Let me introduce you to: The Carolina Chocolate Drops

A good friend of mine introduced me to the Carolina Chocolate Drops recently.  I was floored not only with the high level of talent, but also the authentic musicianship behind what they do.  I have always thought it a strange thing that country music is currently so culturally white, when there have been so many black people involved in its creation and maturation through the years.  Between this band, the Avett Brothers, and Delta Rae, the North Carolina Music Scene is exploding with talent.  Below is the band with Rhiannon Giddens taking the lead performing "Hit'Em up Style" live at WDVX's Blue Plate Special. Rhiannon deftly delivers a  a live classical country take on a modern hit from Blu Cantrell all the while showcasing her vocal talent:

The band also performs song songs with an older style as evidenced by the performance below called "Cornbread and Butterbeans"

The Talented and Beautiful Rhiannon Giddens

Finally, if you want to understand how the band came together and found each other though their love of music, I suggest watching the video below.  They discuss their roots, why they do what they do, and their time with Joe Thompson, the mentor that shaped who they are.

The Drops with Joe Thompson, black musician extraordinaire!