Viral Rap Video Featuring Steelers, Local CEOs Raising Epilepsy Awareness
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "This is your boy, Diesel Kiesel, on WEPF-FM. Shout out to my boy David Malone and the Epileptic Foundation with this hot new track!"
With those words, Steelers defensive end Brett Kiesel introduces an unlikely crew of rappers, including his boss, Art Rooney II.
The rap video for the Epilepsy Foundation, packed with Pittsburgh CEOs, has taken off on YouTube.
One of the scenes was shot at Big Science Music, downtown. Some of the unlikely "stars" got together to share their reactions to their overnight fame.
"We knew we were at risk for a complete disaster," said organizer Dave Malone, CEO of Gateway Financial.
He says he's not surprised by the public reaction.
"When you have a lot of nice people saying nice things, it wasn't shocking that it was well received," he said.
Producer Emmai Alaquiva was patient with performers who are much better at, let's say, other things.
"It's not about who's on beat and who's off beat," he said. "It's about who is part of a bigger cause."
That cause is raising funds to fight epilepsy.
"The attention the video has received and the attention that epilepsy is getting, it's extraordinarily important," said "rapper" Peggy Beem, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania.
Fellow "rapper" Carrie Coghill of Coghill Investment Strategies said her daughter gave her performance a thumbs-down.
"My daughter was mortified by the video in terms of my performance. She supports the effort and the real message of overcoming adversity. However, having her mom in the video was not so cool," she said.
Now they're challenging other would-be rappers to join the crowd. Next up could be you!
For more information, visit: http://www.efwp.org/give/Give.xml
Watch the full video here:
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