Petey Pablo’s “Raise Up” Could Become North Carolina’s Official State Hip-Hop Song

North Carolina is weighing a legislative move to codify Petey Pablo’s 2001 anthem “Raise Up” as the official state hip-hop song. Produced by Timbaland, the track became a cultural pillar for the region, famously turning the act of spinning a shirt like a helicopter into a universal shorthand for Carolina pride. While Pablo’s career has navigated federal prison stints and industry shifts, the song’s resonance has only deepened over the last twenty-four years. The timing aligns with a renewed spotlight on the state's hip-hop lineage. Modern heavyweights like J. Cole and A$AP Rocky have recently woven references to the track into their own work, signaling its transition from a regional hit to a foundational text of Southern rap. Elevating the song to an official state symbol would be a rare instance of a government body acknowledging the specific, localized power of the Dirty South era. Should the measure pass, it sets a precedent for how states integrate contemporary Black musical contributions into their formal history.