Before thousands of fans gathered at the FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas, four North Texas artists came together to create an anthem reflecting the city’s sound, culture, and energy. Led by ShySpeaks and Tye Harris, who also produced the energetic track, and featuring Gavin Copeland and xBValentine, “World in Our City” blends hip-hop, soul, bilingual vocals, and contemporary influences into a celebration of unity as Dallas welcomed the world. Each artist brought a distinct musical identity and personal perspective, shaping a project that reflects the city’s diversity.
While Tye Harris was unavailable for an interview, ShySpeaks, Gavin Copeland, and xBValentine described what inspired them to join the project, how the collaboration came together under a tight deadline, and what they hope listeners will remember after the final whistle.
When you were invited to be a part of this project, what made you say yes, and what did it mean to represent Dallas on a global stage?
ShySpeaks: When I got the phone call asking if I could pull together a song with another lead artist and bring everybody together, I immediately thought yes. It was a quick yes because I knew what it represented. It gave me an opportunity to represent Dallas, which I’m a super proud native of, and to assemble a team of other Dallas residents and Dallas-connected artists who also have that same passion for the city. I thought, ‘Man, this is going to be cool,’ because we’ll get to talk about sports, competition, motivation, and all those things while spotlighting the fact that the world is in our city.
Gavin Copeland: There was no doubt in my mind. As soon as I got the call to be a part of FIFA, I was on board right away. It is an honor to be part of such a historic moment. Also, to represent Texas on one of the biggest stages in the world is a blessing.”
xBValentine: The opportunity felt bigger than just making a song. The FIFA World Cup is one of those rare moments where the entire world is paying attention, and being trusted to help create the soundtrack for Dallas was an incredible honor. As a Texas-born artist, it meant a lot to represent not only the city but also the diversity and culture that make this state so special. Moments like these remind you that music can travel farther than you ever imagined.
What qualities were you looking for in the artists you brought together?
ShySpeaks: I was looking for people who had a distinctive sound because we wanted the song to have clear representation across a multitude of people. The artists had to be set in their sound. We also wanted people who had passion for Dallas, a strong listener base, and who represented a culture themselves. That’s what we got with XB Valentine, Gavin Copeland, and Tye Harris.
Gavin Copeland: I think it was about finding the right people who are humble—someone who doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight and who is willing to put in the work to make sure this record reaches the masses.
xBValentine: The biggest thing was authenticity. Everyone involved has their own unique sound, story, and audience, and nobody was trying to outshine anyone else. We all came in with the same goal of making something that genuinely represents Dallas. When artists respect each other’s strengths instead of competing, the music naturally becomes stronger.
What were the biggest creative challenges of working under a timeline?
ShySpeaks: That was the craziest part. We knew the song was going to debut live at the FIFA Fan Festival, so the time crunch created a beautiful stress. It actually pulled out clarity. You don’t have enough time to play around or have muddy waters about what the sound is going to be. You have to know exactly what you want to produce. The crunch time created clarity.
Gavin Copeland: It’s always a challenge when you’re creating a masterpiece, but in my eyes it’s worth taking the extra time because this song will be remembered in history for generations. We had to get it done.
xBValentine: Time is always the biggest challenge because you want every detail to be intentional. Normally songs have time to evolve, but with a project like this you have to trust your instincts and make decisions confidently. Sometimes that pressure brings out your best work because everyone is fully locked in and focused on the same vision.
What did you want your voice and perspective to add to the song that celebrates Dallas while welcoming fans from all around the world?
ShySpeaks: I wanted the voice to say that this city is vibrant. This city has its own wavelength and its own beat. Once the world comes here, with more than four million people in the city, it becomes even more apparent that Dallas is a place where unity exists. It has its own energy, buzz, and vibe that only becomes stronger because we welcome and celebrate the diversity that’s coming here from around the globe.
Gavin Copeland: I wanted people to hear the power and the passion in my voice every time I sing. I wanted the fans to hear the uniqueness in my voice and the authenticity. I wanted everyone from every country to feel like the words represented them and that they would feel motivated to accomplish anything they put their minds to.
xBValentine: I wanted to bring authenticity and inclusivity. Dallas is made up of so many different cultures, languages, and communities, and I wanted my contribution to reflect that. Music has a way of making people feel like they belong, even if they’re thousands of miles from home. If someone from another country hears the song and feels welcomed, then we accomplished what we set out to do.
