NC bill would name official state hip-hop song
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Petey Pablo performing at Lovin' Life in 2024. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
A new Senate bill proposes adopting the song "Raise Up" as North Carolina's official state hip-hop song.
Why it matters: All my fellow North Carolinians know the 2001 hit by Petey Pablo. We've all, at some point, whipped a towel or other fabric above our heads and belted along: "This one's for North Carolina! Come on and raise up. Take your shirt off, twist it 'round your hand. Spin it like a helicopter."
- You've heard it at Panthers and Hurricane games, Lovin' Life Music Fest and on the radio.
If passed, the bill would give "Raise Up" official recognition, paying it the same respect our state shows the dogwood flower (state flower) and the cardinal (state bird).
- North Carolina has a list of state symbols: Milk is our state beverage. Sweet potatoes are our vegetable. Honeybees are our insects.
What they're saying: "'Raise Up' was released in August 2001 as a tribute to the people of North Carolina and maintains its cultural significance as an anthem for the State," the bill reads.
The big picture: The bill acknowledges the worldwide celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop in 2023 and highlights HBCUs' influence on the genre:
- "North Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities have helped shape the rich and diverse sound of North Carolina's hip hop artists," it states.
Context: Petey Pablo was born and raised in Greenville, as were other hip hop icons mentioned in the bill, including J. Cole, Rapsody, 9th Wonder, Phonte and Big Pooh.
- Grammy-nominated, Pablo was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
Between the lines: The bill was filed by Democratic Senators Natalie S. Murdock (Chatham, Durham), Kandie Smith (Edgecombe, Pitt) and DeAndrea Salvador (Mecklenburg).
- It's not the first state symbol up for debate this year. The House passed bills to add the Moravian cookie as the official state cookie and the Moravian star as North Carolina's official state star.
- Bill sponsor Rep. Donny Lambeth told Carolina Journal the bills were light-hearted, "feel-good" legislation.
The intrigue: Charlotte rapper DaBaby wants to create the next anthem of the Carolinas — a song that can rival Pablo's "Raise Up."
- A Tepper Sports & Entertainment spokesperson confirmed to Axios in January that they had had conversations with DaBaby about music.
What's next: Pablo will return to LLMF this year. He's set to take the 5th Street stage at 4:30pm on Saturday, May 3.