Rhiannon Giddens reunited with former Carolina Chocolate Drops bandmate Justin Robinson for What Did The Blackbird Say To The Crow, their first recorded collaboration since 2011. The album features North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, with many tunes learned from mentors Joe Thompson and Etta Baker, and was recorded outdoors at their homes using a simple setup to capture natural sounds.

Commercial success

• The album was released on Nonesuch Records and received notable attention within the folk and roots music community.

• While it did not chart on the Billboard 200, it was highlighted on genre-specific platforms and featured in prominent folk music playlists on streaming services.

Cultural impact

• The album was followed by Giddens’ sold-out inaugural Biscuits & Banjos festival in Durham, NC, which featured a highly anticipated reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

• Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson released a mini-documentary and performance videos to accompany each song for the album, offering an intimate look into its creation.

• The project has been recognized for spotlighting the roots of African American string band music and honoring the legacy of both Black folk traditions and mentors Joe Thompson and Etta Baker.

Critical response

• NPR Music featured the album in a segment highlighting its "love letter to the music of North Carolina," noting the duo's "deep reverence for tradition and innovative spirit." Read full review

• Billboard praised the album for cementing Giddens' status as "a foundational influence for a generation of younger Black roots musicians," and highlighted the project's role in reviving traditional Black string music. Read full review