Old School Hip Hop · GenresWhat is old school hip hop?
The term old school hip-hop, old school hip hop, or old school rap, refers to the style of hip-hop prevalent from around 1978-1986. It featured a traditional rap style with disco beats and later evolved and fused with the techno equipment developed later in the 1980s, creating the electro-hop sound.
About old school hip hop
Two examples of old school hip-hop acts are Kool Herc from the Bronx, and Disco Daddy from Los Angeles. As a musical genre, old school hip-hop was preceded by Disco and succeeded by gangsta rap and the golden age of rap (1986-1989).
From Last.fm, where 1,476 listeners have tagged music as old school hip hop.
Artists to start with
Albums to hear first
The Cactus Album
Straight Up Sewaside
THE FORCE
Criminal Minded
Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop
Strictly Business
Coastin'
WhistleOld School Hip Hop songs
- Chief Rocka by Lords of the Underground
- Mass Appeal by Gang Starr
- The Bridge Is Over by Boogie Down Productions
- Doowutchyalike by Digital Underground
- Treat 'em Right by Chubb Rock
- Five Minutes Of Funk by Whodini
- Teenage Love by Slick Rick
- 9mm Goes Bang by Boogie Down Productions
- Freaks Come Out At Night by Whodini
- Basketball by Kurtis Blow
Old School Hip Hop on Risocast
Here Comes Kane, Scoob and ScrapNeighbouring genres
In the hip hop family. All genres
cloud rapabstract hip hopconscious hip hopalternative hip hopboom baprap metalhip hopdrilleast coast hip hopemo rapgangsta rapgrimeQuestions
- What is old school hip hop?
- The term old school hip-hop, old school hip hop, or old school rap, refers to the style of hip-hop prevalent from around 1978-1986. It featured a traditional rap style with disco beats and later evolved and fused with the techno equipment developed later in the 1980s, creating the electro-hop sound. Two examples of old school hip-hop acts are Kool Herc from the Bronx, and Disco Daddy from Los Angeles.
- Who are the best-known old school hip hop artists?
- By Last.fm listening: J.J. Fad, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Big Daddy Kane, Boogie Down Productions, Lovebug Starski and Grandmaster Flash.
- What genres are similar to old school hip hop?
- On Risocast it sits with cloud rap, abstract hip hop, conscious hip hop, alternative hip hop, boom bap and rap metal.
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Updated 6 October 2026
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