The Soulsonic Force (also referred to as Afrika Bambaataa & 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.
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.
Renegades Of Funk
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter how hard you try, you can't stop this now
Renegades of this atomic age
This atomic age for renegades
Renegades of this atomic age
This atomic age for renegades
On down through the Middle Ages
When the earth kept going through changes
There's a business going on, cars continue to change
Nothing stays the same, there were always renegades
Like Chief Sitting Bull, Tom Payne
Like Martin Luther King, Malcom X
They were renegades of the atomic age
So many renegades
Hand clap, hand clap, the renegades
From a different solar system many many galaxies away
We are the force of another creation
A new musical revelation
And we're on this musical message to help the others listen
Improve momentum and seek the electonic chance
Like astrology
Like technology
Like God's Creation
Like the Zulu station
Like to the nation
Like destroy all nations
Like militants
Like down in sand
Like through changes ,nothing stays the same
Oh renegades
Now renegades are people with their own philosophy
They change the course of history
Everyday people like you and me
You know they have their secret notions
And time is endless motion
All people of the moderate ages here in this twentieth century
You have to keep up in time with the moderate time
A state of mind and a sense of pride
A renegade, yes a renegade
Of this time and age
So many renegades
Who's that
Now hand clap
The renegades
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
Poppin', sockin', rockin' with a side of hip-hop
Because where we're goin' there ain't no stoppin'
You know we're poppin', sockin', with a side of hip-hop
Because where we're goin' there ain't no stoppin'
Poppin', sockin', rockin' with a side of hip-hop
Because where we're goin' there ain't no stoppin'
(Repeat)
We're teachers of the funk
And not of empty popping
We're blessed with the Force and the sight of
electronics
With the bass, and the treble
The horns and our vocals
You know everytime we pop into the beat we get fresh
There was a time when our music
Was something called the Bay Street beat
People would gather from all around
To get down on the Bay sound
You had to be a renegade those days
To take a man on the dance floor
Like Afrika Bambattaa and the Soulsonic Force
We're talking about Mr.B, Pow Wow, G-L-O-B-E
Was a renegade, yes, a renegade of the atomic age
So many renegades
What's that
It's a hand clap
The renegade
Just jam sucker
Say jam sucker
Say groove, sucker
Say groove, sucker
Say dance, sucker
Say dance, sucker
Now move, sucker
Now move, sucker
Everybody say
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
We're the renegades of funk
Shake that thing
That makes me swing
I got some great
He's a renegade of funk
Mr. Biggs
He's a renegade of funk
Bambaataa
He's a renegade of funk
Pow Wow
He's a renegade of funk
And MC Globe
The song Renegades of Funk by Afrika Bambaataa Soul Sonic Force is a revolutionary anthem that celebrates the renegades of this atomic age who have defied expectations and taken a stand against conformity. The song starts with a powerful statement that no matter how hard people try to stop the renegades, they will always continue with their message. The song references historical figures like Chief Sitting Bull, Tom Payne, Martin Luther King, and Malcom X, who have spearheaded movements that went against the norm, thus becoming renegades.
The song praises the renegades and their unique philosophy, which has paved the way for a new musical revelation that seeks to help others listen and embrace change. The music is a combination of various forms, including hip-hop, rock, and funk. The song also makes references to astrology, technology, and God's creation. Overall, the lyrics of the song suggest that being a renegade is a state of mind and a source of pride that is necessary to keep up with the times and make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
No matter how hard you try, you can't stop this now
It's impossible to stop what is happening right now
Renegades of this atomic age
These renegades are from this era
This atomic age for renegades
This is the age where renegades thrive
Prehistoric ages and the days of ancient Greece
From the beginning of time up until ancient Greece
On down through the Middle Ages
Continuing through the Middle Ages
When the earth kept going through changes
When the world was constantly evolving
There's a business going on, cars continue to change
The world is always evolving, businesses thrive and technology constantly changes, such as cars
Nothing stays the same, there were always renegades
Change is constant and renegades have always existed
Like Chief Sitting Bull, Tom Payne
Examples of historical renegades
Like Martin Luther King, Malcom X
Examples of modern-day renegades
They were renegades of the atomic age
They were renegades during this specific era
So many renegades
Lots of renegades have existed throughout history
Hand clap, hand clap, the renegades
Celebrating the renegades with a hand clap
From a different solar system many many galaxies away
The idea that the renegades are so different they could be from another world
We are the force of another creation
