The Carolinas don’t make one kind of rapper. This week’s Who You Should Hear proves it: a Durham melody man, a Charlotte lyricist working with 9th Wonder, a Lexington punk-rap wild card, and a Goose Creek rage star taking his show to Europe and Australia. Four artists, four lanes, all from our side of the map.
Big YBA (Durham, NC)
Who he is: Big YBA is a Durham rapper with a melodic, emotional style. Substream Magazine called him one of the most electrifying young artists coming out of the Carolinas back in 2023, and he’s kept building since, including his 2024 album Definition of Living and its deluxe edition.
Start with: “Miss It.” The 2024 single about love, loss and longing passed 19 million YouTube views, according to The Hype Magazine. Then run his “Lord Forgive Me” video, directed by NoRatchetss:
Why you should hear him: In June he gave Charlotte an exclusive first listen of his album The World Might Judge Me at Noda Art House, with DJ Chuck T, DJ ESUDD and DJ Big Rice hosting. When the Queen City’s DJs show up for a Durham artist, that’s a signal.
Reuben Vincent (Charlotte, NC)
Who he is: A Charlotte MC in the Jamla Records camp. His album Welcome Home dropped October 24, 2025 through Jamla and Roc Nation Distribution, executive produced by 9th Wonder, with guests including Wale, Ab-Soul, Raphael Saadiq and Raheem DeVaughn (The Source).
Start with: “Homecoming,” produced by 9th Wonder. It ends with an airplane announcement welcoming you to Charlotte, which tells you everything about where his head is at. Get a feel for the whole project with the official Welcome Home trailer:
Why you should hear him: If you love soulful, sample-rich, bar-for-bar hip hop, this is the North Carolina tradition in good hands. Welcome Home turns one year old this month, so it’s the perfect time to catch up.
Nascar Aloe (Lexington, NC)
Who he is: Colby Suoy, aka Nascar Aloe, comes out of Lexington, North Carolina and the state’s skate scene (Last.fm). He built his name on SoundCloud starting in 2018, moved to Los Angeles, and signed with Epitaph Records in 2020.
Start with: “Ogre,” a distorted, in-your-face cut with a video to match (Knotfest).
Why you should hear him: He’s proof Carolina rap can come with mosh pits. This year he co-headlined the Capital Punishment Tour with Ohio’s Jasiah, two artists known for high-energy shows that blur rap, punk and heavy alternative music.
OsamaSon (Goose Creek, SC)
Who he is: Amari Middleton, better known as OsamaSon, is from Goose Creek, South Carolina, and records for Motion and Atlantic (Wikipedia). His catalog runs from Osama Season and Flex Musix in 2023 to Jump Out (January 2025) and Psykotic (October 2025).
Start with: “Cts-V,” his 2023 breakout, then jump to “Off That!,” which he dropped on his birthday in May 2026. Listen on Apple Music.
Why you should hear him: He’s the Carolinas’ loudest export in the underground rage scene, and the world is catching on. In 2026 he announced the Psykturnal Tour with dates in Europe and Australia and landed a Balenciaga campaign.
The Takeaway
Durham, Charlotte, Lexington, Goose Creek. Different cities, different sounds, same energy. Add these four to your rotation and tell us who we should spotlight next.
Sources
- The Hype Magazine: Big YBA gives Charlotte a first listen
- Substream Magazine: Big YBA drops “Lord Forgive Me” video
- The Source: Reuben Vincent announces Welcome Home
- Last.fm: Nascar Aloe biography
- Miami and Beaches: Capital Punishment Tour
- Knotfest: Nascar Aloe “Ogre”
- Wikipedia: OsamaSon
