Explore The Creative Journey Of 'Superpower' Champions Anthem With Riot's Jonny Altepeter

From Reykjavík to Seoul, Valorant esports has come a long way, and what's a better way to celebrate each year than with a Champions Anthem? These anthems not only encapsulate the entire VCT season but also bring fans closer to the players and the game itself. The latest Champions Anthem, "Superpower," features a collaboration between Riot Games, Mark Tuan and Julie & Natty of Kiss of Life, infusing the taste of K-pop into Valorant's unique style.

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I had the opportunity to speak with Jonny Altepeter, Senior Manager of Music Supervision/Lead Music Supervisor at Riot Games, about the team's experience, the inspiration behind the anthem, potential future collaborations, and much more. Check out the complete interview below.

An Inside Look At The 'Superpower' Champions Anthem With Jonny Altepeter

How has the experience been working with multiple artists to create anthems and other music videos for Valorant?

Jonny: It's been extremely positive and inspiring! One of our main goals with music in Valorant has always been to enhance the player experience and connect with them in ways that feel authentic and personal. Each collaboration helps us explore new ways to create music that will resonate with our players.

Taking this approach has opened the door for us to work with emerging artists from all over the world, many of whom are VAL players themselves. Our Champions Anthems and music videos are a celebration of the player community.

Talking about the latest anthem, Superpower, what was the inspiration behind it?

Jonny: When it comes to our Valorant Champions anthems, we always strive to reinforce the overarching themes of the event. This year, our theme is SUPERNOVA, which represents an explosion of talent, energy, and brilliance—just like the players competing at the highest level. As we set out to create the anthem, we wanted to encapsulate that explosive energy and tell the story through the teams’ competitive experiences and the fans’ passions.

"Superpower" does just that, with lyrics that speak to the relentless drive and resilience required to shine brightly in the face of adversity. The lines "Pain is my superpower" and "This world never saw me coming, I kicked down every door they locked" mirror the journey of players who, like a supernova, burst through challenges and emerge stronger.

How did you decide to collaborate with Julie & Natty from Kiss of Life and Mark Tuan for Superpower? Also, how long did it take to assemble the entire team and complete the whole project?

Jonny: When we started researching artists to work with, our main goal was to find those who not only connected with the spirit of the song but could also represent the vibrant music culture of the region, with Seoul as its focal point this year. Mark Tuan and Julie & Natty of Kiss of Life were at the top of our shortlist from the very beginning, as both have deep ties to the dynamic music scene in this part of the world—Mark with his global influence as a VAL player himself and as part of GOT7, and Julie & Natty as rising stars in the K-pop industry.

Their involvement perfectly embodies the blend of worldwide and regional influences that make this area such an exciting hub for music. We’re so fortunate that they were excited to work with us on this project. From the initial concept to the final song, the process took several months, and we explored a variety of different directions before ultimately landing on what would become "Superpower."

It’s extremely important to us that we continually evolve the sound of Valorant and push ourselves into new and exhilarating spaces.

Every anthem has focused on a theme and conveyed a specific message to the community, whether it’s tied to in-game lore, the growth of Valorant Esports, or other aspects. What message does Riot want to convey with Superpower?

Jonny: At its core, “Superpower” is about embracing challenges and turning adversity into power. It speaks to the heart of what it means to be a competitor, both in Valorant and in life—facing setbacks, getting knocked down, but always rising stronger. Its lyrics are reminders that our greatest strength often comes from our struggles.

The anthem is not just about overcoming obstacles; it’s about transforming those challenges into something dynamic and awe-inspiring—just like a SUPERNOVA. We also got a teaser for the new agent in the music video. Could you talk a bit more about that? I couldn't be more excited for players to finally meet VYSE! For her campaign, we focused heavily on music and explored some new areas.

For the reveal cinematic, we collaborated with So Much Blood, an artist and composer known for their unique blend of gritty electronics and dark, ethereal soundscapes, which set the perfect tone for the world to experience the awe-inspiring power of VYSE for the first time.

For the gameplay trailer, we teamed up with KORDHELL, a leading figure in the Phonk genre, which has been pushing the boundaries of contemporary electronic music. KORDHELL was an ideal choice because his overall aesthetic perfectly aligns with VYSE. He created an incredible track for the campaign, which is now streaming on all DSPs.

What challenges did you face during its production and how has the community's feedback been overall?

Jonny: When you look at Valorant music through the lens of constant evolution, that concept inherently brings challenges—especially within the anthem space. With four years of anthems under our belts, there are certain expectations that players have come to hold. The biggest challenge is how to continuously evolve and deliver anthems that surprise and delight players while still offering something that feels nostalgic and familiar, reflecting how our community has come to feel about Valorant Champions.

While creating “Superpower,” we had to consider what an anthem means to us and our players and how we can deliver the best one possible. I hope we never stop asking ourselves that existential question. As far as the community’s feedback goes, it has been extremely positive. It seems that "Superpower" really resonated with players and perfectly captured the spirit of Champions this year.

Which is your personal favorite Champions Anthem of all?

Jonny: This is a really tough one to answer because I hold all the anthems in such high regard. Each one tells a different story and represents a unique moment in Valorant history that is special to the entire community. Honestly, I couldn’t choose a favorite—they each have their own place in my heart! I would also like to ask about Champions, which has been pretty unpredictable.

Riot's collaboration with Zedd on the Spectrum bundle was a hit, thanks to the awesome music. Can we expect any future collaborations with other artists for upcoming bundles?

Jonny: I can’t really speak to future bundles, but what I can say is that music is an incredible driving force within Valorant. It’s deeply involved in everything we do—from the creative process to the final execution. Music inspires us, guides us, and connects us with our players in powerful ways. We’re always looking for opportunities to lean even further into the music, so stay tuned.

Thank you Jonny Altepeter for taking the time to share amazing details about Superpower with me!