To celebrate Black History Month, take a journey into the history of African American music in North Carolina with our curated Spotify playlist.
A Q&A with Our State’s Resident Playlist Maker: Mark Kemp
Each month, our senior editor, a former music editor of Rolling Stone, curates one-of-a-kind Spotify playlists featuring North Carolina songs and musicians. We sat down with him to find out more about his love of music.
An Our State Playlist: The North Carolina Music Primer
Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of 10 songs about North Carolina that every North Carolinian should know.
A Christmas Hymn
Growing up in a chilly 1950s household in Lumberton, a prodigy received the gift of music — a beautiful cherrywood piano. The instrument guided him through hardship, triumph, and, ultimately, redemption.
An Our State Playlist: A Carolina Christmas
Deck the halls and hit play on our curated Spotify playlist, which features a merry selection of classic and original holiday tunes by North Carolina artists.
An Our State Playlist: Cozy Tunes for Autumn
Curl up with our curated Spotify playlist, which features a comforting selection of tunes by homegrown artists — perfect for sweater weather in North Carolina.
An Our State Playlist: Mountain Music
Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of Appalachian folk music and bluegrass — the perfect soundtrack for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, from Sparta to Cherokee.
A Road’s Refrain
On fall break from college in the early 1980s, a writer and his loyal English setter took a road trip from Watauga County to the Qualla Boundary, accompanied by the sweet sounds of fiddles, banjos, and high-lonesome harmonies.
An Our State Playlist: The North Carolina Folk Festival
Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of the talented artists from North Carolina and beyond that are performing at this year’s event.
