What punk subgenre is known for its working-class roots and skinhead following? Oi! is the British punk subgenre associated with working-class youth and skinhead culture.
Oi! emerged in the United Kingdom, especially London's East End, during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It sought to unite punks, skinheads, and other disaffected working-class young people. Its sound combined first-wave punk with football chants, pub rock, drinking songs, mod influences, and British rock traditions.
The term was popularized by Sounds journalist Garry Bushell, who used it in connection with bands such as Cockney Rejects, Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, The 4-Skins, and The Business. “Oi!” itself is a British expression meaning “hey.”
A common misconception is that Oi! was exclusively a skinhead or far-right genre. Although some scenes and performers became associated with racism and nationalist politics, the original movement was broader, and many Oi! bands rejected fascism. Street punk later developed partly from the Oi! sound and aesthetic.