"Much like the rivers that flow through our Appalachian valleys, the spirit of community creates a tradition-rich culture that binds its people to the land and each other.”Dr. Ted Olson
Home isn’t always defined by four walls. This idea resonates in the research of Dr. Ted Olson, Professor of Appalachian Studies and Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University.
For Appalachia, home is a feeling, a connection rooted in the land and its people. This connection can be traced back to the Cherokee Native Americans and continues to thrive through the region’s evolving music scene.
Olson, originally from the Northern Appalachian Mountains of New England, moved to
Washington, D.C., as a child, where he first encountered the beauty of Appalachian
culture. His love for the mountains and their people deepened through his work as
a National Park Ranger. Decades later, he collaborated with Dr. William Turner (a noted scholar on African American communities in Appalachia), to create the podcast
series ‘Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music’. Their research highlighted the underrepresentation of hip-hop in the region, leading
to the creation of the first Appalachian hip-hop album, No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia.
How do you believe Appalachian culture is represented within regional music, specifically hip-hop?
Like those who have lived here for generations, Appalachians maintain a deep connection to nature and the land. Appalachian music reflects this connection, blending various southern sounds. Hip-hop artists in the region draw from bluegrass and other genres, creating a sound that’s as unique as the culture itself.
What makes Appalachian Hip-Hop unique?
Hip-hop’s uniqueness lies in its focus on lyrics, rhythm, and beats rather than traditional instruments. Appalachian hip-hop artists incorporate elements from bluegrass and folk, weaving cultural narratives into their songs. Without instruments, the soul of the music emerges through the words and rhythm, making it distinct and powerful.
How is hip-hop in Appalachia represented? Why haven’t we heard of it sooner?
Dr. Turner and I recognized the need to amplify silenced voices in Appalachia, placing a heavy emphasis on Black voices. Hip-hop in the region has been underrepresented, partially due to the urban-rural divide and the publicity that comes alongside this. The album No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia features over 24 artists collaborating to create unique beats, reflecting the community spirit of Appalachia.
How is Appalachian music dissolving the barriers of genres?
Appalachian music blends elements from various genres, making it difficult to categorize. This fusion reflects the diversity of the region’s people and has begun to break down traditional genre barriers, inspiring artists worldwide to step outside conventional boundaries.
How can the community support hip-hop artists in the region?
So often, when success doesn’t come right away, it can make people want to give up. Too often, we slow down at the thought of failure, and it keeps people from pursuing dreams because they want their dreams to come true right away. Craft requires repetition and failure. I think patience is the most important thing, and it can only go with perspiration.
By Mackenzie Lewis | Photo By Charlie Warden
Read more incredible stories in the Winter 2025 Edition of ETSU Today. #BucsGoBeyond
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