GTA VI Is bringing back the spirit of Vice City with a legendary soundtrack
Rockstar Games is slowly revealing more details about Grand Theft Auto VI, and the latest extended gameplay presentation has given fans a much better idea of what the game’s musical atmosphere will sound like. If there was ever any doubt that music would play a major role in the return to Vice City, the newly revealed tracks have now put those doubts to rest.
The soundtrack heard in the extended presentation combines several generations of music. Classic artists such as Depeche Mode, Phil Collins and Def Leppard appear alongside contemporary names including Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and Sexyy Red. The result is a deliberately varied selection that fits both the nostalgic identity of Vice City and the modern setting of Leonida.
Depeche Mode brings back the classic Vice City feeling
One of the most recognizable songs featured in the presentation is “People Are People” by Depeche Mode. The British band is closely associated with the sound of the 1980s, making the choice particularly fitting for a game returning to the world of Vice City.
The original Grand Theft Auto: Vice City became famous for using music as a major part of its identity. Set against a fictionalized version of 1980s Miami, the game used radio stations to create an atmosphere filled with pop culture, neon lights, sports cars and crime.
GTA VI is set decades later, but Rockstar clearly understands that the connection with the original Vice City is too important to ignore. Instead of simply recreating the old soundtrack, however, the studio appears to be mixing nostalgia with contemporary music.
That approach could give the new game a very different musical identity while still reminding longtime fans of what made Vice City so memorable.
Phil Collins and Def Leppard add more nostalgia
Depeche Mode is far from the only classic act featured in the new footage. Def Leppard’s “Love Bites” also appears, bringing another recognizable 1980s rock song into the game.
Phil Collins is represented as well with “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).” His presence is particularly interesting because music from the 1980s played such an important role in the original Vice City experience.
Rockstar has also included songs from The Bellamy Brothers and Cliff Richard, demonstrating that the soundtrack is not restricted to one particular style.
At least 14 licensed songs were identified in the 26-minute extended presentation, covering genres such as hip-hop, classic rock, pop, country, Latin music, synth-pop and electronic music.
Modern Florida gets its own sound
GTA VI is not simply a trip back to the past. The game takes place in the fictional state of Leonida, with Vice City once again serving as its central location. The world is inspired by modern-day Florida, and the soundtrack reflects that change.
Contemporary artists such as Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and Sexyy Red bring a completely different energy compared with the classic tracks.
Lil Wayne and Birdman’s “Pop Bottles,” Kodak Black’s “Skrilla” and Sexyy Red and Tay Keith’s “Pound Town” were among the modern tracks featured in the extended presentation.
These artists make sense for the setting. Modern Florida and Southern hip-hop have a strong cultural connection, and their inclusion should help Rockstar create a world that feels contemporary rather than simply nostalgic.
The combination of older and newer music also reflects the way people actually listen to music. A modern radio station does not necessarily have to play only recent releases, and Rockstar has always used this contrast to make the fictional world of GTA feel more authentic.
The radio could once again become a character of its own
Music has always been one of the most memorable features of Grand Theft Auto. Players don’t simply listen to the radio while driving. Over time, individual songs become associated with specific missions, characters, locations and moments.
This is particularly important in an open-world game. Players can spend hours driving around without following the main story, and the radio provides a constantly changing soundtrack for that experience.
Rockstar has not yet revealed the complete radio lineup for GTA VI, so the songs heard in the extended presentation should not necessarily be considered a complete list of what will appear in the final game.
Still, the selection already provides a strong indication of the direction Rockstar is taking. The soundtrack is clearly not limited to one generation or genre.
GTA VI could turn old songs into new hits
There is another interesting side effect of Rockstar’s music choices. Whenever a popular song appears in a major GTA trailer or gameplay presentation, millions of people are introduced to it again.
That effect has already been seen with the music revealed for GTA VI. Streaming numbers for several songs featured in the extended presentation reportedly increased dramatically after the footage was released. Depeche Mode was among the artists benefiting from the renewed attention.
This has become an unexpected part of the GTA phenomenon. Rockstar does not simply borrow songs to make its games sound better. The company can also introduce older tracks to a completely new generation of listeners.
For some artists, appearing in Grand Theft Auto can therefore become a second life for a song that was originally released decades ago.
Rockstar appears to understand what made Vice City special
The most interesting thing about the soundtrack so far is the balance between familiarity and change.
Rockstar could have attempted to recreate the musical formula of the original Vice City almost exactly. Instead, the company seems to be using the past as a foundation while building something much more modern on top of it.
That means players may hear Depeche Mode during one drive and then switch to contemporary hip-hop a few minutes later. Another trip through Leonida could feature classic rock, Latin music or electronic tracks.
This variety is important because GTA VI will need to establish its own identity. It cannot simply live in the shadow of the 2002 classic.
The early soundtrack choices suggest that Rockstar knows this. The developers are bringing back the spirit of Vice City without trying to recreate it piece by piece.
Music could become one of GTA VI’s biggest strengths
The full soundtrack has yet to be revealed, but the music heard so far is already generating plenty of discussion among fans.
With Depeche Mode, Phil Collins, Def Leppard, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and numerous other artists, Rockstar appears to be preparing a soundtrack designed to appeal to both longtime GTA players and a younger audience.
The result could be particularly effective in an open-world game where driving is such a large part of the experience.
Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026. By the time players finally enter Leonida, Rockstar will likely have many more musical surprises waiting for them.
If the final radio lineup maintains the same level of variety, simply getting into a car and driving through Vice City may once again become one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire Grand Theft Auto experience.
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