North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina S980: Adopt Official Hip-Hop Song.
Status: Introduced, May 5, 2026
What the bill says
An act to adopt the song "raise up" as the official hip-hop song of the state of north carolina.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ADOPT THE SONG "RAISE UP" AS THE OFFICIAL HIP-HOP SONG OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Whereas, in 2023, hip-hop fans across North Carolina and the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music; and Whereas, North Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities have helped shape the rich and diverse sound of North Carolina's hip-hop artists; and Whereas, North Carolina is the home state of Petey Pablo, J. Cole, Rapsody, 9th Wonder, Phonte, Big Pooh, and many other hip-hop icons; and Whereas, Moses Barrett, III, henceforth referred to as Petey Pablo, was born and raised in Greenville, North Carolina; and Whereas, Petey Pablo is a Grammy-nominated platinum rap artist that was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2024; and Whereas, "Raise Up" was released in August 2001 as a tribute to the people of North Carolina and maintains its cultural significance as an anthem for the State; Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 145-52. Official hip-hop song. The censored version of the song "Raise Up" by North Carolina rapper Petey Pablo is adopted as the official hip-hop song of the State of North Carolina." SECTION 2. There …
Sponsors
- Murdock, Natalie S. (D, 20) · primary sponsor
- Smith, Kandie D. (D, 5) · primary sponsor
- Salvador, DeAndrea (D, 39) · primary sponsor
- Waddell, Joyce (D, 40)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: ARTS, BUDGETING, RALEIGH, COUNTIES, PITT COUNTY, PUBLIC, TRAVEL & TOURISM, COMMUNICATIONS
Common questions
- What is S980?
- S980 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Adopt Official Hip-Hop Song.
- What does S980 do?
- In its own words: An act to adopt the song "raise up" as the official hip-hop song of the state of north carolina.
- What is the status of S980?
- Introduced as of May 5, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget (May 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored S980?
- Murdock, Natalie S. (D, 20), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S980?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S980
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.