The Scene

A collection of 21 posts

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The Scene

Durham Blues 🔵

Tomorrow night, a fixture of Bull City hip-hop returns to the fray. Plus: J. Cole's "The Fall-Off," Deniro Farrar's "Raw Materials," and more.

The Scene

Chicks & Rhymes, Vol. 5: A Listening Experience

Durham emcee Watty Z previews the upcoming mixtape from Defacto Thezpian.

Q&A

In Charlotte, Hip-Hop Scholarship Isn't Just For The Ivory Tower

Talking with dance professor Ashley Tate about her upcoming three-day hip-hop symposium, and the importance of integrating cultural studies and everyday life in Charlotte.

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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.

The Scene

Good 'Wood

SE's photo editor reflects on Raleighwood Fest 2025.

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LesTheGenius and Ricky Ricardo's In-State Intuition

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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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The Scene

And We're Just Getting Started: Reuben & Friends Celebrates Year 2 on Juneteenth

Righteousness! A Thursday night in CLT, celebrating Black artistry.

The Scene

The Hang, Vol. 2

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

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A Family Reunion, And The Start of a Highly Anticipated Album Rollout

Notes from Cyanca's KATINA listening party in Charlotte.

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.

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Once Upon a Time... on Glenwood

BreYonnaBeats looks back on the catharsis and communal spirit of the 2009 Raleigh nightlife series known as Tigallo's Two Step Thursdays.

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.

The Scene

Letter From Raleigh: For Onyx

After an indelible night at The Pour House, Tab One reflects on parenthood, resilience, and the welcome sight of a community coming together as one.

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Live From The 828

Five new releases show off the talent pouring out of the (oft-overlooked) mountains of North Carolina.

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Khalil Nasim Makes An Appearance

An intimate Tuesday night in Raleigh serves as the debut for a promising new album, a testament to perseverance, and a reminder of the enduring power of the listening party.

The Scene

Genius Bars

The 24th edition of the stalwart RDU hip-hop event "The Genius Party" gets everyone involved — from producers, to vocalists, to attendees themselves.

The Scene

Dispatch From Wilmington: Bridge to Forever

At Waterline Brewing, a night of wide-ranging music — from Georgia to New York, and from the 90s to the present day — along the Cape Fear River.

The Scene

Dispatch From Charlotte: Sudd, The Curator

With its overflowing roster of talent from the Carolinas and beyond, No Stress Fest reflects the enduring role of the DJ — and specifically, the pull and influence of High Point native E.Sudd.

The Scene

Beats N Bars 2024, Through the Lens of Tommy Coyote

A hip-hop holdover from Durham's mid-2010's festival era stubbornly refuses to go away.