The composers & musicians that shaped fighting games
I've grown to love fighting games, but not only do I appreciate the many voice actors that gave life to our favorite characters, I also like to praise the composers, musicians, and songwriters who made absolutely killer soundtracks for these games. Because of this, here are a few of the many people who worked on many fighting game soundtracks. Just remember: their music albums come with a free video game.
I won't be including Daniel Lindholm, one of the co-composers for Street Fighter V, on account of being fired and blacklisted Capcom for making a personal statement that almost shot down Fei Long's chances of being in future Street Fighter installments. The composers of Skullgirls have been removed due to the game being changed by a large censorship patch that was extremely controversial with fans.
A few musicians that I'd like to include here since they lack IMDb pages:
AISHA (Vocalist of "The Disaster of Passion" (May's theme), "Love the Subhuman Self" (Millia Rage's theme), "Perfection Can't Please Me" (Jack-O’'s theme) and "The Town Inside Me" (Bridget's theme) from Guilty Gear: –STRIVE–)
Christopher de Leon (Vocalist of "Herald of Gargos" (Shadow Jago/Omen's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))
Black Tide (Defunct metalcore band behind "Honest Eyes", the cinematic intro theme of Street Fighter X Tekken)
EXILE (Japanese boy band behind "THE NEXT DOOR ~INDESTRUCTIBLE~", the cinematic intro theme of Street Fighter IV)
Randy Marx & Rocco808 (Rappers of "Not on the Sidelines", the main theme of Street Fighter 6)
Raon Lee (Vocalist of "Primal Wonder", the main theme of DNF Duel)
I won't be including Daniel Lindholm, one of the co-composers for Street Fighter V, on account of being fired and blacklisted Capcom for making a personal statement that almost shot down Fei Long's chances of being in future Street Fighter installments. The composers of Skullgirls have been removed due to the game being changed by a large censorship patch that was extremely controversial with fans.
A few musicians that I'd like to include here since they lack IMDb pages:
AISHA (Vocalist of "The Disaster of Passion" (May's theme), "Love the Subhuman Self" (Millia Rage's theme), "Perfection Can't Please Me" (Jack-O’'s theme) and "The Town Inside Me" (Bridget's theme) from Guilty Gear: –STRIVE–)
Christopher de Leon (Vocalist of "Herald of Gargos" (Shadow Jago/Omen's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))
Black Tide (Defunct metalcore band behind "Honest Eyes", the cinematic intro theme of Street Fighter X Tekken)
EXILE (Japanese boy band behind "THE NEXT DOOR ~INDESTRUCTIBLE~", the cinematic intro theme of Street Fighter IV)
Randy Marx & Rocco808 (Rappers of "Not on the Sidelines", the main theme of Street Fighter 6)
Raon Lee (Vocalist of "Primal Wonder", the main theme of DNF Duel)
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- Actress
- Sound Department
- Additional Crew
Abby Trott is an American voice actress. A native of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Trott originally began her career in Japan as a puppeteer, before she ultimately moved back to the United States to begin a career in voice acting. She is most notable for her roles various English dubs of Japanese anime and video games, including Nezuko Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019), Annette in Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019), and Tae Takemi in Persona 5 Royal (2019). Trott also additionally voiced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character April O'Neil in the Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl series, Dawn Betterman in later seasons of The Croods: Family Tree (2021) (replacing Kelly Marie Tran, who first voiced the character in The Croods: A New Age (2020) and reprised the role for the series' first four seasons), and Wonder Woman in MultiVersus (2022), in addition to performing the English version of "Lifelight" in international versions of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018).Vocalist of "Lifelight" (Main theme of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)- Actress
- Composer
- Music Department
Elspeth Eastman was born on 14 July 1989 in Indiana, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for Gamera: Rebirth (2023), Command & Conquer: Mental Omega (2016) and League of Legends (2009).Backing vocalist of "Ballet of Death" (Sadira's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))- Music Artist
- Actor
- Writer
Tramar Lacel Dillard, known professionally as Flo Rida, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and composer from Carol City, Florida. His 2008 breakout single "Low" was number one for 10 weeks in the United States and broke the record for digital download sales at the time of its release. Flo Rida's debut studio album, 2008's Mail on Sunday, reached number four in the US. The album was succeeded by R.O.O.T.S., the next year. His subsequent albums, 2010's Only One Flo (Part 1) and 2012's Wild Ones, also charted on the US Billboard 200 chart. Flo Rida has sold over 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists. His catalog includes the international hit singles "Right Round", "Club Can't Handle Me", "Good Feeling", "Wild Ones", "Whistle", "I Cry", "G.D.F.R.", and "My House".
