Now more than ever before, North Carolina has a valuable place in hip-hop. Following Fayetteville native; J. Cole’s come up, local rappers began to realize that national or even global success might be attainable. With Charlotte’s own, Da Baby and his overnight success that came with the release of his new album and nationwide tour Baby on Baby, and left him with a #1 hit on the billboard charts, came a string of other NC artists that all have something to prove.
Stunna 4 Vegas from Salisbury is the most prominent example. With his hit; Animal (ft. Da Baby) and his opening act on the Baby on Baby Tour, he showcased his hardened country flare on a national stage that learned to both recognize and respect him.
Female rapper TiaCorine from Winston Salem is also a local rapper who seems to be on the come up. She has received recognition from the notable morning radio show, The Breakfast Club. Her hit single, Lotto, personifies her suave “bubblegum rap” style and has given her a rightful place in the upcoming female hip-hop movement.
Local Underground artists are also beginning to get the recognition they deserve.
ZenSoFly, a female rapper from right here in Raleigh, has been opened up for artists as notable as Rico Nasty. Likewise, BiggKeso, another Raleigh native and rapper, has opened up for Megan the Stallion.
Rapper, Lil House Phone from Charlotte, has received national fame with his album, Voicemails, that has allowed him to headline tours and have features and shows with notable icons such as Father. Another Charlotte rapper, 10Cellphones, has gotten everything from interviews with No Jumper to mentions on Rap Genius and features on Elevator Mag for his new wave style rap that the internet adores.
Even rural NC has fostered upcoming stars.
New Bern’s Cloudy Nueve has gotten shootouts from Riff Raff, features on Lyrical Lemonade, and Elevator Mag and almost 50,000 views on his hit song; From the Durt.
The Lost Gen, a rap group from Wake Forest, has gotten recognition from hip-hop specialist and internet personality, Adam 22, and has consistently worked with notable upcoming artists like WifisFuneral and BigBabyGucci.
Needless to say, the hip-hop scene NC is coming up fast. For the first time really ever, many local hip-hop artists have easy access to a platform that could lead them to national recognition and even fame. Maybe soon, we’ll be bigger than the Atlanta hip-hop. Only time can tell.
Lul Bulma