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: $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.

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New Music

Sinopsis Brings Kooley High Back to Earth

The Raleigh producer's third remix album is a warm, sophisticated, jazz-rap delight.

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New Music

Please Touch That Dial

A pair of Durham EPs give credence to the idea that a yearning for a more tactile and terrestrial existence remains very real.

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New Music

Deniro Farrar Tends To His Flock

On his contemplative and calm EP "The Shepherd," the veteran Charlotte emcee offers up clear-eyed enlightenment — and a "pay" button.

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Q&A

Arrest The President

The hip-hop of the Dubya era, and a quick Q&A with Justus League member Edgar Allen Floe.

New Music

Month 101: January

Ten independent NC hip-hop heaters to keep you warm between the false Springs.