Heartsteel makes big music comeback with new single—including new singers

League of Legends’ only all-male virtual group Heartsteel returns after three years with a new single, “Live My Life”, Riot Games announced.

It will be released on Saturday, September 19 at 12am GMT+8 | Friday, September 18 at 9am PDT | Friday, September 18 at 6pm CET | Friday, September 18 at 4pm GMT on all official Riot Games platforms.

This is their second single since their debut song “PARANOIA” came out in 2023. It performed live at the Worlds 2023 final at the sold-out 18,000 seater Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul, in South Korea where the vocalists took the stage with AR technology before T1 and Weibo Gaming competed for the championship.

PARANOIA has since garnered more than 200 million streams across Riot Games platforms.

Why did it take Heartsteel three years to return with a second single?

“Live My Life” is written and produced by American singer, songwriter, and record producer Jon Bellion who is celebrated for his genre-bending style that blends pop, hip-hop, indie rock, and electronic beatmaking.

According to Riot, the song “celebrates the freedom that comes from embracing who you are and living life loudly without apology.” It blends musical experimentation with raw emotion and “captures the energy of a group stepping confidently into their next chapter on their own terms.”

This contrasts with PARANOIA, a high-octane alternative hip-hop and pop-rap hybrid that blends the slick polish of modern K-pop boy bands with aggressive, Western rap-rock energy.

“The group was still figuring out where they belonged. The track captured a band full of raw talent held together by ambition, anxiety, and close friendships,” Riot wrote in the official press release. “Three years later, Heartsteel returns ready to leave their self-doubt behind. They’re back brighter, bolder, and more assured than ever.”

Who is writer and producer Jon Bellion

Jon Bellion earned major solo success with his 2016 breakout hit “All Time Low” and his feature on Illenium’s “Good Things Fall Apart,” and is equally renowned as a pop powerhouse behind the scenes.

Bellion has penned and produced massive global hits for top-tier artists, co-writing Eminem and Rihanna’s Grammy-winning “The Monster,” Justin Bieber’s “Ghost,” Maroon 5’s “Memories,” and Jung Kook’s “Seven.”

Revered for his live instrumentation, complex vocal chopping, and dynamic live shows, he is widely considered one of the most versatile producer-songwriters of his generation.

Heartsteel new members for 2026

BAEKHYUN

One of Korea’s most accomplished solo artists and a core member of global K-pop powerhouse EXO, BAEKHYUN makes his return to Heartsteel.

“I’m really excited to be collaborating with League of Legends again,” shared BAEKHYUN, a dedicated League player who returns as the voice of Ezreal. “During my ‘Reverie tour’ last year, I had the chance to visit the Riot campus, where I connected with the Riot team, exchanged ideas, and we found a lot of inspiration in each other.”

“It feels especially meaningful to see that inspiration turn into something we can now share with fans and players around the world. I honestly can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve created together. It’s going to be incredible.”

Nic D

An independent artist, author, and multi-hyphenate creator, Nic D co-hosts the massively popular FRDi Show, a viral comedy podcast and digital brand with a devoted global audience.

Anderson .Paak

A nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, songwriter, drummer, and director, global multi-hyphenate Anderson .Paak is currently touring alongside Bruno Mars as DJ Pee .Wee and as one-half of Silk Sonic.

Connor Price

A Canadian actor and leading independent artist who built a global fanbase without traditional label support, Connor Price is best known for his viral “Spin the Globe” series, his debut album About Time featuring Big Sean and Idris Elba, and a sold-out North American tour alongside frequent collaborator Nic D.

Who are Heartsteel and how do they compare to K/DA

Heartsteel is the all-male pop collective in the growing roster of groundbreaking virtual artists within the iconic League of Legends IP.

This group of dynamic daredevils reimagines beloved in-game champions as pop stars: Ezreal (vocalist), Kayn (rapper, instrumentalist), Aphelios (instrumentalist, songwriter), Yone (producer), K’Sante (co-leader, vocalist), and Sett (co-leader, rapper). Despite their wildly different personalities and creative styles, the six are close friends united by a shared passion for making music together.

While both groups operate within Riot Games Music’s virtual roster, their sonic identities and group dynamics represent two distinct sides of the pop spectrum. K/DA represents the peak of high-fashion, hyper-polished K-pop, delivering sleek aesthetics, high-concept choreography, and soaring vocal hooks anchored by electronic dance drops.

Heartsteel, by contrast, thrives on a chaotic, garage-band energy. They feel less like a traditional idol group and more like an alternative hip-hop collective bound by creative freedom and individual attitude, grounding their sound in heavy 808s, distorted synth-basslines, fast-talking hip-hop flows, and smooth R&B vocals.

K/DA established the standard for virtual pop acts with their 2018 smash hit “POP/STARS” and their full-length “ALL OUT” EP, while Heartsteel pushed Riot’s musical universe in a modern, male-led pop-rap direction with their 2023 debut single “PARANOIA.”