Get ready to queue up, summoners! Riot Games has pulled back the curtain to reveal K-Pop phenom NewJeans as the voice behind the 2023 League of Legends World Championship anthem. The hype track, aptly named “GODS,” will hit YouTube and your favorite music platforms on October 3 at 10 pm PT or 2 pm KST on October 4.
The Maestros Behind the Anthem
League’s in-house genius Sebastien Najand teamed up with Alex Seaver of Mako for this anthem. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they’ve cooked up LoL anthems like “Legends Never Die,” “RISE,” and “Awaken,” not to mention several bangers from the Arcane soundtrack.
Worlds Anthem: More than Just a Song
Carrie Dunn, Global Head of Creative, Esports at Riot Games, spoke about the significance of the Worlds Anthem in the LoL community. According to Dunn, “The Worlds Anthem is the rallying cry for our community every year.” Pairing the anthem with NewJeans was, in Dunn’s words, “a true cultural celebration.” The track promises a blend of epic production and NewJeans’ killer vocals, aiming to capture the essence of both the grind and glory awaiting players at Worlds.
NewJeans On Their League Collab
NewJeans seems pumped about the collab, stating it was “a new experience” for them and that they’re thrilled to introduce a track that brings together the unique elements of both NewJeans and League of Legends.
Joining the Anthem Hall of Fame
Maria Egan, Global Head of Music & Events at Riot Games Entertainment, highlighted NewJeans’ inclusion into an esteemed group. Imagine Dragons, Zedd, and Lil Nas X are just a few names who’ve previously set the stage for Worlds, turning the anthem into an iconic moment for the LoL community.
The Tale Behind the Video
This year’s Worlds music video will trace the journey of Korean pro player Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu. From his high-school discovery of League to his monumental 2022 Worlds run, the video aims to serve as an homage to Deft and his team’s against-all-odds victory. Without spoiling too much, the video will showcase iconic faces and unforgettable moments from Deft’s career, teasing an “incredible Worlds” according to Dunn.
Worlds 2023: A Landmark Year
Set to be a historic year, Worlds 2023 will mark the 10th anniversary of Worlds anthems. Worlds itself is already a mammoth event, boasting mind-boggling stats like a 30M+ average minute audience, 73M+ peak concurrent users, and a staggering 1B+ hours watched during Worlds 2021.
So, mark your calendars, fam. October 3 is the day “GODS” drops, and you don’t want to miss it. Whether you’re grinding in solo queue or gearing up for some serious Worlds viewing parties, this anthem promises to fuel your gaming sessions with pure fire.
