Old School Hip Hop has the sound of Hip Hop’s early years. Simple, TR808 beats, few instrumental samples other than a bassline, and straight forward, boastful or party rhymes. You know, two turntables and a microphone, no DAT, no digital sampler. Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel, Whodini UTFO, Run DMC and even the Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill are all truly Old School, while the Mos Def/Black Thought penned Double Trouble tribute is an example of contemporary artists experimenting with an Old School sound.