Music Metrics Vault

Old school hip hop

Most popular artists in Old school hip hop

This chart is based on the monthly listeners metric for all artists tagged with the genre old school hip hop by Spotify. It may contain some errors or some data may not be up to date. You can check the artist profile to update data if necessary.

# Artist Monthly Listeners Followers
1
5,160,506
885,217
2
4,639,438
890,850
3
1,305,757
382,189
4
1,143,555
404,803
5
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
460,012
133,159
6
DJ Kool
362,314
36,593
7
Chubb Rock
162,967
151,582
8
D-Nice
50,347
98,691
9
Audio Two
41,151
43,121
10
Whistle
32,590
23,653
11
Twilight 22
29,257
10,621
12
Spoonie Gee
23,377
21,928
13
Funky 4 + 1
21,434
14,330
14
Utfo
21,429
61,197
15
World Class Wreckin' Cru
18,643
38,069
16
Three Times Dope
18,545
41,551
17
Dana Dane
18,269
103,710
18
West Street Mob
18,039
13,916
19
Roxanne Shante
16,848
106,985
20
Tuff Crew
12,620
18,037
21
Frankie Cutlass
6,873
7,525
22
Grandmaster Caz
5,873
25,839
23
Fab 5 Freddy
5,324
14,161
24
Grand Wizard Theodore
4,560
5,305
25
Busy Bee
4,338
13,844
26
Rock Master Scott
4,138
773
27
Disco Four
4,038
2,096
28
Stezo
3,842
8,934
29
Cold Crush Brothers
3,674
33,824
30
The Real Roxanne
3,245
62,063
31
Lovebug Starski
2,975
6,495
32
The Treacherous Three
2,920
35,728
33
Sparky D
1,186
2,644
34
The Younger Generation
559
223
35
U.T.F.O.
175
2,666
36
Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde
12
1,694
37
Ultimate Force
11
138

Some info about old school hip hop

Old school hip hop, an iconic genre born in the late 1970s, is much more than just a style of music; it's a cultural movement that laid the foundation for a global phenomenon. Emerging in the boroughs of New York City, specifically the Bronx, this genre was forged amidst block parties, rebellious street expression, and an urgent need for a voice among the marginalized communities. Unlike its successors, old school hip hop is characterized by its simpler rapping techniques and focus on fun and social issues, rather than the complex lyricism and aggressive themes often found in later forms.

During its inception around the late 1970s and early 1980s, old school hip hop was marked by its raw simplicity and energy. DJs and emcees played a crucial role in its communal vibes, with DJs like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash innovating techniques such as breakbeat DJing, where breaks in funk and soul songs were isolated and looped to create continuous rhythm tracks for parties. This would not only energize the crowd but also provide an instrumental backdrop for emcees to rap over.

Key artists who were instrumental in defining the old school era include groups and rappers like Run-D.M.C., Sugarhill Gang, and Afrika Bambaataa. The latter’s "Planet Rock" is often heralded as a pioneering work for incorporating synthesizer sounds with traditional hip hop beats, pushing the genre into new sonic territories. Meanwhile, Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" was among the first tracks to introduce hip hop to a global audience, marking a pivotal moment in the genre’s history as it moved from street corners to the international stage.

The lyrical content of old school hip hop often revolved around party scenes, everyday life, and sometimes a commentary on social issues, albeit less politically charged than in the genre's golden age phase that followed. Its rhymes and chants were more about creating a lively atmosphere and less about the deeper narrative content that would characterize later hip hop. This can be seen in the works of artists like Kurtis Blow and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, whose track "The Message" provided a stark portrayal of life in urban America, making it one of the earliest examples of socially conscious hip hop.

Old school hip hop's beat-driven music heavily influenced the performing arts, particularly breakdancing and graffiti, creating a synergistic cultural movement known as "hip hop culture". This genre not only served as an expressive outlet but also as a significant community builder, knitting tight bonds among youths across different boroughs of New York.

Globally, old school hip hop's influence can be seen across continents from Europe to Asia, where it gave rise to local movements and styles, attesting to its universal appeal. Countries such as the UK, Germany, and Japan, among others, embraced the genre, adapting its elements to their cultural contexts.

In conclusion, old school hip hop remains a vital root of the broader hip hop tree. Its emphasis on beats, party vibes, and community continues to inspire a wide range of artists and genres. Whether echoed in modern rap battles or sampled in contemporary electronic music, the spirit of old school hip hop lives on, a testament to its pioneering artists and enduring legacy.