Ryan Cocca

Raised in Chapel Hill, NC, Ryan Cocca covered hip-hop for INDY Week before becoming a full-time furniture entrepreneur. He has since returned to music writing as Founder/Editor of Super Empty.

Q&A

Inbox Intro: 9OFHEARTS

Emailing with the Greensboro rapper about his "debut" album, shaking off nihilism, and asking more of leading artists.

New Music

Catch Of The Day

Professor Payne's "night fishing," and a new wave of 919 abstract rap.

Q&A

Solomon Fox, IRL

The Durham native’s absurd Instagram videos have garnered praise from the likes of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. But as he rolls out his first solo album in four years, going viral is one of the last things on his mind.

Q&A

Irving Allen's Next Stage

More than a decade ago, the 38-year-old parlayed his experiences as a rapper and promoter into a career of community organizing. Now he's got his sights set on Greensboro city council.

New Music

PREMIERE: MrGroovology x Napoleon Wright II - "I'm Ready" (ft. Carlitta Durand)

Listen to the soulful, clear-eyed first single from the multi-talented Triangle duo's upcoming album, NO MAP.

Q&A

Inbox Intro: $hake

Emailing with the Wilmington rapper about his sound, his city, and Plato.

New Music

Seeing Sounds: End-of-Summer Edition

Catching up on a surfeit of late summer music videos, from TiaCorine, Reuben Vincent, MESSIAH!, sosocamo, and more.

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The Scene

Rebirth of the Cool

Talking with Art of Cool cofounder Cicely Mitchell about the upcoming Missy Lane's Block Party — a years-in-the-making tribute to jazz, Durham, and do-overs.

The Scene

PHOTOS: Raleighwood Fest 2025

A milestone indie music moment in Raleigh, through the lenses of Isaac Aiello and Jeyhoun Allebaugh.

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Q&A

Shame Gang Has Put In The Work

On the doorstep of his first major release in two years, the Raleigh-based, "blue-collar" artist's hustle and knack for relationship-building continues to bear fruit.

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The Scene

LesTheGenius and Ricky Ricardo's In-State Intuition

Opinion

North Carolina's Senators Give Local Music a Nice Big Middle Finger

With its series "Shaped By Sound," PBS NC put a spotlight on acts like Reuben Vincent, Sonny Miles and Shirlette Ammons. Months later, Sens. Tillis and Budd voted to cut $4 million of their funding.

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The Scene

What Happened to Hip-Hop at Hopscotch?

The latest Hopscotch lineup is a sign that the genre isn’t being taken seriously by the festival — or by the Triangle region as a whole.

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Q&A

Inbox Intro: Sacredd919

Emailing with the 21-year-old Durham native about his city, his message, and making the choice to finally embrace rap.

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New Music

Month 101: June

The biggest and best releases from an unreasonably hot month in North Carolina.

Super Empty Threw An Event. It Was Awesome.

An only slightly biased recounting of our first-ever event, a Durham screening for Nigel Malone's "Carolina Noise."

The Scene

The Hang, Vol. 2

Back outside for our collab mix with Mikey Sharks and One Speaker Radio.

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New Music

What To Listen To This Week: June 18

Five NC-based tracks worth fitting into your busy schedule.

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Q&A

Pre-Show: Tre. Charles

Before stepping on stage in Saxapahaw last month, the evocative alt-R&B singer/songwriter paused to let us know what's on his mind.

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Q&A

Does North Carolina Have a Sound?

Talking with Nigel Malone about his new film on the identity of NC hip-hop, "Carolina Noise," before our joint screening event in Durham on June 12th.

Q&A

Inbox Intro: Lamaj

Emailing with the rising Charlotte rapper about Yu Yu Hakusho, Mac Miller and more.

The Scene

Dreamville Fest Is Too Good of a Party — And Business — To Shut Down

A dispatch from the not-so-final installment of Dreamville, the biggest spectacle in North Carolina music.

Opinion

What Should Be The Official Hip-Hop Song of North Carolina?

Last week, a trio of state legislators proposed the Petey Pablo classic "Raise Up." But a more recent NC anthem comes to mind, too.

The Scene

Til Death Do Us Art and Super Empty Present: Live From Teardrop FM

A stacked lineup brings a bit of everything to Kings Raleigh on May 10th.

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New Music

Month 101: February

A living legend hints at filling the political superstar void, and sixteen other tracks from last month that are worth your time.