NEW YORK, April 10 -- Groundbreaking US hip-hop artist and DJ Afrika Bambaataa, known for his 1982 hit "Planet Rock," has died at age 68, his former record label said Thursday.

"With his passing, we reflect on his contributions to the genre and broader culture, which continue to this day," Tommy Boy Records said in an Instagram post alongside a picture of Bambaataa.

Celebrity news site TMZ, citing unnamed sources, reported that Bambaataa died from complications of cancer at about 3am (0700 GMT) Thursday in Pennsylvania.

Born in housing projects of the Bronx borough of New York City as Lance Taylor, the hip-hop icon got his start in entertainment by hosting block parties and drawing inspiration from early electronic music.

After growin...