On May 16, 2025, Mexico City-based hip-hop project ProntaCorde dropped their single “I Represent Old School,” and it’s everything the title promises—and then some. This track is a hard-hitting homage to the golden era of hip-hop, dressed in b-boy bravado and wrapped in a breakbeat-infused groove that’ll make your head nod like it’s 1985. But don’t get it twisted—this isn’t a simple retro pastiche. It’s a track that manages to balance nostalgia with fresh, high-octane production, all while sounding raw, real, and alive.
At the heart of ProntaCorde is Jose-Alberto Gallegos, the architect behind the DAW, samplers, and synths, and Abraham Madera, who mixed and mastered the track in Monterrey. Together, they’ve created a piece of music that doesn’t just nod at the past—it grabs it by the collar, drags it onto the dancefloor, and gives it new life.
From the very first beat, “I Represent Old School” throws you into the middle of a block party. You can almost see the cardboard on the pavement, the spray-painted boom boxes, and the breakdancers spinning under a streetlamp. But unlike many tracks that lean too heavily on throwback vibes, ProntaCorde brings something new to the table. There’s an undeniable modern sheen here, a clean yet gritty edge that makes the track equally comfortable in a retro playlist or a present-day DJ set.
It’s not just about the sound, though—it’s about the energy. The track’s production leans heavily into classic funk textures and breakbeat rhythms, echoing the DNA of hip-hop’s roots. Yet the layered synths and sharp vocal samples keep it feeling urgent and contemporary. There’s no mistaking the influence of artists like Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, the Beastie Boys, Chemical Brothers, and Groove Armada, but ProntaCorde channels those influences into something unmistakably their own.
“This is a b-boy dream anthem,” says Gallegos, and he’s right. The track was built to soundtrack battles, cyphers, and late-night dance sessions. Its call-and-response style vocals—a clear nod to Run DMC and the Beastie Boys—inject the track with the kind of raw, communal energy that defined hip-hop’s early years.
The song’s finale delivers its thesis loud and proud:
“Boy, you can’t just battle me / I got style that you can’t finesse… I Represent Old School!”
It’s not just a lyric—it’s a declaration of intent. This is a track for those who still believe in the roots of hip-hop, who value style over trends, and who remember when beats and bars were everything.
What really sets “I Represent Old School” apart is how it was made. The collaborative energy that drove the track is tangible. Recorded in Mexico City and brought to life in Monterrey, the process was organic and fueled by passion. As the song evolved, each layer added more excitement, culminating in a final mix that pulses with life. That “live, back-and-forth” dynamic, so rare in today’s overproduced landscape, brings a rawness that harks back to the genre’s earliest jam sessions.
There’s something beautiful about the way this track came together. It wasn’t made in a sterile studio with millions in gear—it was made by artists who care deeply about the music and its history, building each element up from scratch with heart and hustle.
In a music world that often chases what’s next, “I Represent Old School” is a powerful reminder of where we’ve been—and how much of that spirit still matters. It’s not about living in the past. It’s about honoring it, reigniting its flame, and pushing it into the future.
ProntaCorde has delivered more than just a song—they’ve dropped an anthem for purists, dancers, and dreamers. If you love hip-hop not just as a genre but as a culture, you’ll find something real in this track.
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