Carolina Chocolate Drops

The Carolina Chocolate Drops formed in Durham, North Carolina in 2005, taking their name from an earlier all-black string band. The original lineup included Rhiannon Giddens on banjo, fiddle, and vocals, along with Dom Flemons and Justin Robinson. They focused on the Piedmont region's African American string band traditions, playing fiddle tunes, spirituals, and gospel hymns.

Their music mixed those older forms with contemporary touches, heard on songs like "Knockin'" and "Political World." They also recorded "Hit 'Em Up Style," a cover that showed their range beyond strictly traditional material. The group's performances had a raw, direct quality that connected with the history they were drawing from.

Over time, the lineup shifted as members came and went. They released several albums that were well-received, though the band's engagement with questions of race and musical heritage sometimes drew scrutiny from listeners debating authenticity. Their work stayed grounded in the sounds of the Piedmont, whether through older songs or their own pieces like "Daughter's Lament."