Carolina Chocolate Drops: The Modern Torchbearers of String Band Music

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are an American string band renowned for revitalizing the Black roots music tradition. Hailing from North Carolina, the group achieved a major milestone when their 2010 album Genuine Negro Jig won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album.

Early career

The Carolina Chocolate Drops formed in 2005 after its founding members—Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Justin Robinson—met at the Black Banjo Gathering in Boone, North Carolina. They immersed themselves in the Piedmont string band tradition under the tutelage of elder fiddler Joe Thompson, a direct link to the African American old-time music canon.

Their self-released debut, Dona Got a Ramblin' Mind, arrived in 2006, capturing their raw, energetic live sound. This early work led to a deal with Music Maker Relief Foundation and established their core mission: honoring history while making it resonate with contemporary audiences.

Breakthrough

The Carolina Chocolate Drops' breakthrough arrived in 2010 with the release of Genuine Negro Jig on Nonesuch Records. The album's critical and commercial success was cemented by its surprise Grammy win, introducing their distinctive fusion of banjo, fiddle, and jug band rhythms to a vast new audience.

This period saw the Carolina Chocolate Drops performing on major national stages and television programs, from the Grand Ole Opry to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series. Their success underscored a burgeoning mainstream interest in authentic folk and roots music forms.

Key tracks

Hit 'Em Up Style — Their cover of this Blu Cantrell R&B hit, reimagined with old-time instrumentation, became a signature genre-bending track and a live favorite.

Country Girl — This original song showcases the band's knack for writing new material that feels instantly classic, driven by fiddle and rhythmic percussion.

Snowden's Jig (Genuine Negro Jig) — The intricate instrumental title track from their Grammy-winning album highlights their technical mastery and deep historical research.

Leaving Eden — The title track from their 2012 album is a haunting original ballad that demonstrates the group's expanding songwriting depth and emotional range.

Following their Grammy victory, the band experienced lineup changes, with Rhiannon Giddens and Hubby Jenkins becoming the central figures. Their 2012 album, Leaving Eden, continued their exploration of Black musical history while addressing more contemporary themes. The Carolina Chocolate Drops have collaborated with artists like folk stalwart Mike Seeger and the hip-hop-infused Luminescent Orchestrii, further stretching the boundaries of their sound.

While not consistently charting on pop lists, their albums have repeatedly topped the Billboard Bluegrass and Folk charts. The work of the Carolina Chocolate Drops has profoundly influenced the modern folk scene, inspiring a new generation to investigate the African American origins of country and roots music.

Fans of the Carolina Chocolate Drops' authentic string band revivalism should also explore Rhiannon Giddens for her acclaimed solo work delving into folk and opera. Our Native Daughters continues a similar mission of reclaiming Black folk narratives through banjo-driven music. The War And Treaty shares a powerful blend of Americana roots with soulful gospel intensity. Leyla McCalla offers a compelling mix of folk, jazz, and Haitian influences rooted in rich cultural history.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops' vibrant catalog is a staple on roots music and Americana radio stations featured on this website. Their tracks energize playlists on dedicated folk channels, independent music radio stations, and specialty programs celebrating traditional music's evolution.

You can hear the groundbreaking music of the Carolina Chocolate Drops on radio stations featured across our network. Explore and listen to their essential recordings through the diverse radio stations available on onairium.com.