born in New York City, United States, he is a musician, producer, and songwriter, who has produced or written for a wildly diverse array of artists, including Chaka Khan, New Order, and UB40. Arthur Baker who produced ‘Planet Rock’ has praised John Robie’s work on the track saying,’He could play. You’d tell him to play something and he’d play it, and add something to it. He was really, really good. Afrika Bambaataa said,’A lot of people think we sampled Kraftwerk, but it’s just not true. John Robie was a bad-ass synthesizer player, so he was just good in playing stuff, that it sounded like they sampled the record.’ The American music producer Rick Rubin (see also best songs 977-610 and 305) has said of ‘Planet Rock,’ ‘It is one of the most influential songs of everything, it changed the world.’

‘You gotta rock it, pop it, ’cause it’s the century. There is such a place that creates such a melody, our world is but a land of a master jam, get up and dance. It’s time to chase your dreams, up out your seats, make your body sway, socialise, get down, let your soul lead the way. Shake it now, go ladies, it’s a livin’ dream, love life, live.’