← all genres
·˚✦ genre guide ✦˚·

old school hip hop

what it is

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.

✦ meet the girls making old school hip hop →
women, non-binary artists, and bands with women, level by level

✦ start here: albums

THE FORCE by LL Cool J
THE FORCE
LL Cool J
open this album: apple music · spotify
Foundation by Brand Nubian
Foundation
Brand Nubian
open this album: apple music · spotify
The Cactus Album by 3rd Bass
The Cactus Album
3rd Bass
open this album: apple music · spotify
Straight Up Sewaside by Das EFX
Straight Up Sewaside
Das EFX
open this album: apple music · spotify
Strictly Business by EPMD
Strictly Business
EPMD
open this album: apple music · spotify
Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions
Criminal Minded
Boogie Down Productions
open this album: apple music · spotify

✦ who's making it, level by level

level 3 · one step out

cult favorites and indie darlings

Big Daddy Kane
397k listeners
Boogie Down Productions
306k listeners
Grandmaster Flash
350k listeners
The Sugarhill Gang
572k listeners
Run-D.M.C.
617k listeners

level 4 · further

art pop, hyperpop, and the underground

Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
134k listeners
J.J. Fad
80k listeners
Mixmasters
55k listeners
Fat Boys
81k listeners
Kid 'N Play
41k listeners
Spoonie Gee
44k listeners

level 5 · all the way

deep experimental

Lovebug Starski
7k listeners
Whistle
23k listeners
Just-Ice
34k listeners
C.O.D.
8k listeners
The Fearless Four
9k listeners
Original Concept
10k listeners
Ricta
8k listeners
T La Rock
26k listeners
Microphone Terrorists
1k listeners
Busy Bee
17k listeners
Oneya
2k listeners
Dana Dane
19k listeners

✦ make old school hip hop a playlist

turn these 23 artists into something you can press play on.

each artist's most played song, easing from level 1 out to 5

✦ nearby genres

hip-hopold schoolraphip hopold school rapelectrounderground hip-hop

questions

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.

What are good old school hip hop albums to start with?

Try THE FORCE by LL Cool J, Foundation by Brand Nubian, The Cactus Album by 3rd Bass, and Straight Up Sewaside by Das EFX.

Who are some women making old school hip hop?

musicisforgirls.com/genres/old-school-hip-hop/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making old school hip hop, from mainstream to underground.

genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21