Flo Rida's debut album, Mail on Sunday, was released in March 2008. The first single was "Low", featuring T-Pain, which was also included in the soundtrack to the movie Step Up 2: The Streets. "Low" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Elevator", featuring Timbaland, "In the Ayer" featuring will.i.am, and "Roll" featuring Sean Kingston followed, and both charted on the Hot 100 and other charts.
In addition to T-Pain, there were many featured guests throughout Mail on Sunday. Timbaland, who produced the second single "Elevator", is also featured on the track. Rick Ross, and Trey Songz made appearances as well. Lil Wayne appeared on the track "American Superstar", while Sean Kingston appeared on the J. R. Rotem-produced "Roll", which was co-written by Compton rapper Spitfiya. Various other guests include Birdman, Brisco, and Yung Joc.
"Money Right", featuring Brisco and Rick Ross, was scheduled to be the fourth single, but this was canceled due to the upcoming release of Flo Rida's second studio album, R.O.O.T.S. His second collaboration with T-Pain, "I Bet", as well as his collaboration with Trina, named "Bout It", both did not make the final track list, but were recorded.
After the success of Mail on Sunday, Flo Rida made guest performances on other R&B, rap, and pop singles, including "Move Shake Drop" by DJ Laz, "We Break the Dawn" by Michelle Williams, the remix of "4 Minutes" by Madonna, "Running Back" by Australian R&B singer Jessica Mauboy, "Feel It" by DJ Felli Fel, and the remix of "Speedin'" by Rick Ross. During the summer of 2008, he did live performances on the Fox dance competition program So You Think You Can Dance in the US and 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards in Canada. He appeared on the albums We Global by DJ Khaled, Gutta by Ace Hood, and The Fame by Lady Gaga, among others.
Flo Rida began recording his second album, R.O.O.T.S., 9 months after Mail On Sunday. The album was released on March 31, 2009. The first single, "Right Round" featuring Ke$ha, was released for airplay in January 2009. "Right Round" jumped from number 58 to the top spot in one week in late February. The song broke a record for the most digital one week sales in the US, with 636,000, beating the previous record he had set himself with "Low". "Right Round" sampled "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", a 1985 hit by Dead or Alive. The second official single was "Sugar", which featured R&B singer Wynter Gordon. The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Jump", featuring singer Nelly Furtado, was the third official single and was released on July 27, 2009 in the UK, and July 28, 2009 worldwide. "Be on You", featuring singer Ne-Yo, was the album's fourth official single, released on October 6, 2009. Both songs charted in the top 100 in various countries. "Available", featuring Akon, was going to be released on iTunes but was cancelled. It charted at number 120 in Ireland. A music video was also shot in mid-2009. R.O.O.T.S. debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 55,000 copies in its first week. As of August, 2009, the album has sold 223,000 copies in the United States, and 536,000 worldwide. By the end of 2009, the album sold 247,000 copies in the US, becoming the eighth best selling rap album of 2009. Flo Rida made guest performances on "Feel It" by DJ Felli Fel, "Starstruck" by Lady Gaga, and "Feel It" by Three 6 Mafia. "Bad Boys", the first single by winner of British reality show The X Factor Alexandra Burke that featured Flo Rida, debuted at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in October.
Flo Rida's third album Only One Flo (Part 1) was released on November 24, 2010. In March 2010, Flo Rida announced on Twitter that the album would be titled The Only One. Billboard reported that The Only One was to be a double album. A promo single, titled "Zoosk Girl", which features T-Pain, was released on the internet, though the song is not featured on the album, the single does have its own music video. On June 28, 2010, Flo Rida released the song "Club Can't Handle Me" featuring David Guetta, which was stated to be the official first single for the album. The song was also featured in the Step Up 3D soundtrack. On November 2, 2010, "Come with Me" was released as the first promo single for the album, along with "Puzzle", produced, and featuring by Electrixx, which is not featured on the album. On November 16, 2010, "Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)" was released as the second official promo single for the album via the iTunes Store. It debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number thirty-four on November 29, 2010. After the release of the album in the UK, "Who Dat Girl" started to receive a strong amount of downloads, thus causing it to debut at number 136 on the UK Singles Chart and chart at a current peak of number thirty-one on the UK R&B Chart. "Why You Up In Here" was released as the fourth single, and third promo single, on May 11, 2011. The song features Ludacris, Gucci Mane, and Git Fresh. Flo Rida also made guest appearances on "iYiYi", a song by Australian teen singer Cody Simpson, and on the song "Out My Video" by Bulgarian singer LiLana. Flo Rida collaborated with UK girl group The Saturdays, recording a new version of their single, "Higher". In December 2010, Flo Rida created his own label, International Music Group, inspired by Nicki Minaj's signing with Lil Wayne's. He has signed an 18-year-old rapper, Brianna and Git Fresh to International.
