Afrika Bambaataa, one of the foundational figures of hip-hop culture, has died at the age of 68, according to confirmation from the Hip Hop Alliance.

In a statement, the organisation paid tribute to Bambaataa’s influence in shaping a “global movement rooted in peace, unity, love, and having fun,” highlighting his central role in the emergence of hip-hop as both a musical genre and a broader cultural force.

Born Lance Taylor in The Bronx to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrant parents, Bambaataa came of age during the era of the black liberation movement. In 1973, he co-founded the Universal Zulu Nation, an international collective aimed at redirecting youth energy away from violence and toward artistic expression and community building.

As a teenager, he had been a member of the Black Spades, later using his leadership experience to help transform local street culture into a creative movement. His 1982 track Planet Rock brought him global recognition and is widely credited with helping define the sound and direction of hip-hop in the 1980s.

Throughout his career, Bambaataa collaborated with a range of prominent artists, including James Brown and John Lydon, and contributed to socially conscious projects such as the 1985 anti-apartheid song Sun City.

His death, first reported by TMZ, was said to have occurred in Pennsylvania on Thursday due to complications from cancer.

In later years, Bambaataa’s legacy was overshadowed by allegations of child sexual abuse and trafficking dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, which he consistently denied. In 2025, he lost a civil case related to those accusations after failing to appear in court, according to reports.

The Hip Hop Alliance acknowledged that these allegations have complicated his legacy, noting that his life and work have been the subject of “serious conversations within our community,” even as his contributions to the global rise of hip-hop remain significant.

Rapper Offset has been hospitalised after being shot outside a casino in the U.S. state of Florida, according to police and media reports.

The 34-year-old artist, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, is in a stable condition and is being closely monitored, a spokesperson told Variety. Authorities confirmed that the incident occurred on Monday evening at a valet area outside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The Seminole Police Department said the shooting happened shortly after 19:00 local time and resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to one individual. Two people have been detained in connection with the incident, and an investigation is ongoing.

Offset’s representatives have not yet publicly commented on the shooting.

Offset rose to prominence as a member of the hip-hop trio Migos, alongside Quavo and Takeoff. The group first gained widespread attention with their 2013 hit “Versace,” before achieving global success with “Bad and Boujee,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017. Migos have been widely regarded as one of the most influential rap groups of their generation.

In recent years, Offset has focused on his solo career following the group’s split in 2022, when Quavo and Takeoff formed the duo Unc & Phew.

The shooting comes less than a year after the death of Takeoff, who was fatally shot in Houston, Texas, in November 2022, an incident that sent shockwaves through the music industry.

Offset is also known for his high-profile relationship with rapper Cardi B. The pair married in 2017 and share three children, but separated and filed for divorce in 2024.

Police have not released further details about the motive behind the shooting, as investigations continue.

Wireless Festival has been cancelled after the UK government refused entry to Kanye West, also known as Ye, following mounting backlash over his planned appearance at the London event.

In a statement, festival organisers confirmed that the Home Office had withdrawn West’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), effectively preventing him from travelling to the UK. “As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders,” the statement said.

The decision comes after widespread criticism of the rapper, who in recent years has sparked outrage over a series of antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi remarks. His scheduled headline performance had already led to political pressure and the withdrawal of several sponsors.

The Home Office said West applied for entry on Monday but was denied permission on the grounds that his presence would not be “conducive to the public good.” Travellers to the UK who do not require a visa for short stays must obtain an ETA before arrival.

Organisers defended their initial booking, stating that “multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance” and that no concerns were raised at the time. However, they acknowledged the seriousness of the controversy, adding: “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had.”

The cancellation follows a turbulent lead-up to the festival. Presale tickets released earlier in the week were believed to have sold out, with general sales due to begin shortly before the announcement.

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the government’s decision to block West’s entry, calling it the “right decision.” A spokesperson for the group criticised festival organisers, questioning how concerns about the artist were not identified earlier and suggesting commercial interests had taken precedence.

The group also pointed to shifting messaging from organisers, noting that stronger condemnation of antisemitism came only after the situation escalated and sponsors withdrew.

Earlier on Tuesday, West had expressed a willingness to engage with members of the UK’s Jewish community, saying he would be “grateful” for the opportunity to meet and begin a dialogue.