About this Event
Carolina Cookup: A Celebration of Carolina Underground Hip Hop
Presented by Frequency 360 in collaboration with Rare, Flow, FAXA, and Gene Brown Is My Dealer
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Doors open at 3 PM | First performances around 3:30 PM
Starlight on 22nd | Charlotte, North Carolina
$5 Admission | Pay What You Can | Proud to Pay
What Is Carolina Cookup?
Carolina Cookup is a celebration of the past, present, and future of Carolina underground hip hop.
What started as a night of Jah Freedom spinning records at Common Market, playing Carolina artists , has grown into something bigger. Carolina Cookup brings that same spirit into a live community gathering, connecting artists, fans, and music lovers across generations.
This edition focuses on hip hop and the people who have helped shape it, are carrying it forward today, and are building what comes next.
Think of it as a family reunion for Carolina hip hop... a chance to discover new artists, reconnect with familiar faces, meet the people behind the music, and bring different communities together for a full day of music and fellowship.
We're hoping to make Carolina Cookup an annual gathering that continues to grow and celebrate the incredible talent in our region.
The Music and the Artists
Expect a full day of performances featuring artists representing different eras and corners of the Carolina underground.
Whether you're coming to support a particular artist, discover somebody new, or simply enjoy the full lineup, there's a place for you here.
Support the artists directly!
Each performer will have their own ticket link. When you purchase through an artist's individual link, you're helping support that artist directly.
If you're coming to enjoy the full lineup or simply want to be part of the gathering, you can purchase a General Admission ticket through the main event page.
Please note: Individual artist ticket links will close on the day of the event. General Admission tickets will remain available through the main event page, subject to availability. If you want to support a specific artist through their ticket link, make sure to purchase before those individual links close.
$5 Admission ... Pay What You Can ... Proud to Pay
We want Carolina Cookup to be accessible while giving people an opportunity to show additional support.
General Admission starts at $5. Pay What You Can means you can participate at a level that works for you.
Our Proud to Pay option is for those who want to contribute more and help support the artists. Look for the individual artist ticket options to support the performer you want to champion. ( You will still have to purchase an event ticket for 5$ from either general admission or the artist ticket link to attend )
Every ticket helps bring people together and strengthen the Carolina music community.
Gene Brown Record Pop Up ... All Day
Legendary Carolina music figure Gene Brown will be on site throughout the day with his record pop up, giving attendees a chance to dig through records, connect, and celebrate the culture.
The gathering also leads into the next day of Carolina Cookup programming, featuring the debut of a documentary from the Gene Brown series.
Come be part of the weekend and help us celebrate the people and stories that make this music community special.
The Cypher and After Show Vibes
The performances won't be the end of the evening.
Before we settle into the after show, we'll kick things off with a Carolina Cookup Cypher that will be recorded. MCs who want to participate should arrive early. Registration for the cypher will close before recording begins, so come early if you want to be included.
After the cypher, DJ Bernie Burns will take over the ones and twos for the rest of the evening.
Expect hip hop, good vibes, networking, and time to kick back with artists, producers, fans, and friends. It's a chance to meet people, build connections, and enjoy the music together until closing.
Come Through and Be Part of It
Carolina Cookup is about more than performances. It's about bringing people together, supporting local artists, discovering new music, and celebrating the culture that continues to grow throughout the Carolinas.
Come for your favorite artist. Stay for the music. Meet somebody new. Support the culture.
Carolina Cookup ... Past, Present, and Future.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Event venue & nearby stays
Starlight on 22nd, 422 East 22nd Street, Charlotte, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.