While everyone’s obsessing over GTA 6’s visuals and story, there’s one crucial piece no one’s talking about—its massive, meticulously crafted soundtrack. Without hundreds of carefully selected songs, the experience would be far less immersive and far less fun.

When you think of Grand Theft Auto, iconic moments like the “Ah shit, here we go again” line from San Andreas or that chaotic tow truck sequence with Michael’s son in GTA V probably come to mind. But if we zoom in on sound, it’s the unforgettable tunes that stand out—like La vida es una lenteja playing on Radio Espantoso, or the looping madness of El sonidito on East Los FM.

Music has always been a cornerstone of Rockstar’s games—especially GTA. That’s why the choice to feature Tom Petty’s “Love is a Long Road” in the GTA 6 trailer sparked so much buzz. In Rockstar’s open worlds, music doesn’t just accompany the action—it defines it. It shapes how we connect to the cityscapes and the stories they tell.

So much of GTA is spent driving, radio on, cruising through painstakingly recreated American cities. And while other games might drop in music for set-piece moments, GTA’s most powerful audio memories come from aimless drives through Vice City, Liberty City, or Los Santos while your favorite track blasts in the background. It’s player-driven, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

CircoLoco Records closed the circle

In October 2019, a pivotal meeting took place between Antonio Carbonaro, the driving force behind Ibiza’s legendary CircoLoco parties at DC10, and Sam Houser, Rockstar’s co-founder and current president. Together, they hatched the idea of launching a music label that would reflect both of their visions.

The pandemic only accelerated things. By May 2021, CircoLoco Records was officially born. Artists associated with Carbonaro had already been featured in GTA Online, but now original remixes—like those from resident DJ Seth Troxler—started appearing. Since launch, the label has dropped over 20 releases and continues to expand its influence.

Speaking to Billboard in June 2021, Carbonaro said Rockstar had people who “hear things like we do,” adding that their two brands came together to prove that something truly exciting could be built. Thanks to CircoLoco Records, GTA 6’s electronic music catalog is already shaping up to be next-level.

And when it comes to the rest of the soundtrack, Rockstar isn’t cutting corners. The inclusion of Tom Petty’s song already suggests that iconic classics will be front and center. Latin music, too, looks set to have a strong presence—especially after the 2021 introduction of the Motomami radio station in the The Contract update, hosted by Rosalía.

Just a few months ago, reports revealed Rockstar offered Martyn Ware, co-founder of British band Heaven 17, $7,500 for rights to their 1983 song Temptation—a track also featured in the film Trainspotting. The same amount was offered to the other two writers, totaling $22,500. The offer was rejected, however, with critics noting that GTA V pulled in $8.6 billion and the sum offered was laughable by comparison.

When you do the math—thousands or even tens of thousands per song, multiplied by hundreds of tracks—it’s clear that Rockstar is spending millions just on licensing music for GTA 6. But it makes sense. A soundtrack like this doesn’t just create mood—it transforms how players experience the world, turning long sessions into unforgettable journeys.

Source: 3djuegos