Grand Theft Auto V is so far proving to be the most exciting installation of the iconic video game series, and the in-game music surely wont be an exception. The game will feature 17 radio stations and, for the first time, a full score, all with the intention of emulating the sounds of Los Angeles.
The popular game franchise’s newest heist adventure takes gamers back to the streets of fictional Los Angeles town, Los Santos. To mark the return to San Andreas, and as Rolling Stone reports, “Its virtual world is the biggest to date for the game series, and all that drive time demands quite a bit of music.” Therefore, GTA V has brought aboard several iconic L.A. artists to participate in the radio stations and musical score.
The score is the largest to be created by Rockstar Games, to match with the largest virtual world to date for Grand Theft Auto, featuring a stellar triangle of talent: Tangerine Dream’s Edgar Froese, who has worked with Rockstar Games before; adding to his stellar reputation is Woody Jackson, the musical mind behind the scores of Red Dead Redemption and a portion of L.A. Noir; and also featuring Alchemist and Oh No.
Says Rockstar Game’s soundtrack supervisor, Ivan Pavlovich to Rolling Stone,
For this game, which is set in our version of modern day Los Angeles, what was important for us was to capture that feeling of L.A. and California. We approached the radio stations as the musical soundscape [you experience] as you fly into L.A. One of the things we’ve never done in a GTA game before is a pop station; exploring that made so much sense in the context of L.A.
There is a modern rock station, claiming to be the “embodiment of the young Los Angeles rock scene,” featuring Stephen Pope and Nate Williams from Wavves who, incidentally have recently released a new music video and are currently touring. Listen to the Vinewood Blvd Radio Station preview here
True to the L.A. culture, “East LOS FM” station is all Mexican electronica, Mexican ska, and other traditional Mexican music mixed by Camilo [Lara] from the Mexican Institute of Sound. Listen to the East LOS FM Radio Station preview here
One of the more exciting stations for Pavlovich is the “West Coast Classics” featuring DJ Pooh, who has grown up with legendary artists like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, and aims to recapture and build on the classics from previous GTA games. Listen to the West Coast Classics Radio Station preview here
The final sample station as revealed by Pavlovich and Rolling Stone is being brought to life by Jesco White from The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, a documentary brought to us by the mischievous minds behind the Jackass franchise, Jeff Tremaine and Johnny Knoxville. The station is called “Rebel Radio,” and if one takes the time to watch The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, it is obvious why Jesco White was chosen to lead the charge on this particular GTA station. Listen to the Rebel Radio Station Preview here
One last station preview which has been getting slightly more buzz than others is called “FLyLo FM,” and is hosted and mixed by Flying Lotus.
Photo Credit: Marv Watson
The station features not only Flying Lotus, but also his alter-ego, rapper Captain Murphy, as well as Tyler, the Creator, Thundercat, Clams Casino, Hudson Mohawke, Aphex Twin, and Outkast, among others.
Listen to the FlyLo FM Radio Station preview via Pitchfork.
FlyLo FM Tracklist:
Flying Lotus feat. Niki Randa – “Getting There”
Clams Casino – “Crystals”
Flying Lotus – “Crosswerved”
Flying Lotus – “Be Spin”
Flying Lotus – “See Thru to U”
Flying Lotus – “The Diddler”
Flying Lotus – “Computer Face Rmx”
Hudson Mohawke – “100hm”
Flying Lotus feat. Niki Randa – “The Kill”
Tyler, the Creator – “Garbage”
Outkast – “Elevators (Me & You)”
Captain Murphy – “Evil Grin”
Flying Lotus – “Catapult Man”
Dabrye – “Encoded Flow”
Machinedrum – “She Died There”
DJ Rashad – “It’s Wack”
Thundercat – “Oh Sheit It’s X”
Flying Lotus – “Stonecutters”
Shadow Child – “23”
Kingdom – “Stalker Ha”
Aphex Twin – “Windowlicker”
Pavlovich also had this to say regarding the final product:
Pam is the host of a soul station, focusing a little bit on low rider classics. Bootsy Collins is the host of an Eighties boogie-funk station, and Kenny Loggins is the host of our classic rock station. So each of them, in terms of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, plays a large role….For me, this is the most exciting soundtrack we’ve done, in terms of who’s hosting and the music on the actual radio stations. This is our biggest accomplishment.
GTA V hits shelves on September 17th, and will be available for PS3 and Xbox 360.
Leave a Comment