K-pop group NewJeans has partnered with Riot Games to create the anthem for the 2023 League of Legends World Championship. The anthem, titled “GODS,” will be released on October 3, with the tournament starting on October 10 in Seoul, South Korea. This collaboration is a significant milestone for NewJeans, a relatively new girl group that debuted in 2022 and already holds the record for the fastest K-pop act to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify since their debut.
The Worlds anthem has become an annual tradition and rallying cry for the League of Legends community. Carrie Dunn, global head of creative, esports at Riot Games, expressed excitement about partnering with NewJeans and described the anthem as a celebration of both the intense competition and the glory that awaits players at Worlds. The song was written by Riot Games’ principal composer Sebastien Najand and Alex Seaver of Mako. Seaver is known for his work on previous Worlds anthems as well as multiple songs on Netflix’s Arcane soundtrack.
The music video for “GODS” will follow the story of Korean pro player Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu, who led his team to victory at Worlds 2022. Riot Games aims to capture the essence of esports storytelling through the video, showcasing familiar faces and unforgettable moments in Deft’s journey from 2013 to his triumph last year. The collaboration between NewJeans and Riot Games marks the tenth anniversary of League of Legends Worlds anthems and reflects Riot’s ongoing commitment to combining music, games, and fandom. With the event taking place in Korea, it will provide easier access for local fans and international viewers invested in the rivalry between Deft and esports legend Faker.