[HOST] There are few video games with the sheer impact of Rockstar's 'Grand Theft Auto.'
The scope, destruction and storytelling are unparalleled - and key to that immersion are
it's radio stations.
[HOST] Whether in a helicopter above Vice City or crossing the East Borough bridge in Liberty
city, there are dozens of stations to listen along the way.
With its packed discography and eccentric hosts like Lazlow Jones and celebrity appearances
from the likes of Frank Ocean and Flying Lotus, radio stations have been in the game's DNA
since the very beginning.
[HOST] According to former Rockstar music employee Colin Anderson, GTA’s earliest iterations
featured entirely original music.
Colin: The core of that music radio station thinking is that we should only have artists
that are not real because the minute you bring artists into that space it’s not a parallel
world anymore.
[HOST] Early highlights include the hip-hop station N-CT FM from 1997’s GTA 1 on PC...
...Lo-Fi FM from 1999’s GTA 2 which played funk and soul...
...and 2001’s GTA III, then the biggest evolution of the series, included legendary
New York DJs, Stretch Armstrong and Lord Sear hosting Game Radio FM.
[HOST] But it was the ‘80s backdrop of 2002’s ‘GTA Vice City’ that had the most impact
in setting the tone for what to expect from GTA Radio.
IVAN: The Flock of Seagulls TV commercial was probably just a cultural moment.
Using such a popular song to promote a video game was a turning point, I think, in a lot
[HOST] That’s Ivan Pavolovich, Director of Music at Rockstar Games.
He spoke with Genius to break down the ins and outs of GTA Radio.
While Ivan did not have a hand in Vice City he maintains that it was a touchstone in gaming.
IVAN: Vice City was the next evolution in using this concept of radio stations, branding
the stations, getting DJs to host the stations, and using popular music.
[HOST] The aforementioned A Flock of Seagulls 1982 synth-pop hit, “I Ran” is one of
the many 80’s classics spread across Vice City’s 10 radio stations.
A fan favorite on the dial was FlashFM...
DJ: If nobody understands you WE Do.
FlashFM, music for the ME generation.
[HOST] ...which had tunes from Michael Jackson, Hall & Oates, and The Buggles’ foreshadowing
hit, “Video Killed The Radio Star.”
[HOST] And Wildstyle hosted by the legendary late Bronx DJ, Mr. Magic.
Mr. Magic: Put the tape recorders on pause.
Change the tapes in the boxes.
Super rock and Mr. Magic holding it down with nonstop rap music, keep it right it’s Vice
City on Pirate Radio.
[HOST] Ivan tells us that getting the music right is the best way to guarantee immersion
in the game.
IVAN: The radio sets the mood for Grand Theft Auto.
[HOST] 2004’s Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, set in 1992, had 12 stations with its standout
being Radio Los Santos’ hosted by LA DJ Julio G and its tunes from 2Pac & N.W.A - even
adding a touch of reality, pointing to the groups infamous beef with Ice Cube which culminated
in 1991’s “No Vaseline.”
DJ Julio G: N.W.A you can’t miss that right there.
Them guys are definitely back in the game doing it without Ice Cube but still sounding
good.
ThaT’S A brilliant record I love that group right there man.
Let’s get into some more hitting you with that West Coast music.
Radio Los Santos.
Let’s get into it.
[HOST] But Ivan’s influence would truly be felt in 2008’s GTA IV - which went back
to GTA III’s LIberty City.
Ivan: It was the first time that we had started doing mixes in the game.
DJ Premier did a DJ mix for a station and that was different than all the dynamic radio stations we did in the past.
DJ Premier: O yea it’s on.
Welcome to LFHQ live from Headquarters.
This is DJ premiere holding it down for the motherfucking Liberty City.
[HOST] By the time of 2013’s GTA V, Rockstar knew they had a commodity and upped the ante
by giving it a full score.
Ivan: So the score for GTA V, we worked with Tangerine Dream, Alchemist, and Oh No, and
Woody Jackson.
The Alchemist: In the beginning we approached it, the score like we were gonna make beats
like we always do.
We came across the scenarios in front of us which made us more creative, let’s make
something from scratch and create something original.
[HOST] They also gave artists their own personal stations like LA’s Flying Lotus called FLyLo
FM.
Flying Lotus: Yo, you’re tuned in to FlyLo FM.
Coming to you live and direct from the lab.
We send our pirate signal straight out to you, the beautiful listeners out there.
From the underground to the mothership we bless that ass with cosmic energy baby!
Ivan: And his station, even his VO is incredible.
He's played Grand Theft Auto since he was a kid, so he grew up on it.
And I think that he has just such a good feel for it.
[HOST] Original music was created - but not by Rockstar in the early titles - this time,
A$AP Rocky, Tyler, The Creator and many others gave fresh tracks to the game.
IVAN: Tyler, the Creator grew up playing Grand Theft Auto.
He discovered music in it.
And now it's come full circle where he's doing original music for the game.
[HOST] Tyler even voices an NPC in the game.
Tyler: O, you want me to beat yo ass, huh?
[HOST] Since GTA V’s release, Rockstar has been hard at work issuing a number of updates
focused on music.
In 2019 they tapped Danny Brown & Skepta to host iFruit Radio...
LADY: Getting you the heat from the streets of London.
It’s Danny Brown and Skepta.
Danny:Can we just talk about the healing powers of psychedelics?
Skep, I know you could speak to this.
Skepta:Hey man, my last album I produced the whole thing tripping.
[HOST] And in December 2020 with The Cayo Perico Heist that featured more than 200 new
songs, new radio stations and even an appearance from Dr. Dre, Jimmie Iovine and DJ Pooh.
Jimmy: aw, c’mon Dre who the fuck are these people.
Dre: Don’t worry about it, calm down.
Jimmy: okay, but I hope you brought the music.
Tell me you brought the music.
Dre: Look, the music is in my phone.
In my car.
In your house.
DJ: Somebody’s slippin!
[HOST] Grand Theft Auto guarantees immersive anarchy unlike many other video games and
its radio stations are the perfect soundtrack to the chaos.
I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News,bringing you the meaning and the knowledge behind the
music.
Peace.