Hardstyle has always been more than a genre—it’s a journey. Since its beginning in the early 2000s, Hardstyle has grown and got categorized into subgenres, each with its own identity. Raw Hardstyle is one of the most impactful of these subgenres, known for its darker melodies, aggressive kicks, and relentless energy.

The term "Raw Hardstyle" didn’t appear overnight—it evolved organically as fans and artists sought to describe the harder, darker edge of Hardstyle that had always existed.

In the early days, artists across Hard Dance Music experimented with raw elements. Tracks like:

...paved the way for what we now call Raw Hardstyle—a term we have Zatox to thank for, as he released a track on Italian Hardstyle (SCANTRAXX) called 'Raw Style':

Even in the era of classic Hardstyle, rawer elements were present in the works of major names like DJ The Prophet, D-Block & S-te-Fan and Project One. What we now call Raw Hardstyle was, in many ways, always a part of Hardstyle’s DNA.

By the late 2000s and early 2010s, labels like A2 Records or Italian Hardstyle—launched by SCANTRAXX—provided a home for darker, harder tracks. A2 became a hot spot for artists like Ran-D, E-Force, Adaro, Gunz For Hire, Digital Punk, The R3belz, Alpha2 and fans who resonated with the raw, unpolished intensity of this sound. It wasn’t long before Raw Hardstyle gained recognition as a distinct subgenre with its own dedicated fanbase.

Over the years Raw Hardstyle has grown harder, faster, and darker. Kicks have become heavier, tempos have skyrocketed, and tracks now carry an intensity that wasn’t present in the early days. This evolution has pushed the genre to thrilling new heights with labels like Gearbox Digital, Aggressive Records and Spoontech Records.

But as exciting as the modern sound is, there’s something truly special about the early days of Raw Hardstyle—the era when the genre was first taking shape. That’s why we’re introducing OG Raw: a way to recapture the raw energy, heavy kicks, and dark melodies that defined the early days of the genre.

OG Raw isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about keeping the original sound alive while creating music that resonates with today’s Hardstyle fans.

We’re proud to bring OG Raw to life with exclusive artists like Nightcraft, Digital Punk, and Level One. The SCANTRAXX / A2 Records catalogue with contributions from legends such as Ran-D, Adaro, Gunz For Hire, Alpha 2, and E-Force! Or recent guest releases like Unresolved's "Hit The Floor (Edit)" and Rejecta's "Partystarter" remix. Together, these artists (and many more) embody the essence of OG Raw, proving that this sound continues to hold a powerful place in the Hardstyle scene today.

OG Raw is more than just a tribute to the past—it’s a celebration of Hardstyle in its entirety, keeping its roots alive and sharing the genre with fans around the world.

To celebrate OG Raw, we’ve curated a playlist that captures the essence of this sound. It features tracks that defined the early days and fresh releases inspired by this classic style.

Listen to the OG Raw Playlist now and relive the sound that shaped Raw Hardstyle's foundation.

What tracks do you think started Raw Hardstyle? Are there songs you believe should be part of our OG Raw playlist? Let us know and help us shape the ultimate Hardstyle experience.

Join the discussion here!