Homegrown Hoke County rap and R&B artists will present a pop-up listening experience Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Deep Freeze Productions, located at 645 Laurinburg Road.
“That’s not just a listening session – it’s a statement,” a press release for the event said.
The O.M.3 “They Live, We Mutate” is part of a “shift” happening in Hoke County that’s putting the emphasis on music, the organizers announced. To promote the event, they released a “Mount Rushmore” of Hoke County rap artists with information about each member shown on the “mountain.”
“What was once a quiet undercurrent of expression has now evolved into a full-scale cultural movement. From hip-hop to R&B to gospel, Hoke County is producing artists, executives, and creatives who are no longer waiting for validation – they’re building ecosystems,” a press release said. “From early pioneers laying groundwork in the 2000s to a new wave of artists leveraging digital platforms, Hoke County is beginning to resemble what Fayetteville was to J. Cole, a small-town incubator for major influence.”
<02>Pioneers, architects, historians and the future
<01>The organizers of the event provided information about the artists involved in the local music scene, its past, present and future:
Every scene that matters has architects. Hoke County has several.
Derrick Elliott, known as Duno, wasn’t just part of the scene – he was the memory of it. He understood every era, every artist, every shift in sound and energy. That kind of institutional knowledge is rare, especially in smaller markets.
His impact wasn’t always loud, but it was foundational. He helped artists understand where they stood, and more importantly, what came before them. Even now, his presence is still felt. In Hoke County, Duno isn’t forgotten, he’s embedded.
The other half of O.H.E, JB DAMESENJAH (Johnathan Bratcher) represents something the modern era struggles to maintain: longevity with relevance. Before many of today’s artists were even aware of the game, he was already refining his craft. His lyricism isn’t surface-level, it’s layered, deliberate, and enduring. The kind of bars that age well because they’re rooted in truth, not trends. He doesn’t chase the moment, he outlives it.
That’s why his name sits among the greats. Not because of hype, but because of consistency.
Every scene has that name. The one where if you know, you know. Billy Rae Ford is that name for Raeford. Known by multiple aliases, sharpened through battle rap circuits, and respected across generations, his contribution isn’t just musical, it’s cultural. He represents a time when skill was tested in real-time, face-to-face. His inclusion on the Mount Rushmore isn’t debate – it’s documentation.
If Raeford had a LeBron James of music, it’s The Mutate God. He represents two decades deep, multiple eras, and continuous evolution. What separates him isn’t just output, it’s vision. From early groundwork to building entire creative ecosystems like Wood Boy Digital Innovations, his influence stretches beyond music into branding, tech, and storytelling.
He’s not just part of the scene, he’s helped shape it. Yet, like many long-term contributors, his full impact is often under-recognized. But those who understand the timeline know exactly what he represents.
Some artists define a city, others take it global. Payola Stakks did both.
His reach extends beyond North Carolina, with traction stretching into places like Canada, a rare feat for artists from smaller markets. That kind of movement isn’t accidental. It’s built on sound, identity, and consistency. That’s why he earns his place. Hoke County isn’t one-dimensional. Johnathan Baker holds a historic milestone as the first artist from Hoke County to achieve a platinum plaque and secure a major deal.
Todd Galberth represents the global reach of Raeford’s gospel roots, touring internationally and carrying the message far beyond the county lines. Figures like Redvenom, now leading platforms like Supa Red TV and House Arrest Music, are proving that control of media is just as important as music itself.
The culture isn’t just built in studios, it’s shaped in streets, slang, and movements.
Muddy Heart coined “Fo Selm”, giving Hoke County a cultural identity marker. DJ YODO, arguably the biggest DJ in the 910, controlling sound and energy. Benji Boyz, continuing the legacy of groups like O.H.E and RSP.
Right now, the biggest artist out of Hoke County is Yolo Ru. His metrics, movement, and visibility are pushing Raeford further into the spotlight than ever before.
He’s building on a lineage that includes names like Lil Dirty Black and The Mutate God, expanding it into the digital era.
Mel Hurst, after 10 years of incarceration, returned to a fanbase that didn’t disappear, it grew. That kind of loyalty speaks volumes.
The next generation pipeline is active with artists RH Zay, RH Maii, Chilly Too Kold, Sunny Boy Ghost, Doggyy Dej, Triple H Babies. This isn’t a drought, it’s an overflow.
(Submitted to The News-Journal.)
