A new Edmonton Oilers anthem has dropped from Edmonton-born rapper Rollie Pemberton, best known by his stage name Cadence Weapon.
The award-winning musician has penned a Stanley Cup version of his 2017 song Connor McDavid, as the Oilers are set to begin the Stanley Cup final Saturday night in Florida against the Panthers.
CBC Radio Edmonton AM host Tara McCarthy spoke to Pemberton on Wednesday about what inspired him to create the new cut.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
What inspired you to write a new version of the song?
Ever since I made the original version, pretty much every year I get fans hitting me up being like, ‘Hey, can you make the new version?’ I feel like Microsoft or something with the new Windows update. But it just felt like this was the right time. We’re back in the Stanley Cup. Let me give the people what they need, what they want. So here it is.
How is it different from the original?
I had to switch up the players, but I also improved the mix. We changed the beat a little bit. We made it a little more modern, more contemporary and I added some stuff to the outro. So it’s a different vibe.
How long did it take for you to kind of change it up and put this new write together?
I feel like this experience with this version of the song, this is the fastest I’ve turned around anything in my entire career. I wrote this yesterday. I watched them get into the Stanley Cup. Then, the next day I was talking to my team, I was like, ‘Maybe we should do a new version.’ I wrote it. I made a little viral video that people have been sharing already. And then it’s already in the studio. And right after this, we’re sending it to the label and it’s going to be up there on all the platforms by Friday.
Edmonton AM6:02Cadence Weapon readies new remix of his ode to the Oilers
Edmonton hip-hop artist Rollie Pemberton, a.k.a. Cadence Weapon, joins us to talk about his revamped song, Connor McDavid.
What kind of response have you had so far from fans?
People are really excited about it. I feel like the idea of making this big Oilers anthem gives people something to play before the games, get in your truck, just blast the track, go to mosh pit, turn it up — that’s the excitement for me.
What led to you writing a song about Connor McDavid in the first place all the way back in 2017?
I think it was just driving around Edmonton, I just saw the enthusiasm around the team when he got there and I really wanted to just tap into that energy and that excitement and it really is just giving something for people in Edmonton to get excited about.
Has Connor McDavid heard it? Do you know?
He has heard it, yeah. When we did the original version, they actually played it for him on Hockey Night in Canada. And I got to see his live reaction and he said, ‘Some of my friends have shared it with me.’
He’s pretty low key so I’m sure he wasn’t jumping out of his seat, but it must have been wild to see him watching it.
We got a smile out of him.
There’s a line in the new mix about 2006, which we’ve obviously been reflecting a lot back on because, 18 years ago, the Oilers made it into the Stanley Cup final. What do you remember from that last time? Where were you?
I used to live just off Whyte Avenue at that time, so I was in the middle of all the madness with the people hanging from the telephone wires and stuff. And I really, I just hope we get back to that excitement — keep everything safe, of course — but I’ll never forget that time in my life, also because it was the beginning of my career as a musician, too. So that championship run in ’06 is always going to be in my mind.
What’s it been like for you living in the Toronto area, being an Oilers fan because you know they love their Maple Leafs. What’s it like out in Hamilton?
People are excited. I think there’s a lot in common between Hamilton and Edmonton. Toronto, it sometimes can be hard to get the Oilers game on at the sports bar, but now they got to just kind of suck it up because we’re Canada’s team.
You mentioned on socials, too, that you should probably come to Edmonton to perform this new mix of the song. So is that happening? How can we make that happen?
I’ll premiere the information here. I will be coming to Edmonton. I’m coming this weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone, all my friends and family. And hopefully, I believe we’re going to be shooting a video for the song.
Nice, this is all just came together so quickly.
I’ve never experienced anything like this, but I’m just going with the momentum, going with the enthusiasm and excitement and I hope everyone shares it and listens to the song.
Have you already thought about if they do win the Stanley Cup, what you might do with this song or if there’s maybe another song in you?
I think if they win, I definitely want to be a part of the parade. I gotta play the song at the parade for sure.
- How are you planning to watch the Oilers game? Let us know in an email to ask@cbc.ca.