League of Legends has a boy band now, ‘a bunch of dynamic daredevils devoted to unapologetic individuality and artistic expression’

5 years after turning 4 of its characters right into a faux Ok-Pop group, League of Legends has a boy band now. The six-man group is known as Heartsteel, and it options “re-imagined” variations of the LoL characters Ezreal, Kayn, Aphelios, Yone, Ok’Sante, and Sett.

“Heartsteel is a bunch of dynamic daredevils devoted to unapologetic individuality and artistic expression,” Riot stated in a press launch so over-the-top I am unable to assist however quote it immediately. “Their mission is to blaze a path to achievement on their very own phrases. The group’s character and sound attracts inspiration from fashionable music collectives, and a variety of influences from throughout genres and eras, culminating in a daring, one-of-a-kind identification.”

I respect the dedication to the bit, which is powerful sufficient that every member—none of whom really exist, keep in mind, that is principally Jem and the Holograms for the brand new millennium—has a particular position throughout the band. 

I suppose that is not terribly unusual for this kind of factor: Most cartoons have some kind of “chief/sexpot/mind/substance abuse man/speaking canine” hierarchy occurring. Even so, it lands slightly bizarre seeing all of it specified by such black-and-white phrases.

Here is the roster, together with the real-life performers who will give them voice:

Ezrael (vocalist): Baekhyun, a member of the real-world Ok-Pop teams EXO and SuperM, and one of many prime vocalists within the style with 9 million-selling data to his title.Kayn (rapper, instrumentalist): Cal Scruby, an LA-based rapper recognized for his sports activities references and self-deprecating humor who has beforehand partnered with manufacturers together with the NFL, EA Sports activities, and Ciroc Vodka.Ok’Sante (co-leader, vocalist): Tobi Lou, a “multi-talented artist” born in Nigeria and raised in Chicago, who fuses hip-hop, R&B, and pop with “plain melodies.”Sett (co-leader rapper): 0ZI, a star on the Mandarin music scene whose debut album earned six nominations on the Golden Melody Awards, the place he additionally claimed the award for Greatest New Artist.

And a pair who I assume are extra the sturdy, silent varieties:

Aphelios (instrumentalist, songwriter)Yone (producer)

Heartsteel will drop its debut single Paranoia on October 23, and I’ve to confess that I am desperate to see what comes of it. I used to be very skeptical about Ok/DA, the faux Ok-Pop group that Riot rolled out again in 2018, however its first single, backed by a classy animated video, was a legit banger. Will Heartsteel duplicate that success? If I needed to put cash on it proper now I would positively go along with “in all probability not,” however primarily based on the precedent established by Ok/DA I am prepared to maintain an open thoughts.

Ok/DA and Heartsteel aren’t the one bands that do not actually exist composed of League of Legends characters: There’s additionally Pentakill, a virutal metallic band that really preceded Ok/DA, and True Harm, a hip hop floor that debuted in 2019. Frankly, neither of them did a lot for me.

Pop/Stars continues to be a banger, although.