Spanish hip hop music began in the late 1980s. Break dance crews used mainly American recordings, while local rappers practised for very small underground audiences. A few rock bands, like Os Resentidos , Kortatu and TDK tried and recorded some approaches to hip hop music, but kept most of their hard rock background.

In 1989 Troya Dscs&Rcrs label released the first Spanish hip hop LP: Madrid Hip Hop , a compilation of four bands from the province of Madrid: DNI, Estado Crítico , Sindicato del Crimen and QSC . The record presented two cuts of each band.

Later in 1989, Ariola major label tried a new push to establish some hip hop stars, with a new compilation of Madrilene hip hop music: Rappin Madrid , introduced more solists and groups, like MC Randy & D.J. Jonco.

Both attempts mostly failed, but helped to establish a viable scene in Madrid. Zona Bruta , the first Spanish hip hop specialised label, was founded in 1994. Some Spanish rappers are African.

Some important Spanish hip hop artists are:

• Luchadores Mexicanos
• 7 Notas 7 Colores
• Los Verdaderos Kreyentes de la Religión de Hip Hop
• Frank T
• Solo Los Solo
• Club de los Poetas Violentos
• Ari
• La Mala Rodríguez
• El Payo Malo
• La Puta Opepé
• Jota Mayúscula
• Geronación
• Violadores del Verso
• Doble H
• Vecinos Locox
• Shuga Wuga
• NoNa