North Carolina hip-hop has long eluded simple categorization — too sonically diverse to be understood as a single, cohesive whole, too geographically diffuse to have one dominating cultural hub; too Southern for the tastes of some, not Southern enough for the tastes of others. That might explain why, even with its artistic fingerprints all over the past 30 years of hip-hop history, the state remains stubbornly overlooked, a sleeping giant whose talent and influence stretches well beyond its borders and outstrips its quiet reputation.
That legacy would be justification enough for its own dedicated platform or publication. But our field of view extends wider (and deeper), into not just NC hip-hop’s sounds or its brightest stars, but its role as an engine of creative culture statewide. In North Carolina, we see hip-hop everywhere — in new albums and emerging rap collectives, and also in rappers-turned-golf influencers, jazz festivals, soul/R&B maestros, Netflix cinematographers. Even campaigns for police accountability. For us, it’s less about a rigid definition than a distinct, intangible spirit — the same one that for years has brought together North Carolinian creatives and artists of all stripes, forging communal bonds that were often loosely defined but deeply felt. Super Empty exists for them, and for others who will follow in their footsteps in the years to come. We aim to be a forum, a guide, a living archive — and more than anything, a tribute to a culture that has always resisted easy labeling, that never had a place to call its own. Until now.
Super Empty is a magazine and media company, rooted in community journalism and dedicated to the hip-hop and creative culture of North Carolina. We publish interviews, essays, music criticism, event recaps, and more, collaborating with a wide range of journalists, artists and curators to present an intimate, authentic vision of the place we call home.
Founder/Editor: Ryan Cocca
Photo Editor/Audience Strategy: Jeyhoun Allebaugh
Contributing Writers: BrassiousMonk, BreYonna Beats, Chanel B, Dash Lewis, Eric Tullis, Fola Onifade, Tyler Bunzey, Yoh Phillips
Contributing Photographers/Illustrators: Brett Villena, Christian Arnder, Hanna Won, Isaac Aiello, Surf Mitchell, Tommy Coyote
Popular Stories
Ryan Cocca
Yoh Phillips
Dash Lewis
Music Submissions/Writing Pitches
We're always looking for new North Carolina-related stories to tell, and for writers, reporters and working artists who want to tell them. We're working on making a simple form for submissions, but in the meantime, please send all inquiries to ryan@superempty.com. Response time may take a week or more — we appreciate your understanding and patience.
