Carolinas on the Rise | The Industries Next Big Market

As we near the end of January, it looks like 2019 is going to be the year the music industry for the Carolinas finally takes off.

Outside of J.Cole dropping his new single Middle Child, The big news coming out of the Carolinas is DaBaby signing to Intersope. DaBaby, 27, has been a known figure in the Carolina music scene for some time now. When I first came across him, 102 Jamz was playing his single Light Show in 2016. Back then he went by Baby Jesus. Fast forward, he is one of the hottest artist emerging from the south, boasting his own unique style venturing away from the Atlanta wave that had the industry in a deadlock. To be honest, every artist I am about to mention has one thing in common. They aren’t like anyone else out. That’s part of the reason why this is so special for the Carolinas. Two states that have been overlooked for years by the music industry.

DaBaby

DaBaby is coming off a big 2018 campaign that saw him release his Blank Blank. A very balanced EP that showcases his ability to create just about any song you want to hear. The intro ‘Next Song’ captures his ability to make a song for the streets, No Tears and ‘Deserve It’ displays his lyrical range and proves that he can make songs with depth while 21 proves that he can still make radio hits. No mumble rap here, Da Baby is serious about his craft and is one of the few new rappers that can actually spit. The tape recently made it to Apple music’s top 50. 2018 also saw him “live what he raps” after he shot and killed a would-be robber that confronted him at Walmart.

Miriam Tolbert and DJ Chuck T, both prominent figures in the NC underground scene have both made comments on just how important his ‘come up’ is.

“This is huge for the scene” – Miriam Tolbert

“DaBaby getting signed to Interscope is super important to a lot of us here in the Carolinas because he came up the traditional way. He paid to perform at showcases, he pulled up on DJs at the club and blessed us for playing his records, he went from city to city passing out flyers, CDs, and hanging posters, he threw money in strip clubs, used local studios, producers, and videographers for his projects and has a team that was formed and based right here in Charlotte. A lot of “BIG” or well known Carolina artists have come up by a stroke of good luck or by “knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone “ who plugged them in. A lot of “US” don’t have those connections or haven’t gotten that lucky yet. All we have is the grind. WE SHOULD ALL BE MOTIVATED TO KEEP GRINDING!‬” – DJ CHUCK T

Chuck T said it best. No one popping from the NC area has the story DaBaby has. He has grinded his way to the top of NC’s musical food chain with nothing past the belief that he was special. Though the grind wasn’t always glamorous, what his accomplishment means for Carolinas music scene will be.

Below is his single ‘Walker Texas Ranger.’ A song that reached a million views on Youtube in a week.

$tunna 4 Vegas

There aren’t many words to explain what Stunna is doing right now. But believe me, the kid is snappin.’ Rich Whammy, Big 4X (read as 4 times), Head youngin.’ This young MC out of Salisbury NC has the streets on fire.

2018 saw him gain heavy momentum. A pure southern street MC who doesn’t sound like anyone from Atlanta. I first came across his music when prominent NC producer and DJ – DJ Beazy released the first ever Carolina Freshman list. I was an instant fan. Raw and unapologetic in his approach to music, Stunna isn’t like anyone in the industry right now.

He and DaBaby are known associates and have both worked their way out of obscurity. Their song ‘4x’ is currently sitting at 2 million views on YouTube.

You might as well get acquainted with the youngin’ from NC. I predict he is the next independent NC artist to sign a major deal.

Renni Rucci

Another artist featured on the Carolina freshman class list last year. Like the two gentlemen, Renni had a year to remember in 2018. The Columbia SC native is a stripper turned MC who has seen steady growth in her popularity since picking up the mic. Her ‘Lil Baby’ Freestyle is currently boasting a gaudy 6.7 million views on YouTube.

The half Irish, half black southern vixen also dropped a banger with Yachty ‘Cold Hearted’ late last year. On her IG live she is seen happily signing an undisclosed contract. She hasn’t released any new visuals so far this year but we are still in January. Odds are she is gearing up for a big 2019 campaign and will be putting SC on her back!

There are several great talents in the Carolinas. Since launching this blog two years ago one of my biggest goals was to help the Carolinas push their music scene. In the music industry we are underrepresented and quite frankly overlooked. Thanks to these artists, their teams and all the Dj’s and promoters with the same vision I feel like 2019 will finally be that year. Shoutout another NC artist I should cover in the comments below.