⦵ JC ⦵

paulit-ulit ko na tong na-qrt, ang bagal kasi ng oras… I’ve been wondering how SB19 came to cover K/DA’s Firestarter, especially since the original was just released. The more I think about it, the more curious I get about how this whole thing came together. A few theories don’t hurt, right? 😅 1. Maybe it’s partly about production costs and logistics. K/DA is a virtual group, and the artists behind it have their own careers, schedules, and management teams. Getting everyone together for a live performance, especially one involving elaborate virtual production, can’t be easy or cheap. SB19, on the other hand, is already a complete performing group. These guys can sing, rap, harmonize, and dance live, even with demanding choreography. Give them a stage, good sound, and lighting, and they’ll deliver. I’m not saying they’re necessarily cheaper to hire, but there’s something to be said for working with five artists who already have years of chemistry and know how to put on a show together. 2. Their music is practically made for gaming. Think CRIMZONE, BAZINGA, EVERBLACK, etc. The hard-hitting beats, powerful vocals, rap, and dramatic arrangements already sound like they belong in a game soundtrack. They’re gamers themselves, too, and they’ve already done gaming-related music, including the Honor of Kings championship anthem. So this isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for them. If anything, it’s a pretty natural fit. 3. Maybe those gaming industry connections are starting to pay off. Remember when Pablo and Justin visited Riot’s offices earlier this year? They’ve also crossed paths with the gaming world through OfflineTV and their pop-up event at 100 Thieves. I wonder if those visits had anything to do with this project. Did Riot approach SB19? Did 1Z pitch the idea? Was this something they’d been discussing for months? I’d really love to know who made the first move because they kept such a tight lid on this. And that’s saying something, considering how eagle-eyed A’TIN can be! 4. What if both sides are simply experimenting? This is the part I find most interesting. K/DA already has a successful musical identity and a passionate fan base. Having a boy group reinterpret a song from an established virtual girl group is an interesting creative gamble, especially with all the expectations surrounding K/DA’s comeback. For Riot, maybe it’s a chance to see how the music works with a completely different group of artists. For SB19, there’s the challenge of doing justice to an established act’s music while still making it their own. And knowing these five, I wouldn’t even try to guess what they’re planning. 5. Could this lead to something bigger? I’ve been thinking that gaming music could be a really good avenue for SB19 to reach more international audiences. They don’t necessarily have to rely on the usual pop music channels. Gaming has a massive worldwide audience, and people don’t need to know anything about P-pop to enjoy a great song attached to a game they love. And if this cover goes over well, who’s to say Riot won’t consider them again? Maybe for another cover, an original song, or even a live esports performance. Of course, SB19 already has so much going on with their group activities, solo careers, and everything they’re building at 1Z. So it would also depend on what they want to pursue and how much they can realistically take on. So, could this be Riot and SB19 testing the waters for something bigger? Or am I just overthinking a really cool collab? Obviously, these are just my guesses. I have no idea what actually went on behind the scenes, and I’m especially curious what longtime K/DA and League of Legends fans think. Has Riot done something similar before? What are your guesses? Either way, I’m excited for November 10. I’m also trying to calm my monkey brain and stop wondering about the rap parts and everything else. 😂 And I really hope we eventually get a bts at how this whole thing happened.