Danny Brown on Gaming and Music Ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6
With the announcement of the much-anticipated release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 26, 2026, excitement is building around the musical talent that Rockstar Games may feature in the game. In a recent interview, rapper Danny Brown shared his thoughts on the intersection of music and gaming.
Danny Brown’s Connection to Grand Theft Auto
In conversation with Variety before his performance at the THPS Fest, which celebrated the upcoming release of Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Brown expressed his hope to be part of the next GTA installment. “I’ve done a lot of things with ‘GTA,’” he reflected, referencing his previous work with the in-game radio station iFruit Radio in Grand Theft Auto 5. “Hopefully they have me back, last time I was a drunk fool,” he humorously added. Brown’s involvement in GTA spans beyond music; he voiced the character Yung Ancestor in the game.
A Lifelong Gamer
Brown’s passion for gaming traces back to his childhood. “I grew up with video games in my household my entire life,” he recalled, describing the excitement of acquiring new consoles on launch days. His father’s interest in gaming magazines kept the family well-informed about the latest titles, further fueling his passion.
A Milestone in Brown’s Career
Participating in a Tony Hawk game is a significant achievement for Brown. “That’s a dream of mine, to be honest,” he admitted, expressing his admiration for the iconic series’ soundtracks, particularly from Pro Skater 2 and Tony Hawk’s Underground. He noted that gaming often served as an outlet during tough times, saying, “I kind of correlate when I gamed a lot with depression, in some sense, without even knowing it.”
New Directions in Music
During his THPS Fest performance, Brown showcased an eclectic setlist that included tracks from throughout his career, touching on darker themes like substance abuse but also highlighting his desire for uplifting music as he enters a new chapter. “I’m out of that phase,” he stated. “I want to make music to make people happy.” Currently, he is working on a new album and has made appearances in various musical events, including recently performing at Coachella.
Continued Passion for Gaming
Despite his busy schedule, Brown remains an avid gamer. He is currently enjoying titles from Atlus, such as the Persona series, as well as revisiting classic MMORPGs like RuneScape. He emphasized the importance of original soundtracks in video games, noting how they enhance the overall experience and emotional connection for players. “It’s all about the music,” he said, underlining his appreciation for the effort put into game soundtracks, such as that of Disco Elysium, which he finds particularly comforting.
The Impact of Gaming on Music
Brown is not alone in recognizing the momentum gaming can provide to music. Recent trends indicate a significant surge in streams for songs featured in games, as evidenced by the 182,000% increase in Spotify streams for The Pointer Sisters’ song “Hot Together,” featured in the latest Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer. This trend highlights the powerful synergy between music licensing in gaming and its impact on artist visibility.
In a related development, the entertainment data company Luminate announced a partnership with Epic Games aimed at enhancing the tracking of music engagement within popular gaming platforms like Fortnite, showcasing the evolving landscape of music integration into gaming.