old school
what it is
Old School refers to artists who laid the basics for a certain genre which since then has taken new directions. It is commonly used in various genres including hip-hop, punk, metal and various styles of electronic dance music.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make old school a playlist
turn these 33 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is old school?
Old School refers to artists who laid the basics for a certain genre which since then has taken new directions. It is commonly used in various genres including hip-hop, punk, metal and various styles of electronic dance music.
What are good old school albums to start with?
Try In Effect Mode by Al B. Sure!, Zapp by Zapp, Return Of The Boom Bap by KRS-One, and One Foot in the Rave by Shitmat.
Who are some women making old school?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/old-school/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making old school, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20