What makes Benny Starr so great is that when you go to see him perform, you’re there for the music, but you’re also there because you want to hear him speak. Benny cuts through all bullshit and gets straight to the root of Charleston’s issues with racism and gentrification, and he does so in a way that is positive and empowering, inspiring listeners to take action and make changes in their own lives. That’s why his 2019 release of A Water Album is at the top of this list, and why it easily transcends anything else that was released in South Carolina this year in terms of importance and lasting impact. — Chris Huber
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