Soulsonic Force
Encyclopedia
The Soulsonic Force are an American electro-funk and hip-hop ensemble led by Afrika Bambaataa
who helped establish hip-hop in the early 1980s with songs such as "Planet Rock
". They were also influential in the birth of the electro movement in America and helped pave the way for modern dance music styles such as electro-funk and electro hop.
In 1982, Soulsonic Force and Afrika Bambaataa
released a single called "Planet Rock". The song borrowed musical motifs from German electro-pop, British rock, and African-American disco rap. All the different elements and musical styles were blended together; and in doing so, offered hip-hop as a new vision for global harmony. The song became an immediate hit and stormed the music charts worldwide.
Their most well-known songs are "Planet Rock
", "Looking for the Perfect Beat
" and "Renegades of Funk
" (which is one of the earliest political-conscious rap songs alongside Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
's "The Message").
Soulsonic Force feature on the title track of the Freestylers
' debut album We Rock Hard
.
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
who helped establish hip-hop in the early 1980s with songs such as "Planet Rock
Planet Rock (song)
"Planet Rock" is a 1982 song by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. In the background and hooks featured Marvella Murray, Yvette Murray, Melissa Johnson and Sandra Wheeler. Although it was only a minor hit in the US, Canada, and UK, it helped change the foundations of hip-hop and dance music...
". They were also influential in the birth of the electro movement in America and helped pave the way for modern dance music styles such as electro-funk and electro hop.
In 1982, Soulsonic Force and Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
released a single called "Planet Rock". The song borrowed musical motifs from German electro-pop, British rock, and African-American disco rap. All the different elements and musical styles were blended together; and in doing so, offered hip-hop as a new vision for global harmony. The song became an immediate hit and stormed the music charts worldwide.
Their most well-known songs are "Planet Rock
Planet Rock (song)
"Planet Rock" is a 1982 song by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. In the background and hooks featured Marvella Murray, Yvette Murray, Melissa Johnson and Sandra Wheeler. Although it was only a minor hit in the US, Canada, and UK, it helped change the foundations of hip-hop and dance music...
", "Looking for the Perfect Beat
Looking for the Perfect Beat
"Looking for the Perfect Beat" is a 1983 electro/hip hop song by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. It was the second single from their album Planet Rock: The Album...
" and "Renegades of Funk
Renegades of Funk
"Renegades of Funk" is a song written by Afrika Bambaataa, Arthur Baker, John Miller & John Robie and recorded by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force. Released in 1983 as a single on the Tommy Boy label, it was also included on the 1986 album Planet Rock: The Album...
" (which is one of the earliest political-conscious rap songs alongside Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ and five rappers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in...
's "The Message").
Soulsonic Force feature on the title track of the Freestylers
Freestylers
The Freestylers are a British electronic music group, generally fitting into the breakbeat genre. Recently their style has incorporated more of a drumstep sound, more in line with The Prodigy and other such artists.-Career:...
' debut album We Rock Hard
We Rock Hard
We Rock Hard was the first major-label album by the band Freestylers and their most commercially successful release to date. Allmusic describes the album as a run through of the band members' back catalogue but it still showcases the classic big beat and break beat electronica that would remain...
.
Lineup
- Afrika BambaataaAfrika BambaataaAfrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
- Mr. Biggs
- Pow Wow
- The G.L.O.B.E
- DJ Jazzy Jay
- Cosmic Force
Discography
- Planet Rock - The Album (1986)
- "Planet RockPlanet Rock (song)"Planet Rock" is a 1982 song by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. In the background and hooks featured Marvella Murray, Yvette Murray, Melissa Johnson and Sandra Wheeler. Although it was only a minor hit in the US, Canada, and UK, it helped change the foundations of hip-hop and dance music...
" (Swordfish Mix) on the SwordfishSwordfish (film)Swordfish is a 2001 crime-thriller film, directed by Dominic Sena and starring John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Vinnie Jones. The film is an action thriller that was also notable for Halle Berry's first topless scene...
soundtrack (see Swordfish (soundtrack)Swordfish (soundtrack)Swordfish: The Album is the original soundtrack of the 2001 film Swordfish. It was produced by Paul Oakenfold under Village Roadshow and Warner Bros. and distributed through London Sire Records, Inc.- Track listing :...
).