The members and vocalists of Riot Music's latest music project, "Heartsteel", have captured the hearts of the League of Legends community and beyond! Heartsteel had their debut stage at this year's most anticipated international esports event, the 2023 League of Legends Worlds Championship, only heightening their popularity.
The hype ignited by League of Legends’ virtual K-pop girl group, KD/A, still courses through the veins of the gaming community, and Riot Games appears poised to rekindle those flames with an all-boy music group!
Since 2020, rumours about "Heartsteel" have steadily gained traction. Now, this boy band has become a hot topic once again among League of Legends fans, as their debut single, "PARANOIA", breaks records in both the gaming and music scenes.
Who are the League of Legends Heartsteel members?
The origins of Heartsteel can be traced back to a tweet by the Riot Games Music official Twitter (X) account. This post featured an image that revealed a cluttered table with a music production app open on a laptop, a sampler, and a keyboard, accompanied by the caption "WE'RE WORKING ON IT." For astute fans, this image was a clear reference to their upcoming boy band project.
However, what piqued fans' interest the most was the notebook splayed in the middle of the table, which contained lyrics to their upcoming song and doodles of the boy band members.
There are a total of six characters in the cluster of drawings. At the bottom right you can spot a chibi-style face with side bangs and a disgruntled expression, which ardent fans recognise as Aphelios. To his left is a cartoonishly buff figure with pointed ears, unmistakably Sett.
Shortly after this post was shared, Skinspotlight confirmed the full lineup for the League of Legends "Boy band" skin line, which includes the following six champions:
- Kayn (Legendary)
- Yone (+ Prestige)
- Ezreal
- Sett
- K'Sante
- Aphelios
Heartsteel roles and vocalists
Heartsteel’s talent is unparalleled. “The group’s personality and sound draws inspiration from modern music collectives, and a range of influences from across genres and eras, culminating in a bold, one-of-a-kind identity,” Riot Games said in a press release.
Most notably, the sensational K-pop idol Baekhyun has collaborated with Riot Games Music, lending his talents to Ezreal, much like how Soyeon and Miyeon from (G)I-DLE did for KD/A's Akali and Ahri.
You can find below the roles and vocalists for all Heartsteel members:
- Ezreal: Vocalist (Baekhyun)
- Kayn: Rapper, instrumentalist (Cal Scruby)
- Aphelios: Instrumentalist, songwriter
- Yone: Producer
- K’Sante: Co-leader, vocalist (Tobi Lou)
- Sett: Co-leader, rapper (ØZI)
This unique convergence of different music genres is also reflected in the music video for "PARANOIA", which showcases a dynamic mixed-media art animation.
"PARANOIA" by Heartsteel is out now!
Heartsteel's debut single is titled "PARANOIA", as revealed by Riot Music. Riot released "Paranoia" on 23 October 2023.
You can now watch the “PARANOIA” music video on YouTube or listen to the track on all major listening platforms!
To many, HEARTSTEEL was an unlikely group for Riot to assemble for a League of Legends song. But Riot has managed to make it work. Their debut single, "PARANOIA", features a playful EDM-flavored drum style, combining gritty hip-hop with a bright K-pop influence, all complemented by a playful high synth. Every element in the mix comes together into an infectious track.
Their electrifying performance of "PARANOIA" at the opening ceremony of the League of Legends World Championship 2023 grand finals left their devoted fanbase clamoring for more. As of now, Riot Games Music has yet to announce any future projects with HEARTSTEEL, but judging from their immense popularity, it's not totally out of the question for the boys to band together once more!
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