On December 16, 2016, Flo Rida's track "Cake" featuring bay area rap duo 99 Percent was included in Atlantic's "This Is a Challenge" dance compilation and later sent to top 40 radio February 28, 2017 as his new single. In July, 2017, he declared in an interview that his fifth album is still in the works and that it's 70 percent finished. On November 17, 2017, Flo Rida released another single "Hola" featuring Colombian singer/songwriter Maluma. On March 2, 2018, Flo Rida released a new single titled "Dancer".Featured artist in EXILE's "THE NEXT DOOR ~INDESTRUCTIBLE~" (Cinematic intro theme of Street Fighter IV)- Composer
- Sound Department
- Music Department
Jesse Zuretti is an independent AAA Music Composer currently working on Riot Games upcoming game Project L. He is most known for his Award-Winning work with Marvel, including on the animated series "Today in Marvel History". Jesse is also a guitarist and orchestra composer for Metal Blade Records band Daath (formerly signed to Roadrunner Records, Century Media). Aside from working as a AAA game and film composer, he also provides cinematic production for bands and producers, like Monuments, Brand of Sacrifice, Intervals, Amorphis, Jens Bogren, and Dave Otero. Jesse works closely with Sleep Token and Loathe producer George Lever.
Jesse was born in New Jersey to mother Kathleen Bartholomew (daughter of child actor Freddie Bartholomew), and father Stephen Zuretti (a retired member of New Jersey law enforcement). Jesse was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a young child, later moving to Tampa, Florida as a early teenager. In 2002, Jesse returned home to New Jersey where he formed his band, Binary Code. In 2018, he was asked to voice his favorite Marvel character, Galactus, for a stop-motion short by director Alex Kropinak, titled "Cooking with Galactus" for 2018 Earth Day.Co-composer of 2XKO soundtrack- Music Department
- Composer
- Producer
Klayton, the multifaceted producer behind Celldweller, not only creates artist albums that have garnered an intense cult following, but is well known in the media industry for his music appearing in hundreds of major Film / TV & Video Games.
When not creating music as Celldweller, Circle of Dust, or his new-retro cyberpunk project Scandroid - Klayton exercises an entrepreneurial spirit, owning and operating the forward thinking independent record label FiXT (serving a global collective of world-class hybrid electronic artists), the production music imprint label Subterra Records, a sci-fi inspired clothing line Outland Industries, and a Pro Audio software / hardware company Refractor Audio.