Every anthem needs a memorable emotional connection. What part of the song resonates with you the most, and why?
ShySpeaks: The part that resonates with me the most is the last line of both verses: ‘You better hurry up before you miss the move, undelay, one step real smooth.’ I like that line because it creates a sense of urgency—you should be here because you’re going to miss it if you don’t. Then it leads into XB Valentine singing in Spanish. Dallas has a speed to it, but it’s not too fast. It’s real smooth. That’s what I wanted that line to represent.
Gavin Copeland: I think the whole song is memorable. Every artist did their part justice, representing the grit and the grind it takes to become a champion. It also represents everyone coming together to cheer their team on to victory.
xBValentine: For me, it’s the feeling of unity. Sports and music have this incredible ability to erase differences, even if it’s just for a few minutes. People from completely different backgrounds can sing the same song, celebrate together, and share the same moment. That’s something really powerful, and I think this anthem captures that spirit.
This project brings together artists with different musical backgrounds and styles. How did those differences strengthen the final song?
ShySpeaks: When Gavin Copeland brought his own approach to the lyrics, he added grit, soul, and a different texture to the song. XB Valentine was able to move between Spanish and English in a way that’s very common in Texas. She brought something Tye Harris and I simply couldn’t have voiced ourselves. That strengthened the variety, diversity, and representation in the song.
Gavin Copeland: Every artist on the song brought a different element and uniqueness to the record. Everyone showed their own sense of creativity and passion. We all got to tell a story about the fight it takes to get to the top and reach a common goal.
xBValentine: Those differences became our biggest advantage. Every artist approached the record from a different creative perspective, which made the song feel layered and dynamic. Instead of hearing one voice, you’re hearing multiple stories coming together. That’s exactly what Dallas looks like—different cultures, different sounds, and different experiences all existing together.
The debut performance at the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival featured the Dallas Legion All-Stars Monster Band in front of thousands of fans. What was going through your mind when you took the stage?
ShySpeaks: We were looking at each other and high-fiving, thinking, ‘This is cool.’ The Dallas Legion Band brought the record to life in a way that only a live band can. Seeing the young people on stage gave the song a future-forward feel. Performing in front of thousands of fans from all around the world was surreal, but more than anything, it was inspiring.
Gavin Copeland: It was an unforgettable experience. It showed me that all my hard work was paying off, and I was finally getting to share my message with the fans. To represent FIFA and be part of this journey was a feeling like no other.
xBValentine: It was one of those moments where everything slows down for a second. I looked out into the crowd and realized people from all over the world were sharing this experience together. I felt grateful more than anything. As an independent artist, you dream about opportunities like this, and to actually be standing there representing Dallas was something I’ll never forget.
What do you hope the fans and listeners take away from the song five or even ten years from now?
ShySpeaks: I hope people take away the fact that there’s a certain buzz and pulse that only happens when people are unified. I hope people rally around the idea of ‘all the fans’ and embrace that same unity and energy whenever cities come together to host championships or major events.
Gavin Copeland: I hope listeners, now or even in the future, hear this song and feel that even though there will be obstacles in life, if you keep fighting and come together as one, victory will always be within reach. I hope sports fans use it to cheer their favorite team on the road to becoming champions.
xBValentine: I hope it becomes tied to a great memory. Maybe it reminds someone of their first World Cup experience, a trip they took with family, or the excitement they felt celebrating with complete strangers. If this song can instantly transport people back to that feeling years from now, then it’s done exactly what great anthems are supposed to do.
Dallas has become one of the country’s most influential music cities. How do you think this collaboration reflects the city’s culture, diversity, and creative spirit?
ShySpeaks: I think this song is a really good example of what Dallas sounds like. It’s a mixed sound. Dallas has a distinctive sound because everybody brings something different to it. There’s a variety of artists you can tap into without feeling like everything sounds the same. This song showcases that variety really well.
Gavin Copeland: The city of Dallas is filled with many beautiful cultures. They’re all unique in their own way. All of us artists come from different walks of life, but we came together to make a worldwide song. That’s what makes Dallas such a great city. We don’t care about the color of your skin or how you grew up. We care about how you carry yourself and what’s in your heart.
xBValentine: Dallas is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, and this collaboration reflects that perfectly. You have artists with different backgrounds, influences, and musical styles coming together to create one unified record. We don’t all sound the same, and we don’t all come from the same place, but we know how to create something meaningful together. I think that’s the spirit people will hear when they listen to this song.
Be’n Original
