GTA San Andreas' soundtrack is awful.

[motley6]

That is the worst representation of the early 90's by music I have ever seen. There is no synth-pop ala New Order or Erasure, no silly mainstream pop like Milli Vanilli or MC Hammer, and of course no Hair Metal like Warrant or Vince Neil. Yeah L7 and Helmet got played on the radio all the time in 1992. -_- There are 6 predominately black radio stations in the game. 2 Rap, 2 R&B, and 2 Reggae. Only 2 rock stations are included and one of them is mostly rock from the 70's. I grew up in LA in the early 90's and this is not how LA radio was. K-Rock KIIS and Knac ruled the airwaves with everything from C&C Music Factory and Skid Row to Bobby Brown and U2. You'd think that since Vice City was so well done that it would be even better this time. This rap crap is realistic at first but I have to turn it off after about an hour because it starts to to grate. That hurts the game somewhat.

Also where the hell is Lazlow?????????

[-hellvin-]

Would be nice if there was a way to keep the radio off by default when entering the car...I haven't played so I don't know if that's possible. Kinda goes to show how custom soundtracks can add a lot to a game ;D.

[Sylentwulf]

I had noticed a large amount of "black music" on the soundtrack this time. I don't see why they can;t have something like SSX or Gran Turismo where you can turn off songs you don't like in the options menu.

[DigitalSpace]

Here's the full San Andreas soundtrack details, with a complete playlist of the radio stations. Courtesy of Gamespot. Notably, someone brought up in another thread that AFI's NIN cover was on the soundtrack - not surprisingly, it's nowhere to be found.

link (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/25/news_6111346.html)

[Blendo75]

All of you haters had me worried about the soundtrack but now that I see the tracklisting I'm pretty excited about it.

[kainemaxwell]

You were able to turn off the radio in VC, weren't you?
(It's been awhile since I played VC)

[jdc]

Unfortunately, the target market for Grand Theft games is kids, teens and twenty-sumthins (Rockstar KNOWS that the minors are going to fuel the frenzied sales once again).....and modern kids listen to hip hop and (c)rap.

I just keep the radio on the talk channel. It's funny although repetitious.

[Oobgarm]

Just a glance over the soundtrack listing in the other post tells me that it's a solid bunch of songs. What people don't realize is that Rockstar isn't going to cater to everyone's liking, they have to mainatin the feel of the game. The heavy rap-based soundtrack is fitting with the storyline. I'm sure there's an option where you can turn it off entirely, or just put on the classic rock or alternative station.

I'm not a huge rap fan by any means, but at least they got some of the 'good' rap in there, not the garbage they call rap these days. Even the soul and funk channels have some good stuff. James Brown? Ohio Players? Sweet.

I will say that the purported amount of swearing in the music is going to be a bit on the irritating side, though. I know they want to 'keep it real', but I think this could be one of those occasions when keeping it real goes wrong. You CAN go overboard.

[DigitalSpace]

You were able to turn off the radio in VC, weren't you?
(It's been awhile since I played VC)

Just change radio stations until you don't hear anything.

I don't have any gripes about the radio stations. Rockstar made sure there was quite a bit of variety, so imo it's all good (although like in Vice City, you'll probably have to listen to a radio station you don't care for at least once to hear all the radio ads). I'll probably be listening to the Classic Rock, alternative and talk stations the most (that West Coast Talk Radio station with Andy Dick playing a role sounds interesting).

On a side note, I have yet to get tired of VCPR in Vice City, even though I must have listened to the whole thing over a hundred times.

[kainemaxwell]

On a side note, I have yet to get tired of VCPR in Vice City, even though I must have listened to the whole thing over a hundred times.

That and KCHAT for me. ^^

[stuffedmonkey]

Holy ^&^%&^ - there is an Ultramagnetic MCs track. that rocks. Also radio los santos seems slick. I vote good soundtrack.

[Chooky]

In GTA3 and Vice City you could adjust the music volume under the Options menu. I haven't played SA, but I imagine that you could still do this.

[Flack]

Here's the full San Andreas soundtrack details, with a complete playlist of the radio stations. Courtesy of Gamespot. Notably, someone brought up in another thread that AFI's NIN cover was on the soundtrack - not surprisingly, it's nowhere to be found.

