Updated on September 23, 4:43 p.m. (GMT+8): Added Heavy Is The Crown official key visual.
Updated on September 23, 11:14 a.m. (GMT+8): Added quote from Global Head of Music at Riot Games.
After teasing interactions on social media, the rumors have indeed turned out to be true — Linkin Park is the official performing artist for the 2024 League of Legends World Championship anthem, “Heavy Is The Crown.”
They follow a long line of epic Worlds songs performers since the tradition first started in 2014 with Warriors by Imagine Dragons. Other legendary anthems sung by the biggest superstars in music include Legends Never Die by Against the Current (Worlds 2017), STAR WALKIN’ by Lil Nas X (2022), and GODS by NewJeans (Worlds 2023). Read our Worlds songs rankings here.
“It’s been an amazing experience partnering with Riot to bring this anthem to the global League of Legends community,” said Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. “The song is a real highlight of this new era for us, harnessing our signature sound and infusing it with fresh energy. We’re so excited for players and fans to experience this!”
Linkin Park performs Worlds 2024 song Heavy Is The Crown
Linkin Park is making a huge comeback in 2024 since the passing of lead vocalist and co-founder, Chester Bennington, in 2017. Now led by original co-founding member Mike Shinoda, he is joined by returning members Brad Delson on guitar, Dave Farrell on bass, and DJ Joe Hahn.
Co-vocalist Emily Armstrong is the newest face on the cover — who is also the leader of American rock band Dead Sara — while drummer Colin Brittain replaces Rob Bourdon.
They released a new number one single “The Emptiness Machine,” which debuted at #21 on Billboard’s Hot 100, garnering over 80 million streams. The band is current on a six-date world tour, performing in the USA, Germany, London, South Korea, and Colombia, which concludes on November 11, 2024.
They are expected to perform Heavy Is The Crown live during the Worlds 2024 final on November 2, 2024 at the O2 Arena in London.
“The Worlds anthem is the music moment that Lethiague players look forward to the most each year, and it has become a highly coveted fixture in music across the world, “ said Maria Egan, Global Head of Music at Riot Games.
“As the band embarks on this exciting new chapter, we’re honored to partner with them for the 2024 anthem. The lyrics for ‘Heavy Is The Crown’ perfectly capture the narrative for this year’s Worlds and they are a powerful companion to the themes of our music video.”
The Emptiness Machine is part of Linkin Park’s eighth studio album “From Zero,” which releases on November 15, 2024 on Warner Records. The band’s biggest albums include Hybrid Theory (2000), Meteora (2003), Minutes to Midnight (2007), and A Thousand Suns (2009). Their music has evolved significantly over the years, blending rock, hip-hop, and electronic elements.
Fans can watch the Heavy Is The Crown music video on YouTube — tune in here for the premiere when it goes live. You can stream the track on all official music platforms from September 24, 8 a.m. PT | 10 a.m. CT. | 11 p.m. GMT+8.
The League of Legends World Championship, or Worlds, is an annual esports tournament that determines the world champion of the biggest MOBA game in the world, League of Legends. It’s one of the largest and most prestigious esports events globally, attracting millions of viewers.
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