James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. Image courtesy of SCPRT.
South Carolina is home to a wide variety of musical styles and traditions.
Traditional Music
Did you know that South Carolina is home to a rich musical heritage?
- Considerable Grace
Listen to folk music and traditional African-American music from South Carolina. - Fiddle & Old Time Country
The fiddle is an integral part of folk music in the state. - Upcountry Harmony
Listen to songs from the Upstate. - Sacred Prayers Sacred Songs
These songs are in Native American languages such as Cherokee and Lakota.
The Blues
The music style known as the blues was formed in the southern states by African-Americans. It has a melancholy sound and often expresses themes of hard times, love, oppression, heartbreak, and alienation.
SC Musicians
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| Gourd instrument. Image courtesy of the USC Music Library. |
Meet performers that were born or have lived in South Carolina.
Musical Instruments
Learn about instruments that are made and used here in South Carolina. The banjo was first made by slaves who used gourds to make an instrument similar to ones in Africa.
