Three-time Grammy winner and Oakland native Fantastic Negrito has formally released “Root City,” the new official anthem of the Oakland Roots Sports Club.

“Root City” was originally written for the Roots’ Justice Match in 2020, created to promote racial equity and support the then-ongoing George Floyd protests. It was initially meant to be played before the match in an effort to raise money for the Oakland Roots Justice Fund, a charity associated with the team to support race and gender justice.

“Soccer is the most-watched sport around the world,” Negrito said in a statement. “Working on this anthem with Oakland Roots felt right because we are part of an international community that appreciates the sport and a local community that includes people from so many different cultures.”

From the Roots’ perspective, he was a natural fit.

“For the Roots, soccer is more than just sport. It’s about art, culture, diversity, creativity and challenging the status quo. And I can’t think of anyone who brings all those qualities together with an Oakland flavor better than Fantastic Negrito,” said Roots co-founder Edreece Arghandiwal.

Follow editor Daniel J. Willis at Twitter.com/BayAreaData.