As you know, June is Black Music Month, and we are paying homage to the artists that have made their mark on the industry…including those hailing from the Tarheel State.
North Carolina has a rich musical heritage, especially in Black music. Of course, we know some major names with known NC roots, from soul singers Fantasia and K-Ci & JoJo to hip-hop heavyweights like 9th Wonder, Rapsody and J. Cole. However, there are some other big names in the business that a lot of us may not know have NC roots!
Here are some of the legendary Black music icons that originally called North Carolina “home.”
1. Roberta Flack
The soulful voice behind classics like “Killing Me Softly (With His Song)” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” hails from Black Mountain.
2. Nina Simone
Born Eunice Waymon in 1933, the prodigy from Tryon would become one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.
3. George Clinton
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