Reggae and hip hop recording artist Matisyahu grew up playing hockey in suburban Westchester County, New York, and when he ultimately moved to Los Angeles, he wanted his children to play as well.
“They weren’t really into it, so I took them to some games,” he said. It worked.
Through the Kings, who played his music at home games, he connected with Luc Robitaille. The friendship ultimately led him to Park City, Utah, where he took part in the Luc Robitaille Celebrity Shootout to benefit the Echoes of Hope charity.
By that point, his kids were hooked.
“They became huge Kings fans, and we go to games all the time, and I wrote a song, Champion, thinking they would win the Stanley Cup, and they did.”
Hold on. Can you repeat that? Matisyahu wrote a song envisioning the Kings winning the Stanley Cup – and then they won the whole thing?
“They played Live like a Warrior at Staples Center last year,” he said. “So I was like, OK, I want to write a song for them. So, yeah, I wanted to write a song for them, and I did. And then they won it.”
The song Champion is the fourth track on Akeda, Matisyahu’s fifth studio album. It was released on June 3, 10 days before the Kings won the Stanley Cup. Click here to purchase Akeda.
Earlier today, Kings anthemist Pia Toscano introduced Matisyahu at the NHL Awards, where he performed Champion set to the background of Kings playoff highlights.
Though Matisyahu skated at Dodger Stadium in January, he was eager to share the recollections of throwing out the first pitch at a Dodger game in 2012.
“The night before, I was in Philadelphia on tour. I was practicing because I didn’t play baseball, and they told me I would have to throw the opening pitch. We were where the Flyers play, in the arena, and I was practicing to pitch. They told me it was 90 feet, so I was working on throwing a pitch 90 feet, and when I got to Dodger Stadium, I was like, ‘This is no big deal.’”
The pitcher’s mound, for those less familiar with baseball, is 60 feet, six and a half inches from home plate.
More importantly, here are the lyrics to Champion, as provided by azlyrics.com:
When you’re feeling down, can’t go any further
Tossed to the ground, been kicked to the curb yah
Come against a foe and his eyes scream murder
How can I bounce back when I feel so hurt, yeah
Raise your cup to the sky
Spread your wings out wide
Champion nananananan
Champion, tonight
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight ’til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I’ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
To live your live, make a sacrifice
Trust your guts ’cause you know what’s right
Compassion and love, the stars shine bright
The songs will play as the fire light
At the dawn of day open up my eyes
King of all time won’t you hear my cry
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight ’til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I’ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
You’re a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
You’re a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
In this world of deception, make a resurrection
Muster up the strength to make a connection
Keep on going, keep on surviving
Thanks and praise to the one who enlivens
Rain down upon the creation
People of all of the nation
Enlighten yes your persuasion
And all of the amazement
I like to dream big to daydrift
Journey to the moon and back to the spaceship
All alone makin’ beats in the basement
Victory so close I can taste it
Raise your cup to the sky
Spread your wings out wide
Champion nananananan
Champion tonight
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight ’til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I’ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
(You’re a champion)
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight ’til the love it grows
(You’re a champion)
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I’ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
You’re a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
I’m a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
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