"[1] On October 9, 2013, Fiasco announced that the first single from his fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth, would be a song featuring Ed Sheeran titled "Old School Love".

[2] In the song, Fiasco professes his love for old-school hip hop through his lyrics, as Ed Sheeran sings the soulful, laid-back hook.

[5] Also, Fiasco gives reasons for his move from making political music and "runs through hip-hop's roots and gently critiques the present" era of hip hop.

[6] Additionally, he references The Fat Boys, Melle Mel and pre-Law & Order Ice-T.[7] The DJ Frank E production is backed by a spare R&B-tinged, melodic piano-based instrumental.

[9] John Sakamoto of The Toronto Star said, the "song's affection is old-school hip-hop, which means this smooth, frictionless ballad is 4 1/2 minutes of pure nostalgia.