The golden Era of Rap
Most people know about the American Hip Hop golden era of the mid 80s to early 2000s because of the abundance of great Hip Hop music that was produced during that era. But what most don't know is that Sweden also saw a kind of miniature golden era where underground rap was growing and thriving showing a huge potential. Unfortunately that growth was cut short to make way for evolution and it's up to each individual to decide whether they feel good or bad about that.
RE.street, a Stockholm based vintage streetwear brand is making a move and shining light on that important but forgotten era on the Swedish rap scene with a mixtape. They compiled music from a time when the dream for most Swedish rappers was to perfect the art of rapping and release a twelve inch vinyl single that would maybe end up on a mixtape across the atlantic. A time when the rap scene was thriving with freestyle cyphers in the small record shops and clothing boutiques as well as outside the Hip Hop parties. A time when you could tell by someone's fashion choice that they were indeed a Hiphopper.
Sweden's Early Scene
Hip-hop arrived in Sweden in the early 1980s, introduced primarily through movies like Wild Style (1982) and Beat Street (1984), showcasing the fashion, breakdancing, graffiti, and rap. These films, along with MTV and American pop culture, sparked interest among Swedish youth and early adopters consumed the culture wholly despite the language barrier.
The first wave of Sweden’s rap was heavily influenced by American acts like Run-D.M.C. Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. By the mid-80s, artists started experimenting mainly by adapting to and emulating the American rap scene. Most artists rapped in English mimicking their American idols and as the scene matured in the late 80s, super talented artists like Neneh Cherry began putting rap from Sweden on the world stage.
The Beginning Of The End
The 1990s to 2000s marked the most transformative period for the Swedish Hip Hop scene. Rapping in English was seen as a way to connect to the global Hip Hop movement and appeal to a broader audience. Rappers like ADL, Cherno and Timbuktu were making significant waves on the Swedish as the European underground scene.
However, by the late 90s, a shift began when a group called The Latin Kings led the charge by rapping in Swedish. This was groundbreaking, as it introduced a localized, authentic voice to Swedish Hip Hop. Their lyrics hit home in the suburban areas with immigrant experiences and social issues, making their music relatable to a broader audience.
This switch to Swedish allowed Hip Hop to grow as a medium for storytelling and cultural expression within Sweden. The success of The Latin Kings and artists like Ken ring and Ayo showed that rapping in Swedish could resonate deeply with local audiences.
As the 2000s progressed, more artists adopted Swedish as their primary language for rap. The trend of using Swedish lyrics expanded the scene but left behind those who were truly skilled in traditional English rapping and an era slowly died out. By the mid 2000s very few rappers released rap in English and even fewer made it up from the underground to the mainstream. The shift to Swedish elevated the genre nationally but also stifled the potential of exporting Sweden’s rap talent internationally.
Throwback Music And Fashion
RE.street went back in time on the Swedish streets to pinpoint and curate music to pay homage to the rappers that set the tone and were the most influential of that time. They had the most fresh styles in both rap and fashion and stood out on the Swedish scene as trendsetters.
Since RE.street is a throwback vintage street fashion brand the mixtape is put together with a backdrop of interludes about Hip Hop fashion. There is also a narrative about fast fashion and sustainability, matching the old with the new way of thinking about consumption.
A Great Legacy
The Lost Golden Era of Sweden's rap may have faded into the background as the scene evolved, but its influence still echoes in the foundations of Swedish Hip Hop culture. It was a time when passion, authenticity, and artistry thrived—when the focus wasn’t on streams or algorithms but on crafting verses, perfecting flows, and keeping the spirit of Hip Hop alive in underground cyphers and vinyl releases.
RE.street’s mixtape not only attempts to revive this forgotten era but reminds us of the importance of preserving cultural history. By bridging the gap between music and fashion, old and new, RE.street shines a light on the trailblazers who made Sweden’s golden era of rap a reality. In doing so, they invite us to honor that legacy while reimagining how it can inspire future generations of Hip Hop lovers, creators, and trendsetters.
The golden era may be lost, but its essence lives on—through mixtapes, memories, and the enduring influence it has left on Sweden’s streets, soundscapes and fashion.
Listen to Lost golden Era Here: