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Afrika Bambaataa(1957-2026)

  • Actor
  • Composer
  • Music Department
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Afrika Bambaataa
Trailer for Sample This
Play trailer1:35
Sample This (2012)
4 Videos
4 Photos
Afrika Bambaataa was born on 17 April 1957 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Vanilla Sky (2001), Swordfish (2001) and The Mechanic (2011). He died on 9 April 2026 in Pennsylvania, USA.
BornApril 17, 1957
DiedApril 9, 2026(68)
BornApril 17, 1957
DiedApril 9, 2026(68)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos3

View Poster
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Known for

Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky (2001)
Vanilla Sky
6.9
  • Soundtrack
  • 2001
John Travolta, Don Cheadle, Halle Berry, and Hugh Jackman in Swordfish (2001)
Swordfish
6.5
  • Soundtrack
  • 2001
The Mechanic (2011)
The Mechanic
6.5
  • Soundtrack
  • 2011
Elisha Cuthbert and Emile Hirsch in The Girl Next Door (2004)
The Girl Next Door
6.7
  • Soundtrack
  • 2004

Credits

IMDbPro

Actor

  • PrototypeRadio (2012)
    PrototypeRadio
    Podcast Series
    • 2012
  • Kings of Hip Hop: The Founders
    Video
    • 2004
  • Kung Faux (2003)
    Kung Faux
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Voice Over
    • Various
    • 2003
  • Legends of Hip Hop: The Fifth Element
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 2003
  • The Work of Director Chris Cunningham (2003)
    The Work of Director Chris Cunningham
    8.4
    Video
    • Car Park Attendant (segment "Afrika Shox")
    • 2003
  • Caspert Hunte in Leftfield Feat. Afrika Bambaataa: Afrika Shox (1999)
    Leftfield Feat. Afrika Bambaataa: Afrika Shox
    8.2
    Music Video
    • Car Park Attendant
    • 1999
  • Afrika Bambaataa & WestBam: Agharta - The City of Shamballa (Subterranean World) (1998)
    Afrika Bambaataa & WestBam: Agharta - The City of Shamballa (Subterranean World)
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1998
  • Monie Love in Monie Love: Grandpa's Party (1989)
    Monie Love: Grandpa's Party
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1989
  • David Gilmour in Spirit of the Forest: Spirit of the Forest (1989)
    Spirit of the Forest: Spirit of the Forest
    5.4
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1989
  • Afrika Bambaataa Feat. UB40: Reckless (1988)
    Afrika Bambaataa Feat. UB40: Reckless
    5.7
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1988
  • Afrika Bambaataa: Shout It Out
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1988
  • Artists United Against Apartheid: Sun City (1985)
    Artists United Against Apartheid: Sun City
    7.0
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1985
  • James Brown & Afrika Bambaataa: Unity
    5.6
    Music Video
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1984
  • Time Zone: World Destruction
    Music Video
    • 1984
  • Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street
    6.5
    • Afrika Bambaataa
    • 1984

Composer

  • LL Cool J in LL Cool J Feat. Jennifer Lopez: Control Myself (2006)
    LL Cool J Feat. Jennifer Lopez: Control Myself
    6.1
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 2006
  • Rage Against the Machine: Renegades of Funk (2000)
    Rage Against the Machine: Renegades of Funk
    6.5
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 2000
  • Caspert Hunte in Leftfield Feat. Afrika Bambaataa: Afrika Shox (1999)
    Leftfield Feat. Afrika Bambaataa: Afrika Shox
    8.2
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1999
  • Afrika Bambaataa & WestBam: Agharta - The City of Shamballa (Subterranean World) (1998)
    Afrika Bambaataa & WestBam: Agharta - The City of Shamballa (Subterranean World)
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1998
  • Great Performances (1971)
    Great Performances
    7.9
    TV Series
    • Composer
    • 1991
  • Time Zone: World Destruction
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1984
  • Afrika Bambaataa and Soul Sonic Force in Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force: Planet Rock (1982)
    Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force: Planet Rock
    6.8
    Music Video
    • Composer
    • 1982

Music Department

  • Hip-Hop Honors (2004)
    Hip-Hop Honors
    5.6
    TV Special
    • additional music courtesy of
    • 2004
  • Neneh Cherry: I've Got You Under My Skin (1990)
    Neneh Cherry: I've Got You Under My Skin
    7.0
    Music Video
    • music mixer
    • music producer
    • 1990
  • Graffiti Rock (1984)
    Graffiti Rock
    8.1
    TV Movie
    • music consultant
    • 1984

Videos4

U.S. Version
Trailer 2:32
U.S. Version
Sample This
Trailer 1:35
Sample This
Sample This
Trailer 1:35
Sample This
Hip Hop Legends
Trailer 1:04
Hip Hop Legends
Kung Faux
Trailer 1:00
Kung Faux

Personal details

  • Official sites
    • AllMusic
    • Black Past
  • Alternative name
    • Afrika Bambaataa Aasim
  • Born
    • April 17, 1957
    • Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
  • Died
    • April 9, 2026
    • Pennsylvania, USA(cancer)
  • Other works
    A member of the "Artists United Against Apartheid" charity project in 1985.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article
    • 1 Pictorial

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Rapper and DJ who helped pioneer hip hop.
  • Nickname
    • Afrika Bambaataa Aasim

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