Rockstar is doing that thing again where the soundtrack does half the world-building for them.

The original Vice City was a pure 1980s time capsule. Synth-heavy new wave, soft rock ballads, hair metal on V-Rock, and enough neon cheese to power a whole decade. It worked because the whole game was a love letter to that exact era.

GTA 6 is set in modern Leonida, so the radio had to evolve. From the trailers, the Extended Look, and the various leaks, the picture is clear: they’re keeping some of that classic flavor while stacking it with current South Florida energy.

Confirmed and spotted tracks so far bounce all over the map. You’ve got Tom Petty, The Pointer Sisters, Wang Chung, Captain & Tennille, Prefab Sprout, Depeche Mode, Phil Collins, and Def Leppard representing the older catalog. Then the modern side shows up hard with Birdman & Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red, Kodak Black, Chimbala & Omega, and a bunch of electronic and pop cuts. Country and classical even sneak in.

Radio stations that have been spotted or strongly hinted at include returning names like V-Rock and Emotion 98.3, plus new ones such as CircoLoco Records Radio, Dirty South Classics, Cocoteo FM, Back Country Radio, Stockyard FM, La Ola, and others. The mix already feels like actual Miami radio if Miami radio had a bigger budget and better taste.

This is the smart evolution. Keep the nostalgic DNA that made the original Vice City special, then layer on the Latin, hip-hop, and club sounds that actually play in that part of the world right now. It’s not trying to pretend it’s still 1986. It’s showing what the city sounds like in 2026 while still letting you cruise to “Hot Together” when the mood hits.

KEY POINTS:

  • Classic 70s/80s tracks still heavily featured
  • Strong modern hip-hop, Latin, and electronic presence
  • V-Rock and Emotion 98.3 appear to be returning
  • New stations lean into Dirty South, club, and regional flavors
  • Soundtrack already causing massive Spotify spikes

Rockstar has always understood that the right song at the right moment makes the whole world feel alive. Early signs say the GTA 6 radio is going to be one of the best in the series.

Cope Level for people still hoping it’s pure 80s only: HIGH. The city moved on. The soundtrack did too.

— Chimi Chingon, Cutscenes FM. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go argue with the Editor.