When not creating music as Celldweller, Circle of Dust, or his synthwave project Scandroid - Klayton exercises an entrepreneurial spirit, owning and operating the forward thinking independent record label FiXT, the production music imprint label Subterra Records, a sci-fi inspired clothing line Outland Industries, and a Pro Audio company Refractor Audio.Co-composer of Killer Instinct (2013) soundtrack (Season 3; in tandem with Atlas Plug; credited as Celldweller)- Molly Daisy Scarpine is a born and raised in Southern California gal. After gaining an education in the performing arts, she focused on songwriting and extreme vocals excelling in a punk rock & extreme music. In 2013, performing with a band helped land her land a position as voice talent working with renowned Sound Designer Jeff Darby & game developers at Sony Playstation creating a prototype that would later become Days Gone. Merging acting and a talent for extreme vocals, she began to make a name for herself in a niche category for video game acting; creature acting. Now, she is not only revered as a Professional in the industry doing extreme vocals but also Voice Actor & Performance Capture Artist for AAA production. Her list of credits on IMDB continues to grow including more clients, Signatories and popular Game Studios: Sony, Capcom, Bethesda, Amazon Games, Behaviour Interactive + indie game studio Zoink! (and more TBA). Molly is vocalist for several musical projects including Los Angeles based death metal band Hyper Psychic and CEO/Lead Coordinator of of an elite group of Artists known as Scream Team LAVocalist of "Extras" (Elphelt Valentine's theme from Guilty Gear: –STRIVE–)
- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Wilbert Roget II is known for Call of Duty: WWII (2017), Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014).Main composer of Mortal Kombat series (MK11 onwards)- Actress
- Additional Crew
AmaLee was born on 13 March 1992 in the USA. She is an actress, known for Death Battle (2010), Shattered Heaven (2013) and My Dress-Up Darling (2022).Vocalist of "Let it all Burn" (Main theme of Phantom Breaker: Omnia)- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Ali Edwards is known for Killer Instinct (2013).Vocalist of "Touch Me and I'll Break Your Face" (Orchid's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))
(Fun fact: Casey Edwards' wife, vocalist of Devil May Cry 5's "Devil Trigger")- Sound Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Atsushi Kitajoh is known for Persona 3 Reload (2024), Persona 5 Royal (2019) and Persona 3 FES (2007).Composer of Persona 4: Arena and Persona 4 Arena: Ultimax- Actor
- Soundtrack
Blumio is known for Blumio feat. Zemine: Rosenkrieg (2009), Blumio: Die Welt ist... (2010) and Blumio: Uniqlo (2017).Rapper of "König oder Feigling" (Ed's theme from Street Fighter 6)- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Additional programmer of Killer Instinct (2013) soundtrack
Composer of Cage Mansion theme (from Mortal Kombat 1)
Co-composer of 2XKO soundtrack
(Fun fact: Husband of Ali Edwards, and composer of Devil May Cry 5's "Bury the Light")- Composer
- Animation Department
- Additional Crew
Daisuke Ishiwatari was born on 14 August 1973 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a composer, known for Guilty Gear: Strive (2021), Hard Corps: Uprising (2011) and Guilty Gear 2: Overture (2007).Composer of Guilty Gear & BlazBlue soundtracks- Music Department
- Composer
- Actress
Vocalist of "Weight of the World" (2B's theme in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising)- Actress
- Producer
Erika Mariko Olsen is known for Tinker Steampunk (2014), My Very Own British Invasion (2019) and Mixed Feelings (2012).Vocalist of "Village of Whispers" (Hisako's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))- Composer
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Hideyuki Fukasawa is known for Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu (2017), Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] (2014) and Tsukihime (2021).Composer of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 soundtrack
Composed Akuma's theme from Street Fighter V- Music Artist
- Composer
- Actor
Hollywood Undead is known for Highway to Havasu (2017), Hollywood Undead: Been to Hell (2011) and Hollywood Undead: We Are (2012).Rap metal band behind "My Town" (Comic-Con 2011 Gameplay Trailer theme of Street Fighter X Tekken)- Composer
- Music Department
Main guitarist of "Inferno" (Cinder's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))
(Also known on YouTube as LittleVMills)- Actor
- Sound Department
- Composer
Jamison Boaz is known for Division III: Football's Finest (2011), Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) and Astral Chain (2019).Backing vocalist of "Love the Subhuman Self" (Millia's theme from Guilty Gear: -STRIVE-)- Music Department
- Composer
- Sound Department
Pescetto began his career as a member of a band called "Royale Five" in his native Baltimore area. After he moved to Los Angeles, his career flourished a lot. He worked on stage with Jack Wagner, but is best remembered as a vocalist of the intro of Disney's DuckTales (1987). Most of his career was spent in the studio. He also played on a lot of albums by a lot of different artists. Pescetto resides in Encino.Vocalist of "Sparking" (Opening theme of Tekken 5)- Sound Department
- Composer
- Music Department
Junichi Nakatsuru is known for Scarlet Nexus (2021), Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (2004) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018).Composer of Soulcalibur VI soundtrack- Composer
