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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget2026-05-05

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill designates the censored version of 'Raise Up' by North Carolina rapper Petey Pablo as the official hip-hop song of North Carolina. It also appropriates $6.5 million to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for a music heritage and tourism initiative that includes promotional campaigns, festivals, a hip-hop music trail, and a mobile app across several North Carolina cities.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill celebrates North Carolina's significant contributions to hip-hop music and honors local artists like Petey Pablo who have gained national recognition.
• •The funding for the music heritage initiative could boost tourism, promote cultural events across the state, and support HBCUs and local communities through music-related economic development and programming.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether $6.5 million in state funds is an appropriate use of taxpayer money for a music designation and tourism campaign, particularly when the state faces other budgetary priorities.
• •Some may also debate whether one song should be elevated as 'the' official hip-hop song when North Carolina has many notable hip-hop artists and whether this spending is the most effective way to support the music industry.