Afrika Bambaataa was a massively pivotal figure in the fostering of hip-hop. Through his electronic-and-rap music style, he became known as a DJ and MC.

Bambaataa helped develop the genre and culture from the South Bronx of NYC in the late 1970s with the creation of the Zulu Nation. The Nation, with Bambaataa at the helm, advocated in the face of gang-violence for love, positivity, and peace; instead of joining local New York gangs, the Nation offered community and companionship through the core elements of hip-hop.