Various - Crew Cuts - generic cover - Island - Old Skool Electro

Information on the Old Skool Electro Genre

Old Skool Electro (sometimes called electronic hip hop, electronic rap or robot hip hop) is the fusion of electro, electronica, or techno with hip hop. The electro-hop movement had come about after seeing the underground electro movement on the East Coast gain popularity with artists such as Mantronix, Man Parrish, Jonzun Crew, Newcleus, Planet Patrol etc. The electro sound was pioneered by Kraftwerk and was further developed by Zulu Nation leader and hip-hop godfather Afrika Bambaataa. This style of hip-hop had its huge underground fanbase based primarily in Southern California. An eastern strand of electro was born from DJ Arthur and Diesel D in late 2006. They hold a strong underground following in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee; it likely developed independently of other influences, such as Crunk and Snap music.

Following the decline of disco music in the late 1970s, various electro-funk artists such as Zapp & Roger began experimenting with talk boxes and the use of heavier, more distinctive beats.

In 1982, Bronx based producer Afrika Bambaataa released the seminal track "Planet Rock", which contained elements of Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express and "Numbers" (from Kraftwerk's Computer World album). "Planet Rock" is widely regarded as a turning point in the electro genre.

In 1983, Hashim created the influential electro funk tune "Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)" which became Cutting Record's first release in November 1983. At the time Hashim was influenced by Man Parrish's "Hip Hop, Be Bop", Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science" and Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock" . Also in 1983, Herbie Hancock, in collaboration with Grand Mixer D.ST, released the hit single "Rockit".

Bambaataa and groups like Planet Patrol, Jonzun Crew, Mantronix, Newcleus and Juan Atkins' Detroit-based group Cybotron went on to influence the genres of Detroit techno, ghettotech, breakbeat, drum and bass and electroclash. Early producers in the electro genre (notably Arthur Baker, John Robie and Shep Pettibone) featured prominently in the Latin Freestyle (or simply "Freestyle") movement. By the late 1980s, the genre had parted from its initial funk influences. Baker and Pettibone enjoyed robust careers well into the house era, and both eluded the "genre trap" to successfully produce mainstream artists.