[Video] Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri ‘Welcome to Atlanta’ Falcons Remix

While the Star Spangled Banner remains a touchy subject in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons have recreated an anthem to promote patriotism in the city and hometown team.

The Falcons released a remixed version Wednesday of the 2001 hit “Welcome To Atlanta” by Grammy award winning Atlanta rappers Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris. The team said it serves as a way to unify those within the city by connecting “the toughness, unity, style, and resilience that are at the core of both the Falcons team, their fans and city of Atlanta.”

The team and Dupri, largely known as the “father of southern hip-hop,” announced their partnership in January as an “anthem for the city and the fans as the team embarks on its second playoff berth under the leadership of head coach, Dan Quinn.”

The song also features the all-female string quartet, Atlanta Celli. The video was recorded on the roof of the $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium that opened last year and outside of the Falcons’ locker room.

In a Q&A released Wednesday by the Falcons, neither Dupri nor Ludacris, who’s real name is Christopher Brian Bridges, mention the ongoing controversy related to NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, a stance started in 2016 by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a way to protest police brutality. The pair primarily discussed the importance of taking pride in the city.

“It’s not just a jingle. It’s a song that has the pain that others in the city feel. If you’re from here, you know exactly what we’re talking about,” Dupri said.

“I want this song to go on and on forever, and people from Atlanta put their arms around it and just sing it to each other,” he added. “At the same time, for all of the teams (coming to play here)…Welcome to Atlanta.”

Bridges said he hopes the song works as a motivational tool for both the players and fans.

“I love this team and what they do for the morale of this city,” he said. “We are ‘ this’ close. This is our year. It’s not about how we fall, it’s about how we rise.”