| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/Honor Of Kings) |
Honor of Kings (HoK) and the ‘Kings of P-pop’ SB19 have officially released “BURN THE FLAME”, the fiery new theme song for the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC) 2025 — now streaming on all major music platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. As sixteen of the world’s top teams compete for pride and glory in the biggest Honor of Kings showdown currently taking place in Manila, SB19 ignites the spirit of eSports competition with a powerful hip-hop-rock fusion anthem that embodies passion, perseverance, and the thrill of battle among 16 top teams worldwide. Setting the stage ready for KIC, the anthem has now reached the #1 spot on both the Top Songs and Top Albums charts on iTunes Philippines.
Igniting The Global Arena With “BURN THE FLAME”
“BURN THE FLAME” captures the fire of competitive gaming through SB19’s signature vocal dynamics, from hard-hitting rap verses to explosive high notes. The track is elevated by authentic Filipino percussion elements such as the kulintang, seamlessly woven into modern electronic production. This unique blend bridges Philippine cultural identity with Honor of Kings’ global stage, creating an anthem that celebrates both local pride and international unity. Its lyrics, “I’m a warrior, burning burning up the flame. We are the KINGS. It’s HONOR SHOWTIME!”, embody the fearless spirit of eSports, uniting passion and pride on the world stage. This unique fusion bridges Philippine cultural identity with Honor of Kings’ global arena, creating an anthem that celebrates both local heritage and international unity. The EP features both English and Taglish versions, alongside instrumental and karaoke tracks, inviting fans everywhere to sing, play, and rise together. The music video is set to premiere soon.
The Sound Of Kings: Behind The Anthem
The anthem unites a formidable alliance of international and Filipino music talents, blending creative mastery and battle-ready spirit worthy of the Honor of Kings stage. Brenan Espartinez, Filipino singer, songwriter, and former child actor known from That’s Entertainment and Sine’skwela, led the charge on lyrics, arrangement, and vocal production, shaping SB19’s vocals into a rallying cry for every warrior rising to the challenge. His touch infused the track with raw passion and the unmistakable rhythm of Filipino pride. At the helm of the mix is Chris Galland, a four-time Grammy nominee celebrated for his work with Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, LE SSERAFIM, ATEEZ, and Stray Kids. Tasked with mixing the anthem, Galland balanced explosive beats and cultural layers to forge a sound that resonates across arenas; a fusion of power, precision, and honor. Together, this team transformed “BURN THE FLAME” into more than a theme song — it’s the anthem of champions, echoing the energy of the world’s fiercest competitors.
Rise For Honor: The Road To KIC 2025
The Honor of Kings International Championship 2025 ignites the global stage featuring representatives from PKL, MKL, and IKL, joined by two CHOKBR powerhouses and one team each from KME and KMW, will enter the arena — alongside contenders from the Last Call and Phoenix Reborn qualifiers completing the lineup. The battle kicked off with the Group Stage held last November 14–18 at Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City and is set to advance to the Knockout Stage on November 20–23. The final clashes will then take place on November 28–29 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Parañaque City, culminating in the Grand Finals on November 30, where one team will rise above all to claim the lion’s share of US$1,000,000 prize pool, an exclusive in-game skin, and the title of KIC 2025 Champion.
Credits, Forged In Honor
“BURN THE FLAME” brings together an elite roster of creative minds from around the world, combining artistry, technical mastery, and a shared passion for Honor of Kings’ spirit of competition.
Lyrics by: Kasper Larsen, SCHUBA, POPKIN, LAS, Brenan Espartinez
Composed by: Kasper Larsen, SCHUBA, POPKIN, LAS
Arranged by: Kasper Holm Larsen
Additional Arrangement: Brenan Espartinez
Produced by: KayAndMusic, POPKIN, Neil “YUNG BAWAL” Raymundo, WILDMNDS
Vocal Producer: Brenan Espartinez
Recording Engineer: Neil “YUNG BAWAL” Raymundo
Mixing Engineer: Chris Galland
Mastering Engineer: Zach Pereyra
Mix Engineer: Neil “YUNG BAWAL” Raymundo
Executive Producer: Colin Yao
Executive Directors: Thomson Ji, Konthiga Lee, Jackie Huang
Project Executives: Syndra Feng, Claire Wu, Sara Zheng, Phthalo Wu
Managing Agency: FlowAsia Events Management Inc.
Cover Art: WILDMNDS, Martin David Del Rosario
A&R: Samuel Siu @ TiMi Audio
Music Supervisors: Samuel Siu, Corey Huang, Mae Xiao @ TiMi Audio
Coordinators: Ella, Melanie, Yusa @ TiMi Audio
Distribution: Yusa @ TiMi Audio
Presented by: TiMi L1 Studio and TiMi Audio Lab
“BURN THE FLAME” by SB19, the official theme song for the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC) 2025, is ready to set your battle playlist ablaze whether you’re grinding ranked matches, gearing up for the next clash, or just feeling the fire of competition. Let the rhythm rise, the beat drop, and the flame burn — wherever you play!
