Event · 1982-06-03 · New York City [40.71, -74.01]
Release of Planet Rock (June 1982)
The release of "Planet Rock" in June 1982 by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force introduced synthesizers and the drum machine into hip-hop, drawing on European electronic pop. It effectively launched the electro genre and reshaped how dance and rap records were produced. The event marks the moment the Bronx beat went fully electronic.
Evidence1
- MusicBrainz: Planet Rock (release group)MusicBrainz
musicbrainz.org/release-group/ef56f58a-8dfd-39ea-8a79-7f69d4fcd87c
accessed 2026-06-04