Riot Games has launched the official anthem for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship, “Heavy Is the Crown,” by Linkin Park. One day away from the start of LoL Esports’ greatest occasion of the yr, Riot has shared the anthem which is able to accompany the highest 20 groups via the very best competitors of the yr.
The official affirmation that Linkin Park would carry out the 2024 Worlds anthem arrived this Sunday, following hypothesis that started in early September when LoL Esports’ social media accounts interacted with the band’s comeback announcement. The information was largely well-received by the League group who had excessive expectations for this yr’s anthem following the 2023 hit “GODS” by NewJeans.
Linkin Park’s reunion has confronted some criticism, each from the general public and the household of the late singer Chester Bennington, primarily because of new vocalist Emily Armstrong’s affiliation with the Church of Scientology and help of Danny Masterson throughout his trial for rape in 2021. (He was discovered responsible and sentenced to 30 years to life.) Although Armstrong has already publicly addressed the matter, stating she “misjudged” Masterson on the time, followers of the band nonetheless felt betrayed and plenty of are undecided whether or not to indicate help for their favourite band or not.
This doesn’t appear to dim the joy of League followers for “Heavy Is the Crown,” since as many as 100,000 of them tuned in for the tune’s premiere on YouTube at present. The band had already carried out the tune stay at their live performance in Hamburg final week, however at present’s studio efficiency paired with the official music video formally marks its launch.
This yr’s music video was created by Brunch Studio and it follows T1, the present world champions, led by Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, as they battle different groups’ representatives to maintain their crown. While Faker has appeared in six Worlds anthem music movies earlier than, together with “Ignite” (2016), “RISE” (2018), and “GODS” (2023), that is the primary time he and his crew are taking heart stage within the story.
The video additionally options an animated model of Linkin Park performing within the throne room, marking a uncommon look as few artists have made appearances in previous Worlds anthem music movies, with solely Lil Nas X that includes in “Star Walkin'” (2022) and a short glimpse of Zedd’s hand in “Ignite” (2016). But this isn’t the primary time Fortiche Studio has animated a band for Riot, as they beforehand introduced Imagine Dragons to life within the music video for “Enemy,” off the soundtrack for the Netflix present Arcane.
The 2024 anthem is predicted to carry out properly throughout platforms, particularly contemplating the success of earlier performers like Imagine Dragons, Lil Nas X, Zedd, and NewJeans, whose anthems have collectively garnered greater than 10 billion streams throughout digital service platforms, based on Riot. Linkin Park’s new single, “Emptiness Machine,” has already achieved 96 million listens on Spotify alone inside simply two weeks, indicating a powerful begin that bodes properly for the efficiency of the opposite songs current within the album From Zero, together with “Heavy Is the Crown.” However, most LoL Esports followers’ eyes watching the music video are all on T1.
The South Korean crew has been a dominant pressure within the League aggressive scene for greater than a decade, with a observe report that few groups can rival. The crew’s journey started in 2013 once they gained their first World Championship; Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who joined T1 that very same yr, rapidly turned the face of the crew and one of essentially the most identified gamers on the earth.
Over the subsequent decade, T1 and Faker continued to construct their legacy. They secured two extra World Championship titles in 2015 and 2016, turning into the primary crew to win three Worlds trophies. However, their path wasn’t with out setbacks. In 2017, T1 fell quick within the World Championship finals, dropping to Samsung Galaxy, which marked a uncommon stumble for the squad. Similar disappointments got here in 2022 once they reached the finals once more however had been defeated by DRX in a shocking five-game sequence.
Still, T1’s resilience saved them on the prime.
In 2023, 10 years after their first victory, they made an unimaginable comeback, successful their fourth World Championship in entrance of a house crowd in Seoul. This victory cemented their place as essentially the most profitable crew in League of Legends historical past — no different crew has come near matching their 4 Worlds titles.
At the middle of T1’s success is Faker, who has been with the crew via all their highs and lows. Known because the Unkillable Demon King, Faker’s unimaginable ability, consistency, and management have made him a worldwide icon in esports, extending affect past the sport itself, with many contemplating him the best participant in League of Legends historical past. In 2024, Riot acknowledged his unparalleled contributions by inducting him into their Hall of Legends because the first-ever honoree, solidifying his standing.
The League of Legends World Championship Finals are one of the most important esports occasions of the yr, drawing thousands and thousands of viewers globally. But what ought to persuade non-esports followers to tune in is the Opening ceremony, as through the years Riot constructed over-the-top exhibits that would rival essentially the most eccentric of concert events, remodeling the occasion right into a cultural phenomenon. This yr’s Finals will happen on Nov. 2 on the O2 Arena in London. While it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s rumored that Linkin Park may carry out “Heavy Is the Crown” stay, following the custom of anthems’ artists gracing the stage of the competitors earlier than its closing second.
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