We represent a new creative force in music
A new musical revelation
A new way of expressing music
And we're on this musical message to help the others listen
They are trying to spread a message through music
Improve momentum and seek the electronic chance
Pushing forward with what is possible with electronic music
Like astrology
Comparing the impact of renegades to the impact of astrology
Like technology
Comparing the impact of renegades to the impact of technology
Like God's Creation
Comparing the impact of renegades to the impact of creation
Like the Zulu station
An example of renegades using music to spread their message
Like to the nation
The message is not just for one group, it's for everyone
Like destroy all nations
A rebellious message
Like militants
Renegades are often compared to militants
Like down in sand
Referencing the struggles faced by renegades
Like through changes ,nothing stays the same
Renegades thrive in change and change is always happening
Oh renegades
A celebration of renegades
Now renegades are people with their own philosophy
Renegades have their own ideas and beliefs
They change the course of history
Their ideas can have a lasting impact on society
Everyday people like you and me
Renegades can be regular people
You know they have their secret notions
Renegades have their own unique beliefs and ideas
And time is endless motion
Time always moves forward
All people of the moderate ages here in this twentieth century
All people who live in this era
You have to keep up in time with the moderate time
You have to keep evolving with the times
A state of mind and a sense of pride
The mindset and confidence of a renegade
A renegade, yes a renegade
Proudly identifying as a renegade
Of this time and age
Belonging to this specific era
So many renegades
There are many people who identify as renegades
Who's that
Asking who the renegades are
Now hand clap
Celebrating the renegades with a hand clap
We're the renegades of funk
Proudly identifying as renegades of funk
Poppin', sockin', rockin' with a side of hip-hop
A description of their energetic music
Because where we're goin' there ain't no stoppin'
Their determination to keep going forward
We're teachers of the funk
Not just entertainers, but also trying to educate through their music
And not of empty popping
Their music has a deeper purpose than just dancing
We're blessed with the Force and the sight of electronics
They have been gifted the ability to use electronic music in their art
With the bass, and the treble
The different elements of their music
The horns and our vocals
More elements of their music
You know everytime we pop into the beat we get fresh
Their music is always evolving and staying fresh
There was a time when our music
Remembering where they came from
Was something called the Bay Street beat
Describing their old sound
People would gather from all around
Their music brought people together
To get down on the Bay sound
To dance to their music
You had to be a renegade those days
Their music was considered rebellious
To take a man on the dance floor
Their music was so popular that it would inspire people to dance
Like Afrika Bambattaa and the Soulsonic Force
They were considered renegades in their time
We're talking about Mr.B, Pow Wow, G-L-O-B-E
Naming other renegades from their time
Was a renegade, yes, a renegade of the atomic age
These other renegades were considered to be trailblazers during this era
So many renegades
There were plenty of other renegades during their time
What's that
Asking what the noise is
It's a hand clap
Someone is clapping
Just jam sucker
Encouraging someone to dance to their music
Say jam sucker
Asking someone to start dancing
Say groove, sucker
Asking someone to groove to the beat
Say dance, sucker
Asking someone to dance
Now move, sucker
Asking someone to move to the music
Everybody say
All together now
Shake that thing
Asking someone to dance
That makes me swing
The music is so good it makes them want to dance
I got some great
A shoutout to someone who is doing great things
He's a renegade of funk
Identifying someone as a renegade of funk
Mr. Biggs
Calling out someone's name
Bambaataa
Calling out someone's name
Pow Wow
Calling out someone's name
And MC Globe
Calling out someone's name
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AASIM BEY BAMBAATAA, JOHN ROBIE, ARTHUR BAKER, ROBERT ALLEN, JOHN MILLER, ELLIS WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sharinglungs3226
Whoa, crazy how different ratm’s take on this song. Pretty much just the lyrics.
@wimbledan
Not only a choon but also a history lesson. Kids listen and dance
@denisndavi
Solid old school!
@patrickheidelberg8809
Back in the day having fun wbls 98.7 kiss FM New York was doing the damn thing much love wish those days would come back
@HannibalHector714
1980's BBOY4LIFE 😎👌🏾
@erichansen6827
Why is there not more love for this?
@analogsynthmuseum784
the tr808 sound like another different beatbox, nice job for this classic of the 80s electrofunk history.
@sexobscura
lookin for the perfect beat
seekin for the perfect beat
searchin for the perfect beat
@starchild3443
I miss those days!!!
@michaelschildgen2296
say what you want without this original cut we would not have the awesome version from rage against the machine.... listen to planet Rock by soulsonicforce, it's badass...