Oh, it's to be found alright -- not in the game's radio, but on my REAL radio! Are none of you hearing this on your local rock radio stations? Ours seems to be playing it hourly.

[ddockery]

I think this goes to show that regardless of what they did, somebody would bitch. Yes, there'sd a lot of "black" music, but there's plenty of other stuff too. Plus, even if you hate rap, plenty of the so-called black music is soul, r&b, funk etc. If you don't like SOMETHING from that, I'd say your limited taste in music is the real problem here. I'm looking forward to this, and I don't like rap either. That's one hell of a long soundtrack listing.

[Jive3D]

In GTA3 and Vice City you could adjust the music volume under the Options menu. I haven't played SA, but I imagine that you could still do this.

Yes you can turn the music vol down in option menu so that essentially the music would be gone.

I'm surprised at how many of you are "disapointed" with the soundtrack of this game. Yes, Vice City was the opus and I dont think that *as far as music is concerned* that they can do a better job. BUT The music in GTA:SA fits the theme and the characters very well. I for one DO LIKE the soundtrack, and I don't usually listen to a lot of '90s hip hop either.

There's plenty of good hiphop out there (maybe not in the game). Open your ears and maybe do a little music searching instead of judging hiphop or rap by what you hear on the radio, b/c that's the tip of the iceberg people.

And please don't refer the the soundtrack as "Black Music," I mean c'mon.

[Speedy]

don't have the game yet (EU, non chipped PS2 gamer here) but i dislike the soundtrack allready. I hate that cheap ass rap and i really dislike metal & co. Perhaps its indeed good for the theme (you play as black dude in a crime game, i don't think dance music would fit ;)), i just don't like it :)
My 90's where the happy hardcore tunes ... but i don't think you had that in the US (poor you ;)). There is not one single track on the playlist from what i say YES! I had that with Vice City, i loved that soundtrack.

So tommorow (i hope they release it here then) i turn off the radio and put on my Winamp and settle myself with a bottle of coke for the TV and put a sign "don't disturb ... serious gaming" on the door .... aaah i want to play that damn game now!!!

[DigitalSpace]

Here's the full San Andreas soundtrack details, with a complete playlist of the radio stations. Courtesy of Gamespot. Notably, someone brought up in another thread that AFI's NIN cover was on the soundtrack - not surprisingly, it's nowhere to be found.

Oh, it's to be found alright -- not in the game's radio, but on my REAL radio! Are none of you hearing this on your local rock radio stations? Ours seems to be playing it hourly.

I wouldn't know, since I never listen to the radio, but it's probably in heavy rotation at the local alternative station. I was aware that AFI actually covered the song, but this is the first time I heard that it was a single.



That and KCHAT for me. ^^

I enjoy KCHAT too, but there are certain guest interviews I could listen to and never tire of, and then there are some where I almost always find myself switching to something else when they come on.

[Britboy]

Too bad itll be another year before the Xbox version. Nothing is better than driving around as Tommy V while listening to your own music tracks.

[maxlords]

Personally I hate the GTA games and won't play it, but the music looks solid. Keep in mind that I DESPISE rap and hip hop and wouldn't know the difference between modern and early 90s rap (if there really is much of one). That being said, I think the rock section looks solid as hell....lots of classics from the radio and my favorite Billy Idol song! :) Country looked solid too, though I hate country.

[DJ_DEEM]

yah turns out that afi cover is like a bonus track on the cd release of teh soundtracks or something for SA its on the rockstar site im just way to lazy to re-read it, but its on something SA related

[badinsults]

Yeah, the rock, alternative, country, and gansta stations would be what I listen to. It is funny how Axl Rose is the DJ on the classic rock station.

[Sylentwulf]

A lot of "Of course they're not gonna have music EVERYONE likes" posts.

That still doesn't mean they can't have a setting in the options menu that completely disables whatever stations you don't want to listen to. Turn them all on, all off, one on, one off, whatever, it would be VERY simple to do, and something they should have done a while ago. Nothing like clicking the R2 button 6 times every time you switch vehicles...

