Hamilton ain’t the only way to get hip hop

By David Butler

As a city, Charlotte has a mainstream culture that loves to be on the forefront of trends. So, it’s no surprise people went crazy when Hamilton touched down here.

It’s also no surprise that Charlotte likes to take certain elements of creative culture and make them “digestible” for mainstream audiences. Simply put, not enough venues are willing to work alongside artists to build a culture conducive to showcasing our surplus of talent within the genre.  

Hip hop is the linchpin for Hamilton’s success, so why are the opportunities to experience its purest form within the Queen City are few and far in between? If you’re serious about diversifying your experience within Charlotte and its local scene by adding hip hop to your tool belt, here are a few places and people that can assist you on your journey.

Player Made (@WePlayerMade) at Snug Harbor
Featuring @ElevatorJay & #PVDFF
An unapologetic monthly Southern rap party every second Friday in Plaza-Midwood. Elevator is a DJ/Host here, but also be sure to check out his solo work as an emcee. He gives breath to Charlotte and the Carolinas like never seen before.

Repainted Tomorrow Hosted By Mariah Scott (@Peculiar_Hippie)
Featuring resident DJs/Beatmakers: @SimonSMTHNG, @_AxNT, @FLLSgood

This monthly event has the goal of uniting people around beats and lo-fi hip hop. There are often special guest performances from beat makers and emcees from around the state. Find out about upcoming shows by follow the crew and the hashtag #RepaintedTomorrow on Instagram.

  • Next Event: January 2019

Lute (@lute_west9)
Lute is a Charlotte-born-and-bread emcee who uses his music to describe his experiences -– from dropping out of high school to raising a daughter to being signed to J.Cole’s Dreamville label. He’s able to paint a vivid picture with his poignant delivery while keeping things relaxed with smooth production choices.

Yung Citizen (@YungCitizen)
If you find the content of hip hop too heavy for your palette and you’re looking for an alternative, I’d suggest you check out Yung Citizen -– another Charlotte native with a classically trained ear but the soul of a true emcee. His music will leave you equal parts sonically pleased and uplifted.

Autumn Rainwater (@youngleafy)
Is she a rapper? Is she a singer? Who cares, she’s lit! Autumn has a rare talent and unique perspective on song structure and melody. If you ever catch her live you’ll be hooked forever but you should definitely take some time to check out her last body of work so you can be prepared!

Honorable Mentions: Cyanca (@Cyanca.is), Sir Abstraxxx (@SirAbstraxxx), Brio (@BrioIsLife), and for any old school hip hop heads Lord Jahmonte (@jahmonteogbon).

 

Still hungry? Take a few more bites.