Rapper creates track to launch team's new kit

1SideJay performed his track Hometown Hero in front of thousands, including family and friends, at Bescot Stadium on Wednesday

A local music artist has told how he was picked by Walsall FC to record a song for the launch of the team's new home kit.

1SideJay recorded the song Hometown Hero for the club's video promoting their new kit, which has already generated over 130,000 views on X.

The Walsall rapper performed the song to a crowd of thousands during the club's pre-season match against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

In a post on Instagram, Jay said if it wasn't for his three kids, "yesterday would have been the best day of my life".

Producer Taylor Made, left, and cousin 1SideJay have also been asked to create an official music video for the track

Speaking ahead of his half-time performance at Bescot Stadium, the rapper said he was "excited" as music was "all I ever wanted to do.”

He told BBC Radio WM the reception of the song had been “better than expected” and it was an “opportunity to do the most we can”.

“The club actually came to us,” he explained. “They came to us and said 'oh, would you like to perform it?'”

“It was never a question,” he added. “I’d do it again next week.”

Jay and producer Taylor Made have also been asked by the club to film a music video for the two-minute track, which also references the Saddlers' former goalkeeper Jimmy Walker.

“I definitely feel like this is the start of the next chapter of my life as an artist and as a man," Jay added.

"It's definitely given me a new energy and a new lease of life... to just keep pushing. Because this is a big bucket list thing."

'Anything's possible'

Taylor, who is also Jay's cousin, said he was feeling “amazing” and all their hard work "was coming together.”

He described the track as "one big collaboration between people from Walsall".

The reaction had been ”heartwarming," he said, adding it "was just the beginning" and there would be more music in the future.

"Anything's possible. We didn't think we could so something like this," Taylor said.