[Raedon]

They more I play the more I remember some old school rap songs I used to listen to but forgot.

It fits the game. I'm sure no one is complaining on the bling bling web ring.

[ddockery]

In regards to the NIN cover, I've seen a lot of "I can't believe anyone covered NIN" type posts... wake up. There's a whole damn NIN "tribute" album fuill of shit covers out there, and has been out for a few years. A lot of groups were influenced by it, so naturally they want to cover those songs.

[kevincure]

Hey, that soundtrack listing looks on the money to me. Even the "rave" channel has a bunch of tracks that were big back in the day - I still listen to 808 State. They do have 35 rock tracks + some funk if you're not into hip-hop.

[Bluteg]

Well, I think the soundtrack is great. The rock station has some great early 90's songs (ex. STP, Alice in Chains, RATM and even that Danzig song is good). One thing I don't think people realise is how much of the music industy rap/hip-hop "black music if you so call it" took over in the early 90's. Rap/hip-hop was THE hot thing (much of how New Wave was in VC) because many were still unexposed to it and it was the first time a younger generation (at the time) grew up around it. It was also the first time white people really took notice too it.

Rap/hip-hop became mainstream during this time, before that it was a somewhat niche market. Vice City had rap in its soundtrack it's just in the 80's it didn't dominate like it did in the early 90's. The game accurately represents this. I personally think many cannot get over the soundtrack because of the fact they "despise" rap, not caring that rap and black culture in general including music was becoming very excepted and very popular during this time. My only main gripe is that on the rap station 8 out of 16 of the songs are by NWA or it's members (Ice Cube, Dr. Dre & Eazy-E) meaning half the time you turn on the station you will hear a song by them. They were very popular at the time but more along the lines of 1 or 2 hits at a time. I find this mildy annoying, but the soundtrack is general is still great!

Oh, and one more thing WTF happened to "Gin and Juice" and why isn't it in this game? I thought I read somewhere that it was.

[slip81]

Oh, and one more thing WTF happened to "Gin and Juice" and why isn't it in this game? I thought I read somewhere that it was.

Yeah I heard that it was supposed to be in there as well, but haven't played the game long enough to know if it is or not. If it's not that sucks, that's a classic gangsta rap song that should have been included. Maybe they took it out because if the explicit language LOL

[jerkov]

First of all, motley6, NICE AVATAR! That is in my top three of all time favorite albums. I hope Queensryche doesn't fuck up Operation Mindcrime Pt. 2, since their last few albums have been quite lackluster.

Back on topic, I put my vote in as "awful". As I've said before, there are a few standout tracks (Danzig, Living Colour, Soundgarden, Gap Band, some of the classic rock), but I'm not even remotely interested in about 90% of the songs, so I guess that qualifies as "awful". It's a shame, because I loved a lot of the music in Vice City. V-Rock was almost all awesome tracks, and I even liked a lot of the new wave-ish stuff, some of the pop, and some of the funk stuff (I love Rick James' "Ghetto Life"). I guess I just hate early-90's mainstream music.

I haven't listened to the talk station much, but I'm sure there is some funny shit on there. I haven't heard many commercials yet, but Rockstar usually doesn't disappoint with those either.

Bottom line, however, is I'm here to play the game, even if the music sucks. You can always turn it off and play something in your stereo. I thought GTA 3 had an abolutely pathetic soundtrack (except for Lazlow's talk station), but it's still one of my all time favorite games.

[blissfulnoise]

Face it guys, any video game soundtrack is dedicated to the ambience of the game. This one covers that in spades. Frankly I'm surprised there isn't MORE hip-hop and g-rap on the soundtrack.

I think the soundtrack is outstanding and there is something on there to really enjoy for 99% of the public. And I say this as a primarily "goth/industrial/ethereal/dream-pop/experimental/avant-core/insert mopey-ass music genre here" music prick.

[Britboy]

Also where the hell is Lazlow?????????

He's in there

[Kroogah]

In GTA3 and Vice City you could adjust the music volume under the Options menu.


I'd say your limited taste in music is the real problem here.

Nuff said. PLEASE quit the bitching about the music in the game and waving personal opinions around like irrefutable facts.

