Old-school hip hop

Old-school hip hop (also spelled old skool) (also known as disco-rap) is the earliest commercially recorded hip hop music and the original style of the genre. It typically refers to the music created around 1979 to 1983,^[1] as well as any hip hop that does not adhere to contemporary styles.^[2]

The image, styles and sounds of old-school hip hop were exemplified by figures like Disco King Mario, DJ Hollywood, Grandmaster Flowers, Grand Wizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kool Herc, Treacherous Three, Funky Four Plus One, Kurtis Blow, The Sugarhill Gang, Melle Mel, Super-Wolf,^[3] West Street Mob,^[4] Spoonie Gee, Kool Moe Dee,^[5] Busy Bee Starski, Lovebug Starski, The Cold Crush Brothers, Warp 9, T-Ski Valley, Grandmaster Caz, Doug E. Fresh, The Sequence, Jazzy Jay, Crash Crew, Rock Steady Crew, and Fab Five Freddy,^[6] Run-DMC.^[7]

It is characterized by the more straightforward rapping techniques of the time and the general focus on party-related subject matter.^[6] The lyrics were usually not a very important part of old-school rap songs, but always included shoutouts to the artists native New York City borough. Rap also emphasized the fashion of the time, whether it be Addidas, Kangol, Lee jeans, or the popular "Sheep dog" coats. Run, D.M. Further, Brother D's "How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise?" and Kurtis Blow's "Hard Times" (both released in 1980), explored socially relevant ideas. The release of "The Message" in 1982, written by Duke Bootee and Melle Mel and credited to Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, marked the arrival of hip hop as social commentary, making it possible for future artists like Public Enemy and N.W.A to create an identity based on socially conscious themes in later years.^[8] Fun rhymes, like the "Birthday Song" and "It's the Joint" rocked the airwaves. Old-school rappers are widely respected by current hip hop artists and fans, with many claiming they have contributed to the evolution of hip hop.^[9]