Bob Power, Legendary Hip-Hop & R&B Engineer, Dies at 74

'The KING of the Low End': Legendary Engineer Bob Power Dies at 74

Grammy-nominated producer and NYU professor, known for iconic work with A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, and D'Angelo, left an indelible mark on hip-hop and R&B.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 4, 2026, 5:30 AM PT · 2 min read

Renowned recording engineer and producer Bob Power, instrumental in shaping hip-hop and R&B, has

THE RUNDOWN

Recording engineer Bob Power passed away March 1, 2026, at 74.
Known for shaping hip-hop/R&B with A Tribe Called Quest, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu.
Questlove called him "the KING of the Low End."
Two-time Grammy nominee, also a professor at NYU.
Cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

The music world is mourning the loss of Bob Power, the highly influential recording engineer, producer, and musician, who passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the age of 74. News of his death was widely reported on March 3, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from artists and industry figures.

Power was celebrated for his groundbreaking work, particularly in shaping the sound of '90s hip-hop and R&B. His extensive discography includes seminal albums like A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar, Erykah Badu’s Baduizm, The Roots’ Things Fall Apart, and De La Soul’s De La Soul Is Dead. Artists consistently lauded his distinctive touch, especially his ability to craft powerful drums and seamlessly integrate samples. The Roots’ Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson famously dubbed him “the KING of the Low End,” adding, “Before Power, Hip Hop was chaotic & muddy… but man—when Bob entered our sonic sphere? Jesus.”

Beyond his studio wizardry, Power was also a dedicated educator, serving as an Arts Professor at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. He was a two-time Grammy Award nominee for his engineering work on Meshell Ndegeocello’s Peace Beyond Passion and India.Arie’s Acoustic Soul. Erykah Badu shared her appreciation, stating, “What a great loss for the music community today… You taught me soo much… Baduizm is thee most bass heavy singing album in history. You mixed like a TRIBE album!” His profound influence continues to resonate through generations of artists and engineers.