[motley6]

Your mother is a whore.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

You're displaying an awesome command of debating skills here.

Play nice or we'll just be a-lockin' this thread, thanks.

[Kepone]

I don't have the game yet and I see all kinds of negative vibes about this game.

Oh well.

I just turn the volume off and crank up death metal or Punk if I don't like the soundtracks.

[norkusa]

I love the soundtrack. I think they represents the time period that the game is set in very well. Public Enemy, Gang Star, Ice-T. It's all there.

I think it's kind of funny hearing the comments made by the people who are overwhelmed with the amount of "black" music in GTA. What kind of music do you expect to be in a game that revolves around gang life on the west coast in the early 90's? J-pop?

[motley6]

Yes, boss.

[Bluteg]

Norkusa, right on!

Thats just what I'm saying the music represents the atmosphere of the game. Vice City imitates the soundtrack of Scarface and San Andreas imitates the soundtrack of Boyz in the Hood and those other "gangsta" movies of the 90's. Anyway I hate to see any of you guys miss out on a great game that addressed many problems of the previous games (swimming and those damn glitchy roofs) and then some because of the dislike of something that can be muted.

[Sotenga]

!!!!!!!!!

...

Them Bones. Alice In Chains. That's all I could ever ask for... excuse me. *breaks down crying with joy* :D :D :D

[Neil Koch]

Is "Killing in the Name" the uncensored version?

Still haven't gotten my copy... the place where I reserved it (GameStop) didn't even bother to call me so I overnighted it from Amazon yesterday.

[bensenvill]

no its perfect [other than not being able to change the station]... its exactly the type of music you would expect to actually be on the radio.

[Rogmeister]

I like country so I'm glad to see that type of music available (even though I'm sure it'll be the least-listened to station by most gamers)...some interesting choices there, too. I do think that if they had to pick an Eddie Rabbitt song, though, "Drivin' My Life Away" may have been a more appropriate song to drive to than "I Love A Rainy Night". And no Johnny Cash? X_x

[jerkov]

Although I agree about the soundtrack fitting the atmosphere of the game, does that mean that we HAVE to like that music? Although I hate rap, I think it does work well in the context of the game in small doses.


I don't have the game yet and I see all kinds of negative vibes about this game.

Oh well.

I just turn the volume off and crank up death metal or Punk if I don't like the soundtracks.

Yeah, there are some negative vibes because of the soundtrack, but in the end, WHO CARES? This is one of the most amazing games I have ever played in my life. Don't let this soundtrack bitchery sway your decision on whether to purchase it or not.

[SegaAges]

wel think about it, the main characters for 3 and vc were white guys. i am sure that since gta is way more mainstream with the release of 3, there are way more people out buying and playing it. they had to diversify from their "mob" theme to put in a "gang" theme. now that they have this gang theme, they have to stick with it, and have everything for it including music. that is guarenteed why there is so much rap and r&b on the soundtrack.

i haven't played the game yet, but i already know for a fact this is the reason why there is little rock on the soundtrack. the funny thing about this is this: the trailer for the game that they play on tv uses welcome to the jungle. they should have picked straight outtta comptom by nwa, that would have been hardcore. that is my only complaint. since this game is going to be aiming for that gang feel instead of the mob feel of every single other gta game, this will be the tradeoff you get.

[petewhitley]

Is "Killing in the Name" the uncensored version?

Yep.

[junglehunter]

I don't mind the rap stations but I wish they'd have more varied songs. For the love of me, they could've put some better 2Pac on and less Dr. Dre. :/

[ldkspardante]

In my opinion, I don't think they should've made the game like they did in the first place, where the main focus is on rap. Also, in all the gta games, can't you just turn the music audio level down in the menu? I may be mistaken, but that's what I remember doing. (In GTA III, try turning all the sound effects off and the music all the way up, the set the station to double clef fm and go run people down on the sidewalk, it's a unique and fun experience. A godfather type thing)

[charitycasegreg]

looks good especially this:

Tom Petty “Running Down a Dream
Billy Idol "white wedding"

2 really great songs. I lke some of the others from the classic rock station, I dont really like rap but ill prolly listen to that sometimes too.

