PG Ra Proves To Be The Perfect Front Man To Push South Carolina's Forward Thinking Sound
Written by Greg Harris
Scoping the areas of the South, it’s easy for people to point out the spotlight areas such as Florida, Texas, Louisiana or Georgia. Given their exotic nightlife, deep sense of heritage and tradition, and their unique approach being at “The Bottom of The Map”, but it’s other states within this 3rd Coast zone that gets forgotten. Not forgetting about our storied history in America with the slave-ridden south, some of theses states largest significance is tied to or in comparison with that. It’s sad to say that is the peaking point for some of these states, but in today’s time its some new champions that will be carrying the new wave into this new decade.
Amongst those states, we bring our attention to the depths of South Carolina. Besides the aspects of Myrtle Beach, glorious BBQ food, and the tailgates at University of South Carolina, it’s a lot of things that people aren’t nationally aware when it comes to SC culture. Little known facts include South Carolina arguably being known as the “Birthplace of BBQ”, SC being the biggest producer of Peaches, and oh boy is South Carolina’s music scene is one of the hottest in Southern Urban Music. Where I’m not here to go down a full list of artists to make a point, that’s for another day. I’m here to open the can of understanding when it comes to Orangeburg, SC relentless rapper, PG Ra.
During a time where I was personally getting in tuned with artists from North Carolina + South Carolina for research, PG Ra stuck out but also didn’t fit in the normal fold of street rap in that region. Where other artists who have had made a buzz, it wasn’t a lot that dove in face first into their own underlying image and tone of their artistry. Yes, it were artists that were making good music, but some of still needed development. In PG Ra’s case, he was just a raw artist with a story that you’ll have to let grow into his work + mature even more as time moves forward.
“In PG Ra’s case, he was just a raw artist with a story that you’ll have to let grow into his work + mature even more as time moves forward. “
Walking through the halls of freshly white decorated space in a Ralph Lauren Polo Bear baseball fit from head to toe, my introduction to PG Ra was fairly memorable. Watching him as he jigs and flashes cash with a younger version of star producer, JetsonMade, PG Ra certainly carried a leveled balance of confidence and character in his work. Even though he’s pretty young, he still carries a level of being distinguished and this carries in his music.
Aside from collaborating with Carolina’s hottest such as Blacc Zacc, Deezie Mcduffie, Stunna 4 Vegas, and more, Ra made sure to perfect his foundation with JetsonMade and also take his storytelling ability to new heights with song structure. One of the shining moments of his career has came from the release of his project, “Blowing Candles”, a body of work that help personify who PG Ra is. From the edge of your seat thriller of “Lil Stepper” to the infectious hit “I’m Vibin” to the fan favorite, “PFK”, PG Ra peels off so many layers that allows listeners to get different dimensions of his artistry. This was a cohesive project that separated himself from the Palmetto State but enable his vision to broadcasted in the spotlight.
Now that it is 2020, the sites aren’t just set in one region but it’s continuing to capture the country and the rest of the world’s attention. Coming off inking a new deal with Asylum Records, PG Ra is in full motion to present new material to the forefront. From the sounds of his new single, “Made It’ and “Keeping Time”, Ra is opening more and giving game to those who need to hear it. It’s heartfelt truth music he’s making and it’s only a matter of time until his truth will fully reach the masses.