North Carolina’s undiscovered powerhouse

Artist Name: OC From NC

Hometown: Burlington, North Carolina

Can you tell us about your background? Where did you grow up, and how has that influenced your music?

I’m from BURLINGTON, NC. One of those small trafficking towns, ten minutes from Durham & ten minutes from Greensboro. Where one side of the tracks is black culture at its finest and the other side is old school American racism. We have gangs and we have the kkk. Just depends on whose weekend it is. lol yeah I’d say this place influences all my writing. It’s a colorful place to live.

What was your early introduction to music and hip-hop? Do you have any specific artists or experiences that inspired you?

My pops was murdered when I was young. My family moved me here immediately and I started to connect with new family members. My older cousin introduced me to hip hop in this order: Biggie, Wu tang, Nas. And this is in like 96’, so please believe that list stayed in rotation pretty much the rest of my life. It most definitely influenced the direction of my writing from the very beginning. 

When did you start making music, and what was your first project?

I have always been a musical being. Since I was able to speak. And I’ve always made tapes for the homies with freestyles and shit. But my first attempt at a full project was in 2014. I even titled that mixtape twenty14. It’s available on Bandcamp I’m pretty sure. Go peep.

How would you describe your style and sound? What sets you apart from other artists?

It’s hip hop. The good kind. I know that. But idk man, I wouldn’t really be the one to describe it. I just know God in it. It ain’t just me. The thing that sets me apart is my pen. We all got rhythm and style of our own but my pen better. I don’t mean better than this cat or that one. I mean, put everybody’s stuff side by side…nobody rapping has a better pen than me. I stand by that. To the grave. lol 

What challenges have you faced as an independent artist in the hip-hop scene? How have you overcome them?

Just being heard. A cat like me tends to say too much or tends to “outshine the master” if you know the 48 laws reference. I figured out that rappers don’t like openers who close their show. It’s an easy way to stop getting booked. lol so I started doing my own events. Put my self on the road with my money. By the time the tour was over the phone was ringing…

What has been your proudest moment in your music career so far?

Starting again. When my brother died a couple years ago I gave it up man. It didn’t feel right without him driving or backstage rolling up. Or just being my right hand for shows. I was turned off. So getting the energy to start again made me proud. That’s how y’all got Project 25.

How can people support you and your music as an independent artist?

Go get my catalog. Stream all my stuff. Turn your homies on. Tell them about that rapper you heard that’s better than all them rappers you heard.

Social Media Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocfromnc

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ocfromnc

Bandcamp: https://ocfromnc.bandcamp.com

Website: https://www.even.biz/l/oc-from-nc