League of Legends
Biography
Riot Games Music (RGM) is the primary artist and creative force behind the music of League of Legends, functioning as a music label that develops and produces songs through collaborations with both virtual and real-world artists. RGM is known for creating virtual bands composed of League of Legends champions and for producing annual anthems for the League of Legends World Championship, partnering with high-profile musicians. These musical projects span numerous genres and have become a core part of the League of Legends experience, engaging millions of fans worldwide.
Virtual Bands
Riot Games has launched several virtual bands, bringing League of Legends characters to life as music artists. These groups release original music and perform at major events, often through augmented reality. Each band has a unique identity and genre.
Pentakill
Pentakill was the first virtual band created by Riot Games, debuting in 2014. The heavy metal band's lineup features champions Karthus and Kayle as lead vocalists, Mordekaiser on guitar, Yorick on bass, Sona on keyboards, and Olaf on drums. Their music is primarily performed by Riot's in-house team with contributions from renowned metal musicians like Jørn Lande, Noora Louhimo, and formerly Tommy Lee. Pentakill has released multiple albums, including "Smite & Ignite" and "Grasp of the Undying," with the latter reaching #1 on the iTunes metal charts.
K/DA
K/DA is a virtual K-pop girl group that debuted in 2018 to massive success. The group consists of champions Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai'Sa. Their debut single, "POP/STARS," went viral and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The voices behind the original song were Madison Beer, Jaira Burns, and Miyeon and Soyeon of the K-pop group (G)I-DLE. K/DA has expanded its discography with an EP titled "ALL OUT," collaborating with a diverse roster of musicians.
True Damage
Following the success of K/DA, Riot Games introduced the hip-hop collective True Damage in 2019. The group's members are champions Akali, Qiyana, Yasuo, Ekko, and Senna. Their debut single, "GIANTS," featured a lineup of real-world artists including Becky G, Keke Palmer, SOYEON of (G)I-DLE, Duckwrth, and Thutmose. The group performed live at the 2019 League of Legends World Championship Finals, using holographic projections of their champion counterparts.
HEARTSTEEL
HEARTSTEEL is an all-male virtual band introduced in 2023. The group is composed of champions Ezreal, Sett, K'Sante, Kayn, Yone, and Aphelios. Their music draws inspiration from modern music collectives and various genres. Their debut single, "PARANOIA," features vocals from real-life artists Baekhyun of EXO, Cal Scruby, ØZI, and Tobi Lou.
World Championship Anthems
Since 2014, Riot Games has collaborated with major artists to create an official anthem for the annual League of Legends World Championship. These songs are accompanied by animated music videos that often feature professional players and champion narratives, setting the tone for the tournament.
Notable Collaborations:
- 2014: "Warriors" by Imagine Dragons.
- 2017: "Legends Never Die" by Against The Current.
- 2018: "RISE" by The Glitch Mob, Mako, and The Word Alive.
- 2019: "Phoenix" by Cailin Russo and Chrissy Costanza.
- 2022: "STAR WALKIN'" by Lil Nas X.
- 2023: "GODS" by NewJeans.
- 2024: "Heavy is the Crown" by Linkin Park.