Music

A Punjabi Anthem For The Pittsburgh Steelers

by DAN GIGLER

Polka, rap, classic rock, country, folk, blues - name a musical genre, and there is a Steelers song to go with it. So why not some good old-fashioned Punjabi-influenced Bhangra-infused hip-hop?

Uh ... come again?

BlackMahal, a San Francisco band, has created possibly the most unique Steelers song to come down the pike, ever, called Black, Gold and Silver -- the 'silver' is a reference to the Lombardi Trophy (which must come as relief to the small percentage of you worked up about Wiz Khalifa's use of "Yellow" rather than "Gold") -- and comes up with a interesting new moniker for the team -- the tin-jabis.

According to a release from the band:

"Steelers Nation is a worldwide community so it's time for the rest of the world, like us, to express our love for the Steelers in local flavors," says BlackMahal rapper and executive producer Vijay Chattha, a native of Weirton, WV, just 45 minutes from Pittsburgh's Heinz Field stadium.

"The new colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers are black, gold and silver," he continues. "The Lombardi trophy and its silver sheen has become a standard of success in the team's historic franchise, so we wanted to celebrate our colors on the song.

The song takes the classic black and gold colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers and adds the silver of the storied Lombardi Trophy, given to the winner of NFL Super Bowl. First there was 'Here We Go" by Roger Wood, then "Black and Yellow" from Wiz Khalifa. Now BlackMahal unveils the first bhangra-infused anthem for football fans, "Black, Gold and Silver."

The song features some dedications and samples of the late Steelers broadcaster and icon, Myron Cope as the band re-invents the, "Yoi, Yoi, and Double Yoi" catchphrase.

The song also introduces a new name for the team that sits at the confluence of the Monongahela, Alleghany and Ohio Rivers, translating them into 'tin-jabis' or "those from the three rivers."

Part P-Funk, part Punjabi-Funk, BlackMahal is a 10-piece live music experience complete with drums, DJs, horns, hip-hop MCs, and the godfather of Punjabi-American music - Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti.

BlackMahal's lead vocalist, Lal 'Blitz' Singh Bhatti, is regarded as the godfather of Punjabi-American music. Lal Singh has collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas, The Doors and has performed for nearly every U.S. President since Gerald Ford, as well has being honored at the opening of the Smithsonian Sikh Gallery in 2005.

[Courtesy: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

January 30, 2011

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