Proper Usage of "Old School"...

[Brother McDuff]

So, what's the proper usage of the term "old school", anyway? I've always come to associate it with the very beginning wave of hip-hop artists (1975) through, i guess no later than like '84 or '85. But judging by the manner in which many others use the term, I've come to wonder if it simply refers to artists from "eras past", if you will. As in, 20 years from now, Jay-Z will then be old school.

My question is, is there a definitive answer to this, or is it more of a reflexive statement to be used at will? And if it doesn't specifically apply to one of these options, what do all of you out their in message-board-land think is the correct use of the all-encompassing "old school"?

[Mot]

BLAM (http://beastieboys.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=57680&)

[BroomHead]

I don't think it's relative. To me, 88' was the transition year from Old School to the Golden Era or whatever you want to call it.

[Auton]

i think it's almost completely relative

[Brother McDuff]

BLAM (http://beastieboys.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=57680&)

Oh fuck, sorry man. didn't bother searching for that one, mot, my bad.

[steve-onpoint]

i think it's almost completely relative

Yeah. I think so, too.

Richie and I thought it was wild that 1994's Player's Ball was on an Old School Wednesday ep in '97.

[DroppinScience]

The thing is, there's two terms that are bandied about... "Old School" rap and "Golden Age" rap. I've heard some say the golden age of rap is 1988-1994. Is that about right?

Going by that, "old school" is before '88.

[BroomHead]

I'd say the Golden Era is a little longer than that. It did start around 88 but it went till about 96. I mean you'd have to at least include 1995 because there were a lot of important records that year.

[Brother McDuff]

The thing is, there's two terms that are bandied about... "Old School" rap and "Golden Age" rap. I've heard some say the golden age of rap is 1988-1994. Is that about right?

Going by that, "old school" is before '88.

that sounds about right to me, or at least that's how i've always viewed it.

[Lex Diamonds]

I think old skool can be applied to anything that is about 10 years old or more. But this could change, as it seems to me rap is beginning to slow down in its development, ie the hip hop music of, say, 1998 doesn't sound too radically different to the hip hop of today. Compare any hip hop from '88 and '98 though, and you can tell which is old skool in a second.

[icy manipulator]

when i think old school hip hop i think pre 86. half of what i like from this era is hip hop, the other half most ppl call electro. stuff like cybotron, herbie hancock, man parish, hashim etc. if someone say do you like 80's hip hop i think the typical early 80's stuff like GMF, sugarhill, kurtis blow etc. i've never gotten in the 'golden era' between 'It takes a nation of millions' and 'Illmatic'. but if anyone has any recommendations i'm open to suggestion.

[Brother McDuff]

i've never gotten in the 'golden era' between 'It takes a nation of millions' and 'Illmatic'. but if anyone has any recommendations i'm open to suggestion.

the whole native tongues click is a must to check out:

a tribe called quest
de la soul
jungle brothers
black sheep

...to name a few.

[Kid Presentable]

I think old skool can be applied to anything that is about 10 years old or more. But this could change, as it seems to me rap is beginning to slow down in its development, ie the hip hop music of, say, 1998 doesn't sound too radically different to the hip hop of today. Compare any hip hop from '88 and '98 though, and you can tell which is old skool in a second.
98 sounds nothing like today.

[Lex Diamonds]

98 sounds nothing like today.
I'm saying the huge gulf between '88 and '98 is in no way comparable to the developments that have come between '98 and today.

[g-mile7]

98 sounds nothing like today.
How so after all the same topics of hoes, clothes and cash rolls is still regular today


In other news Mystikal aka Shake it Fast is out of prison