[skoldpadda]

looks good especially this:

Tom Petty “Running Down a Dream
Billy Idol "white wedding"

2 really great songs. I lke some of the others from the classic rock station, I dont really like rap but ill prolly listen to that sometimes too.

I like those songs, but they are from the 80's...

[motley6]

Now that I have finished the game (more or less) I can honestly say that I was absolutely correct in my first post about th quality of the "music in this game. 80% Awful. Vice City's music was 10 times better. And Im no old fogie either. Im 22. The game is pretty cool though. Break yo self foo!

[zmweasel]

I love San Andreas's soundtrack within the context of the game, but it doesn't do it for me on its own, unlike Vice City. But I'm a child of the '80s, so not a shocker there.

What really bums me out is that the eight-disc San Andreas OST doesn't have deejay intros and outros for each disc, like the Vice City OST. Those segments were pure comedy gold.

The two-disc "greatest hits" OST is a better purch, because it includes a sweet prologue DVD with 20 minutes' worth of exclusive cut-scenes.

-- Z.

[digitalpress]

I love San Andreas's soundtrack within the context of the game, but it doesn't do it for me on its own, unlike Vice City. But I'm a child of the '80s, so not a shocker there.

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm not a fan of rap but it just FIT the game so well that I always got into it. In fact, most of the time when driving around and the station was set to the non-rap stations, I'd change it. And yet, there is not a single song that I would play on my home or car stereo.

It is the zen of the game.

[kainemaxwell]

Some songs on Radio X are good, still like to know how "Horse With No Name" ended up in SA. :)

[digitalpress]

Some songs on Radio X are good, still like to know how "Horse With No Name" ended up in SA. :)

Doesn't that station have a bunch of random classic rock tunes?

Horse With No Name by America = random classic rock tune.

Hope this helped sort it all out for you :)

[kainemaxwell]

Some songs on Radio X are good, still like to know how "Horse With No Name" ended up in SA. :)

Doesn't that station have a bunch of random classic rock tunes?

Horse With No Name by America = random classic rock tune.

Hope this helped sort it all out for you :)
I knew it was a classic rock tune actually, was just surprised to hear it. What stations play what in SA?

On a sidenote, what you think of the talk radio channel(s) in SA?

[Kepone]

I just keep the radio off in SA and listen to an internet rock station while playing it.

[Aussie2B]

I don't play GTA games to begin with, but if they're going to have all these different radio stations in the game, they should at least cater to the people who want GAME music in their games. I'd dislike the game's music on the sole basis that it's a bunch of licensed crap, so why not have a station of music actually composed for the game? It's not as if the content of the game ONLY lends itself well to licensed music. Not all instrumental music has to be classical, so I'm sure they could've created something fitting with a competent enough composer. I think this would also be a good solution for those who don't like rap or are not satisfied by the limited amount of rock and such.

[The Lazy Gamer]

I didn't like it very much. The Vice City soundtrack was so great, but this one, bleh.

[Anthony1]

Wow, apparently this website must have a high concentration of "anti rap" gamers.


Calling it "Black Music" is simply uncalled for, if you ask me. Almost racist. Yep, I said the R word. Sure, that music is definitely listened to by in large african americans and other ethnic groups, but no need to call it "Black Music".


Anyways, all that aside, I think the soundtrack is fantastic. What I like most, is that when you jack somebodies car, the station is set depending on the type of car and the person driving. How cool. Sure, it's very stereotypical to have a white guy driving a pickup truck, and when you jack his car he's got country music on the radio. But stereotypical or not it's still very cool.

In the early 90's I was in my early 20's and it's a time I remember very well from a musical standpoint, and I think they hit it right on the money.

The music makes the game, period.

This game is basically an interactive version of "Menace to Society" and "Boyz N Da Hood" and "South Central". If you were to look at the soundtracks to those movies, you would see that this game is very similar.

And why wouldn't it be?

I don't expect to hear the Smiths or Depeche Mode or whatever, while driving around in a recreation of Compton and Inglewood and Long Beach circa 92.