- Sound Department
- Music Department
Junya Nakano was born on 28 February 1971 in Kyoto, Japan. He is a composer, known for Project Sylpheed (2006), Final Fantasy XIII (2009) and Final Fantasy X (2001).Co-composer of Street Fighter V soundtrack (Kolin's theme)- Kare 'Whitetail' Wade is known for Them's Fightin' Herds (2018).Sole composer of Them's Fightin' Herds soundtrack (post-Stronghoof update onwards)
- Composer
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Keiki Kobayashi is known for Tekken 6 (2007), Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (2004) and Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War (2006).Co-composer of Street Fighter V soundtrack (Alex, Blanka, Falke, & Gill's themes to name a few)- Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
Masahiro Aoki is known for Astral Chain (2019), No Straight Roads (2020) and Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (2010).Co-composer of Street Fighter V soundtrack (Guile, Ibuki, & Kage's themes to name a few)- Actor
- Composer
- Writer
Featured artist on many EVO songs
Main vocalist of "Rise" (End credits theme song of Mortal Kombat 11)
Featured artist on "Second Chance" (End credits theme song of Mortal Kombat 1)- Composer
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Mick Gordon was born on 9 July 1985 in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. He is a composer, known for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (2017), Postal (2007) and Doom Eternal (2020).Conposer of Killer Instinct (2013) soundtrack (Seasons 1 & 2)- Vocalist for most Guilty Gear songs (most notably "Heavy Day" from Xrd and "Smell of the Game" from –STRIVE–)
- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Vocalist of "I'm Back to Rise!" (TJ Combo's theme from Killer Instinct (2013))- Composer of Under Night In-Birth soundtrack
- Composer
- Sound Department
- Music Department
Rio Hamamoto is known for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), Tekken 7 (2015) and Urban Reign (2005).Co-composer of Tekken series soundtracks- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Music Department
Robbie is a Los Angeles based vocalist and recording artist whose voice can be heard on numerous films, television shows, hit records and national jingles. Robbie has recorded and performed with iconic artists such as: Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Clint Black, Sheena Easton, Rick Springfield, Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), Michael McDonald, Jackson Browne and Greg Rolie (Journey, Santana.) A native of Michigan, Robbie's passion for music led him to Los Angeles in the early 80's, where his reputation steadily grew. Ranging from Rock & Roll, Soul and R&B to Pop, Jazz and classic Big Band, Robbie has earned the reputation of a vocal chameleon. He is widely regarded as the top session vocalist in LA. In early 2010, Robbie was asked by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd to join "The Wall" tour. As the lead singer, Robbie lends his vocals to the parts originally sung by David Gilmore. The North American tour began in Toronto, September 2010, followed by a European tour in 2011. Film and Television projects include vocals on the movie "Shrek", the animated Disney TV series "Phineas & Ferb," "The Emperor's New Skool," "The Replacements", and appearances on "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Yes Dear," and "7th Heaven." Robbie currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Victoria.Vocalist of "My Last Stand" (Opening theme of Tekken 8)- Music Department
- Composer
Stephen McNair is known for The King of Fighters XIV (2016), My Hero Academia (2016) and Street Fighter V (2016).Composer of soundtracks to The King of Fighters XIV & XV
Composed Sagat's theme from Street Fighter V
Vocalist of "Now or Never" (Main theme of The King of Fighters XV)- Stuart Ferguson is known for Them's Fightin' Herds (2018).Co-composer of Them's Fightin' Herds soundtrack (In tandem with Whitetail; pre-Stronghoof update)
- Composer
- Music Department
- Additional Crew
Taku Inoue is known for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), Tekken 7 (2015) and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (2011).Co-composer of Tekken series soundtracks- Composer
- Music Department
- Producer
Tom Salta is known for Deathloop (2021), Killer Instinct (2013) and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (2006).Co-composer of Killer Instinct (2013) soundtrack (Season 3 soundtrack; in tandem with Celldweller; credited as Atlas Plug)- Music Department
- Sound Department
Co-composer of 2XKO soundtrack (Character select theme)- Composer
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Yôko Shimomura was born on 19 October 1967 in Hyogo, Japan. She is a composer, known for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope (2022) and Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016).Composer of Street Fighter II soundtrack- Composer
- Music Department
Yoshiya Terayama is known for Street Fighter 6 (2023), Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition (2020) and Devil May Cry 5 (2019).Composer of Street Fighter 6 soundtrack- Actor
- Music Department
- Additional Crew
Composer of many EVO songs (such as "Evolve" and "Evolve: Infinity", the theme songs of EVO 2011 & 2022 respectively, and "Runback City", the intro theme to EVO 2023's Street Fighter 6 tourney)
Featured artist on "Second Chance" (End credits theme song of Mortal Kombat 1)- Composer
- Actor
- Writer
Composer of "Fatal" (Gameplay trailer theme of Mortal Kombat 1)