Atlantic Records Spent Two Years Making GTA 6 Soundtrack

Atlantic Records worked with Rockstar Games for more than two years to assemble the official Grand Theft Auto 6 soundtrack. The label’s A&R teams collaborated with Rockstar’s audio department on artist selection, licensing and original recordings intended for the game’s in-world radio stations and a commercial release.

The partnership began over two years ago and included coordination on song curation, recording sessions and rights negotiations. Atlantic conducted outreach to artists and producers, secured licenses for existing tracks and commissioned new music. Rockstar advised on how each selection would fit the game’s radio stations and narrative tone. Work took place through a mix of remote coordination and in-person sessions between label representatives and the game’s audio staff.

People familiar with the project describe the effort as an extended production process rather than a single release push. The soundtrack is being prepared both to play inside Grand Theft Auto 6 and to be released as a standalone compilation. Atlantic is expected to manage distribution, marketing and sales through its usual channels once the compilation is finalized. Neither Atlantic Records nor Rockstar has issued a public statement detailing the full scope or the final track list.

The collection spans multiple genres and combines established performers with newer acts to reflect the game’s setting and character moments. Licensing arrangements for the commercial album required separate deals from the in-game clearances, which added time to the schedule. Teams focused on sequencing and mixing so tracks would play naturally inside the game’s radio stations while also holding together as an album outside the game.

Industry professionals point out that securing rights, arranging original recordings and aligning artists’ schedules with a major game development timetable can extend production timelines. The two-year collaboration continues the franchise’s long practice of integrating curated, licensed music into its games.