[Aussie2B]

Calling it "Black Music" is simply uncalled for, if you ask me. Almost racist. Yep, I said the R word. Sure, that music is definitely listened to by in large african americans and other ethnic groups, but no need to call it "Black Music".

I think people are defining it as "black music" not by who listens to it but by who creates it. No one can deny that rap, funk, R&B, etc. were forms of music invented by black people.

[Ed Oscuro]

Calling it "Black Music" is simply uncalled for, if you ask me. Almost racist. Yep, I said the R word. Sure, that music is definitely listened to by in large african americans and other ethnic groups, but no need to call it "Black Music".

I think people are defining it as "black music" not by who listens to it but by who creates it.
The point of his post went right over your head, there.

For once I'm in agreement with Anthony1, and pretty strongly so. I'm definitely not impressed to see Roundtablers talking about "black music" in this day and age. It's damn good music, and it fits the game.


Not all instrumental music has to be classical, so I'm sure they could've created something fitting with a competent enough composer.
Maybe in the days of Blu-Ray discs... LOL

[Promophile]

Wow, apparently this website must have a high concentration of "anti rap" gamers.


Calling it "Black Music" is simply uncalled for, if you ask me. Almost racist. Yep, I said the R word. Sure, that music is definitely listened to by in large african americans and other ethnic groups, but no need to call it "Black Music".


I won't argue with you about who listens to it. In fact I believe it has been found that the VAST majority of rap albums are bought by middle class white kids. However, it's plain as day that the OVERWHELMINGLY vast majority of rappers are black. How many famous white rappers can you name off the top of your head? These days mentioning ANYTHING about race or sex is being racist/sexist :roll: .

[djbeatmongrel]

personally i love the soundtrack, i tend to play Mastersounds and Bounce FM, funk and soul muh friends, thats where its at. the other stations are great to, it was definitely a throw back for me since i remember those tracks when i was growing up witha dad that dj'd as a hobby.

for anyone who calls music "black music" is utterly stupid. io hate to break the news to you but if you follow most popular music to its roots it leads back to blues and jazz, music originated from african americans. plus saying its "black music" is dance near racist, its like stating that fried chicken is "black food"

and as others have stated, just turn the music off or dont play the game. the music is skewed more to the urban and soulful end of things because rockstar is trying to keep the overall atmosphere of the game within a certain scope.

[Aussie2B]

Calling it "Black Music" is simply uncalled for, if you ask me. Almost racist. Yep, I said the R word. Sure, that music is definitely listened to by in large african americans and other ethnic groups, but no need to call it "Black Music".

I think people are defining it as "black music" not by who listens to it but by who creates it.
The point of his post went right over your head, there.

For once I'm in agreement with Anthony1, and pretty strongly so. I'm definitely not impressed to see Roundtablers talking about "black music" in this day and age. It's damn good music, and it fits the game.

It went right over my head? How so? What term would you use to describe, as a whole, all those musical genres? If somebody wanted to come along and label all music invented by white people as "white music", fine, it wouldn't bother me any. It would sound a little silly (just like "black music"), but it would still be an accurate statement. Anyway, since when are black people offended by being labelled as black? And their creations as being "black" creations? I'm guessing the only people who think twice about a term like "black music" are uptight white people who are deathly afraid of doing/saying/thinking anything that could be possibly considered racist or not PC.

[Ed Oscuro]

It went right over my head? How so? What term would you use to describe, as a whole, all those musical genres?
It's that you don't need to be calling it BLACK MUSIC. Jesus. I'm not offended myself, and I suppose if folks want to make themselves look like hicks I should let them help themselves - but I'd be damned if I'm going to lump a ton of great genres under the banner of "black music." I suppose we could classify j-pop and Minyo as "asian music," too, and that's not even going with the color thing.

Now, if a Black Panther came in here and had something to say about black music, I'd listen. But as it is, this stuff makes me unhappy because it's really all a bunch of player-hating and you know it ;O

[Kid Ice]

Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis? :)

This is a GREAT soundtrack. The Vice City soundtrack suits my personal preferences a little better, but for a slab of early 90s radio, it's pretty much dead on. As for the classic rock channel, doesn't every major city have one of those? Kinda funny if you ask me.

I'd like to know what game this year had a better licensed soundtrack.