Robert "Pow Wow" Allen

Hip Hop pioneer and musical icon Pow Wow, born Robert Darrell Allen, passed away on April 4,
2025, after a lifetime of genre-defining music. Pow Wow helped build the foundation of the hip-
hop movement. He was best known as a core member of the trailblazing group Soul Sonic
Force. He will be remembered as a pillar of community, a loving father and husband, and a
force of musical genius whose impact will be felt and heard for generations to come.
Born on December 25, 1961, in the Bronx to John Allen and Janie Pearson, Robert was musical
from a young age. His mother started calling him "Pow Wow" when he was a little kid; he was
obsessed with the cartoon The Adventures of Pow Wow, and the opening notes of the show
sparked his love of music. When Pow Wow was 11, his friend Daryl brought him to a party
where DJ Kool Herc was performing. Pow Wow was hooked on this new sound and became a
regular attendee at Kool Herc's parties at the Twilight Zone, where he was inspired by the
earliest hip-hop DJs and dancers such as Trixie, DJ Smokey and the Smokeatrons, Kool Herc
and the Herculoids, and others.
Pow Wow had 16 siblings. Starting at an early age, he hung out in the streets. Pow Wow and
his friends were surrounded by negative influences. Unlike today, they didn't have phones to
capture what was happening around them. Instead, they made music to preserve their culture
and the violence and injustices taking place in their neighborhoods. Pow Wow lived his youth
alongside drug dealers, pimps, and prostitutes. But amidst all that pain and struggle, he found
great inspiration and a powerful community.
In the early 1970's, Pow Wow made a name for himself as a talented B-Boy in the Bronx. His
moves were innovative and he dominated dance battles across the borough. Later he
transitioned to MCing, but he always loved to dance, and he mentored many up-and-coming
dancers including Marcus Rockwell and Little Boy Keith. Once MCing took hold of Pow-Wow's
ambitions, he honed his lyrical skills in parks across the Bronx, dominating battles with future
collaborators.
As an original member of the Zulu Kings, Pow Wow was a pioneer of hip hop. The Mighty Zulu
Kings embraced creativity, self-expression, and community, ushering in a new era of urban
music. Pow Wow would embody that ethos as his career evolved.
Africa Bambaataa originally formed Soul Sonic Force as a collective of several hip hop groups.
Pow Wow was then chosen as one of three for the recording line-up, along with Mr. Biggs and
MC Globe. Pow Wow took the mic for Soul Sonic Force's Zulu Nation Throwdown, produced by
Bambaataa, which was released in 1980. Then in 1982, Bambaataa combined his mashup style
with electronic music and Soul Sonic Force's unique sound to produce Planet Rock. Once that
single hit radio waves, Hip Hop was never the same, and electro-funk Hip Hop was born. While
recording Planet Rock, Pow Wow improvised with a "zzz zzz zzz" that became known as scat
rapping. The musical moment became a cultural milestone that would be endlessly sampled,
mimicked, and built upon.
In the eighties, as drugs further infiltrated the streets, Pow Wow was pulled in. He got into
trouble. But he still loved hard and was loved in return. Pow Wow had a huge heart, and no
matter his flaws and weaknesses, goodness guided him.
Pow Wow was a father to five beautiful children with Patricia Carter. They eventually went their
separate ways, and Patricia died in 2010. Sadly, Pow Wow's street lifestyle and career created
a distance between him and his children. But he eventually found a way to reconnect and
become the father he'd always wanted to be.
For years, Pow Wow was intrigued by Ursula Seville Allen, the head of a multimedia production
company. The two had mutual connections, and he often saw her at events. Ursula and Pow
Wow developed a work relationship in 2009. He was inspired by her magnetism, her work ethic,
and her talent, and they later married. Pow Wow raised Ursula's twins as his own, and they
formed a blended family through which music was the heartbeat. This was the motivation Pow
Wow needed to finally get sober; he wanted to live a long life for his family.
With Soul Sonic Force, Pow Wow sold millions of records worldwide. His musical talent, stage
presence, and the unique sounds of Soul Sonic Force inspired countless acts to come and built
the foundation on which Hip Hop blew up. He was a cultural institution and a mentor to many.
Pow Wow never let his fame distance him from his community. He was a peacemaker and a
trusted leader.
In 2014, Pow Wow was diagnosed with COPD. Tragically, he did not receive the treatment he
needed until 2024. The red tape of insurance and a lack of comprehensive support robbed Pow
Wow of many options that could have eased his pain and extended his life. He and Ursula
spoke out about the suffering caused by COPD, and they advocated for better coverage and
options for others facing from this condition. Ursula hopes Pow Wow's story will lead to
advancements in the treatment of the disease that eventually took his life.
Alongside great love and respect from his fans and peers, Pow Wow has been awarded two
proclamations been recognized by the Hip Hop Hall of Fame for his groundbreaking
contributions to music. He was also awarded a Hip Hop Humanitarian Award. He will be
remembered as a father of electro-funk Hip Hop.
At times, Pow Wow was a polarizing figure. He faced challenges, and he wasn't always on the
right track. But his love for his family and his community shone through even the darkest days.
He was funny, raw, and passionate. He wanted to make the world a better place for his children
and future generations. Through his music, he connected people and made them feel alive.
Through his songs, he lives on.
Pow Wow is survived by his wife, Ursula Seville Allen; his siblings, Pinky, Phyllis, and Lawanda
Hudson; his children, Patricia Carter, Sakeena Carter, Keenan Allen, Coty Carter, Kayla Carter,
and Kade Carter, as well as Akaijah Evelyn and Akailah Evelyn; his grandchildren, Talik Carter,
Cheyene Carter, Keenan Allen Jr., Diamond Carter, Destiny Allen, Tahji Smith, Kendall Allen,
Jordyn Moore, Kamryn Carter, Trinity Smith, Kemoni Marlee Carter, Kaylen Allen, and Kylena
Allen; and his great-grandchildren Karter Morgan and Ryan Carter.
He was predeceased by his siblings, David, Wilbert, Earnest, Melvin, James, Roscoe, Jimmy,
Hermenia, Dorothy, Bernice, JoAnn, Grace, Sandra, JoAnn Glover, Dorothy Brown (Bunny),
Roswell, and Roslyn Hudson.