Rockstar Games has revealed the radio stations in Grand Theft Auto VI, and the host roster is built around working musicians. Bad Bunny, Lana Del Rey, Morgan Wallen, Robyn, Burna Boy, Trick Daddy and Trina are all on it, as are Slayer's Kerry King and Tom Araya, according to Consequence, Rolling Stone and The FADER.
The game arrives Nov. 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, Consequence reported. Rockstar has set up previews of all six featured stations on its website.
Six stations, six hosting teams
Cocoteo FM is the modern Latin station, covering styles from bachata and merengue to dembow and reggaeton. Bad Bunny voices El Martillo and RaiNao voices La Gata. Sample songs include Bad Bunny's "EoO" and Romeo Santos and El Chaval de la Bachata's "Canalla."
Back Country Radio is billed as a "renegade country" outlet. Wallen voices MW and Del Rey voices Delta Dawne. Her husband, Jeremy Dufrene, plays Mud Dog Mike, a field reporter who checks in from an airboat. Rolling Stone noted that Dufrene is an airboat captain in real life. The sample songs include Loretta Lynn's "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)" and "The Conversation" by Hank Williams, Jr. and Waylon Jennings.
On AfroBank FM, Burna Boy voices Burna alongside Palms Trax as Palmsy. The station spans 20th century classics, undiscovered gems and newer sounds such as amapiano and 3-step, with Asake's "Joha" among the listed tracks.
The Chamber 106.6 is the classic metal station, with King as DJ Kerry and Araya as DJ Tom. Its sample list includes Black Sabbath, Pantera and Slayer's "Raining Blood."
Flash FM is the pop station. Robyn voices herself, and Alex Consani voices Alex. Charli xcx's "Good Ones" and MGMT's "Electric Feel" are among the songs named.
Dirty South Classics pairs Trick Daddy, as Trick, with Trina, who voices herself, for regional rap and hip-hop. The listed songs include David Banner's "Like A Pimp" featuring Lil' Flip and DJ Khaled's "Born N Raised."
Podcasts, a soundtrack album and a fan's reaction
Consequence reported that the game will also have on-demand podcasts for its protagonists, Jason and Lucia. Stations and podcasts can both be heard in vehicles, or through headphones and earbuds connected to in-game smartphones.
Rolling Stone said GTA VI will have a soundtrack album of 34 original tracks made for the game, due the same day as the game. The full track list has not been shared. The outlets differ on which artists have already released songs from it. Rolling Stone named Travis Scott, Morgan Wallen, Rauw Alejandro, Yung Lean and Keith Richards. Consequence listed Scott, Wallen, Richards, CA7RIEL & Paco and Future. The FADER said six singles have come out, including songs by Scott, Yung Lean and PinkPantheress.
Del Rey told Rolling Stone she has followed the franchise for years and said of her involvement: "On so many different levels this is super special and a privilege."
Why it matters
The roster places stars from Latin music, country, Afrobeats, metal, pop and Southern rap behind the microphone. They are credited as characters rather than only as names on a track list. With a 34-song original album also on the way, the game's music is being presented as a major part of the release. The FADER noted that the game comes 13 years after GTA V.
Reporting sources: Consequence, “Grand Theft Auto VI Radio Stations to Feature Bad Bunny, Robyn, and Lana Del Rey Alongside Her Husband” · Music News, “Bad Bunny, Lana Del Rey to Light Up the Leonida Airwaves as ‘GTA VI’ Radio Hosts” · The FADER, “Grand Theft Auto VI’s radio station hosts include Bad Bunny, Lana Del Rey, and more”.