An outsider shares his Delaware pride

Brooklyn native Abdul “Pearle” Chatman shares the lyrics and the meaning behind “The Delaware Anthem,” his personal shout-out to the state he now calls home.

Q. We’ve taken a listen to “The Delaware Anthem” a few times, and we’ve got to say, it’s one catchy tune. When and why did you write it?

A. Ever since I moved here from Brooklyn a few years ago, I was amazed by how much Delaware had to offer and how little respect the state gets. Ya know, the whole “Dela Where?” joke and the slower/lower remarks. I wanted to write an anthem that everyone could be receptive to, regardless of age, race or where you’re from in this state. And I wanted it to represent some of what's going on here. The song took me about a year to write, produce and finish.

Q. Who helped you produce the song, and who is the female voice we’re hearing in the chorus?

A. The Dre & Josh Music Group, located in New Castle, helped me produce the song. Those guys are professional and passionate about what they do, and being native Delawareans, they were perfect for the job. They really helped bring life to my vision, which was enhanced by Shameka McDonald, a singer/songwriter out of Aberdeen, Md., which is the female voice you’re hearing on the track.

Q. How has the anthem been received so far?

A. I think pretty well. I put together a video on the song to promote a clothing line I’m fronting, called “Black Tag Apparel” and that's going well. It's been getting some play on 91.3 WVUD and KISS 101.7 and I performed the song live for the first time with the King George Band earlier this month. We've got another gig scheduled together for Feb. 6 at the Sand Bar in Middletown.

Q. One of our favorite lines has got to be in the second verse, where you rhyme the pride of Delaware basketball, Elena Delle Donne, with basketball great LeBron James.

A.Yeah, it might be the first time a female basketball player is referenced in a hip-hop song, but I was really taken aback by her story. Delle Donne, Punkin’ Chunkin’, Joe Biden, those are all Delaware characters and references that are reasons to be proud of living in the first state. I created the song to bring more good energy to Delaware, that kind of breath of fresh air that I experienced when I moved here.