In preparation for the 2022 League of Legends World Championship, Riot Games has worked with American rapper Lil Nas X to develop the brand-new Prestige Empyrean K’Sante skin.
In order to continue the Championship, the musician will also play STAR WALKIN’, the Worlds 2022 competition’s official anthem, at the tournament’s Finals opening ceremony in San Francisco.
What is Lil Nas X doing at Riot Games?
Riot Games announced on September 15 that the two-time Grammy winner has been chosen as the honorary “President” of League.
Riot and Lil Nas X collaborated on an entertaining video that portrayed the rapper as League of Legends’ “President.” The rapper was given a gold-painted chair, a plaque that read “I AM THE BOSS,” and landlines installed throughout the office that played STAR WALKIN’ whenever a phone call came in.
Nas appeared to enjoy portraying the eccentric celebrity boss, exuding an almost contagious level of insane energy while forcing Riot staff to listen to his music incessantly.
I felt like it was time for me to try something new. I’ve left my mark on pop culture in so many ways, and now it’s time to take on the world of gaming. I will be the greatest President of League of Legends, of all time. Also I’m going to make the best Worlds anthem of all time and put on the biggest, coolest, sexiest Worlds in the history of all Worlds! ‘STAR WALKIN’’ is the only song anyone is allowed to listen to from now on. Swag fr!
Lil Nas X, President of LoL
However, Riot’s tone in the statement may make some fans uncomfortable. To promote this year’s Worlds and a colorful skin for the new playable character K’Sante, the group promotes its headquarters as “a fever dream yet serene,” although staff has complained about an allegedly unpleasant working environment.
Current and former employees uncovered widespread racism and misogyny at the company in 2018. This prompted a class action lawsuit, with the corporation paying out $100 million (including attorneys’ fees) to nearly 2,000 employees.
Nonetheless, Riot’s recent roll-out of events surrounding the launch of new champion K’Sante has emphasized the organization’s “diversity objectives” and indicated a positive working culture for the same.