The Carolina Panthers were sitting on a record of 3-8-1 last season when three aspiring musicians decided to record a rap video to show their support for the team. Armed only with a smart phone, they trekked to Bank of America Stadium and “Home Team” was born.
Since that day in 2014, the Panthers have not lost a regular-season game, and this season the team is on an undefeated streak and is headed toward the playoffs.
Coincidence?
Not at all, say the three Charlotte musicians — Bino P, Q Dot and Dee Mills – who collectively go by the name Open Minds.
“It’s been like a good luck charm since we made the song,” said Bino P, a 22-year-old graduate of Olympic High School.
“That was one of the most organic things we’ve ever done,” added Q Dot, 21, also an Olympic grad. “We went in front of the stadium and we did our thing.”
On YouTube, their video has been played more than 24,000 times, and the trio is hoping it will blow up to become a local favorite among Panthers fans.
“Me, I’ve always been envious of Pittsburgh; they’ve got the ‘black-and-yellow, black-and-yellow, black-and-yellow,’” said Q Dot, referencing a popular Steelers Nation remix.
Q Dot said some fans of their video naturally assume that they made the recording as a way of hopping on this year’s Panthers bandwagon. Not so, they say, though they acknowledge they’ve made revisions as the team’s prospects improved.
“I grew up a Panthers fan, so I go all the way back to Jake Delhomme, Rodney Peete, Chris Weinke,” he said. “I love the Panthers.”
The musicians also have designed a “Home Team” t-shirt – in black and blue, of course – which sells at Buzz City Graphics on South Boulevard.
As for the song, the three are keeping their fingers crossed. They’d love to see it become the official team song during this year’s playoff run.
“I think we should just work as hard as we can and let it go where God takes us,” said Bino P. “…As big as it can go is where we want it to go.”
