Dizzy Gillespie playing horn, 1955. Photographed by Carl Van Vechten. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Van Vechten Collection, reproduction number LC-USZ62-102156 DLC.South Carolina Symbols

More information on these symbols can be found at the SC State House Student Connection.

• The State Songs: “Carolina” and “South Carolina On My Mind”
• The State Music: The Spiritual
• The State Popular Music: Beach Music
• The State Opera: Porgy & Bess

Famous South Carolina Musicians & Singers

Meet performers that have lived in South Carolina and are now known across the country.

• James Brown (1933-2006)
  Singer, songwriter, and dancer that has been called “The Godfather of Soul” (born in Barnwell, SC)
• Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993)
  Jazz trumpeter and major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz (born in Cheraw, SC)
  Listen to Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, "Salt Peanuts" (Windows Media Player format)
• Young Jeezy (1977- )
  Rapper and member of the Hip-Hop group USDA (born in Columbia, SC)
• Eartha Kitt (1927-2008)
  Actress, singer, and cabaret star (born in North, SC)
• Edwin McCain (1970- )
  Alternative rock singer-songwriter and musician (born in Greenville, SC)
• Bill Pinkney (1925-2007)
  Member of the R&B group, The Drifters and influential in the beach music scene (born in Dalzell, SC)
• Julie Roberts (1979- )
  Country music singer (born in Lancaster, SC)
• Darius Rucker (1966- )
  Lead singer and rhythm guitarists of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. The band was formed at USC in Columbia (born in Charleston, SC).
• Angie Stone (1961- )
  R&B and soul singer-songwriter and record producer (born in Columbia, SC)
• Aaron Tippin (1958- )
  Country music artist and record producer (raised in Traveler’s Rest, SC)
• Josh Turner (1977- )
  Country music artist (born in Hannah, SC)

South Carolia Music Links

• Gullah Music
  Learn about slave songs and Gullah music with Aunt Pearlie-Sue! You can write a blues song, sing a worship song in the praise house, and find the hidden meaning in a work song.
• South Carolina Soundtrack
  What would –you- put on a soundtrack about South Carolina? Find out what one collection looks like!
• Boy with wooden flute in front of outbuildings
  See this picture of a child playing music in Beaufort County a hundred years ago.

Image courtesy of SC PRT.

Explore with DISCUS*

* Requires access to the DISCUS databases. Learn more here.

• The Spiritual
  Read about South Carolina's state music.

• Songs of the Civil War
  Watch a reenactment of a Civil War camp and hear a song from the era!