Pow Wow of The Soul Sonic Force has died at 63 years of age. His family issued a statement today (4/4) announcing his passing, and requesting privacy as they mourn. "Pow Wow was so much more than his name," the statement read.

"He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and business partner. Above all he was the foundation of our family. His wisdom, strength and love were unmatched, and his presence was a gift to all who knew him."

In an exclusive with Rock The Bells, Pow Wow's group mate and close friend M.C. G.L.O.B.E spoke of their friendship, forged in Hip-Hop. "Pow Wow and I grew up on 170th Street, Franklin and Fulton Avenue Bronx, New York." He explains that they met through his sister who was having an altercation in the lobby of his building, in which G.L.O.B.E intervened.

"I walked her to safety back to her building, and she told me that her brother's name was Pow Wow. She introduced us, and I became his B-Boy student. From there we got into Emceeing. He was already down with Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force, I was an MC, but I wasn't down with a group."

G.L.O.B.E, says that he asked to be down with the Funky 4, who didn't have any openings at the time, so he asked Pow Wow to take him across the bridge to meet Afrika Bambaataa, and that was his entry into The Soul Sonic Force. "Just like many B-Boys got bored with dancing and became MC's and DJ's, Pow Wow got bored with Emceeing," he explains. "I came up with style of MC Popping, and he and I went in hard, and took it to the next level.

He was already an established MC in Bronx River, and I just helped to make things bigger and better for all of us. May he Rest In Peace, his contribution goes even greater than that. He introduced a lot of powerful bricks and pillars to the foundation of the Universal Zulu Nation, and Hip-Hop.

He brought a lot of talent to Bronx River, and helped to form the Mighty Zulu Nation through Hip-Hop - dance and talent wise. He also brought a couple of real gangsters that helped build Zulu Nation. And he brought me. His contribution is deep man."

Originally a B-Boy, Pow Wow, born Robert Allen found success as an MC in D.J. Afrika Bambaataa's Soul Sonic Force. The Soul Sonic Force recorded for Paul Winley Records, releasing "Zulu Nation Throwdown" in 1980, but it was 1982's "Planet Rock" which single handedly put Tommy Boy Records on the map, and changed the landscape of Hip-Hop, dance, urban, and electronic music forever.

Pow Wow's famous "Zu Zuh Zuh" scat on "Planet Rock" was one of many of the songs most exciting moments, and was the result of Pow Wow forgetting his lyrics and improvising. In 1983 the group would release "Looking For The Perfect Beat", and "Renegades Of Funk", again redefining electronic music, along with producers Arthur Baker and John Robie.

The Soul Sonic Force was featured in 1984's seminal Hip-Hop film, Beat Street performing "Frantic Situation" (which also appeared on the soundtrack) with Shango. The Soul Sonic Force is one of only a few Hip-Hop recording acts from the first few years of recorded Rap to set the template for Rap as an industry. The chart topping recordings, and international success marked the walk which made it possible for those after them to run.

Rest In Peace Pow Wow.