For the radio stations in the Game Boy Color version, see Radio Stations in GTA 2 (GBC).
In Grand Theft Auto 2, each play area features five radio stations from a pool of eleven, which can be tuned into while driving most vehicles in the game. Unlike the previous game (GTA London 1969), the soundtrack consists mostly of original music, much like the original Grand Theft Auto (with the exception of a few licensed tracks).
The radio station format from previous games was expanded upon in multiple ways. Most notably, this was the first game in the franchise to feature radio advertisements, something that would return in subsequent games. The commercials use recognizable tropes and clichés, oftentimes used in real life commercials, to advertise fictional products in humorous ways. Unlike in previous games, which have little to no commentary given by on-air personalities, the radio hosts in Grand Theft Auto 2 often feature in-depth dialogue that can give the player a better understanding of each host's unique personality. Their dialogue also includes references to places, characters, and events that are present in the game, along with mentions of themes that might relate to the music they play on their respective stations. For the first time in the series, all of the radio hosts are named, which further emphasizes their characterisation.
Each gang in Anywhere City has their own radio station that broadcasts from within their respective territory. The hosts of each gang's station oftentimes have personalities that are reflective of their associated gang. If the player is too far from a specific gang's territory, their associated station will have poor reception, which can sometimes be used as a navigation tool by the player.
Out of the total eleven radio stations in the game, only five are broadcasted throughout each district of Anywhere City. As a result, this means that some stations are only available if the player is a specific district (a mechanic that wouldn't return until Grand Theft Auto V). A station's availability can sometimes relate to whether or not an associated gang resides within the district.
The radio stations in Grand Theft Auto 2 feature thirty unique songs in total, five of which are licensed. Unlike other games in the franchise, fifteen of these songs can be heard on more than one radio station, which brings the total number of times that a song is featured to fourty-five.
Changing radio stations for preference is possible in the PC version by using the "F1" function key, and in the PlayStation version by pressing the "up" directional button.
The radio stations that the player can listen in GTA 2 are as follows:
- Head Radio: Phanny Joe Styles plays Funk, Pop and Dance Johnny Riccaro plays Jazzstep and Rock
- Rockstar Radio: Rock, Funk, and House
- KREZ: Hip Hop, Rap, Jazzstep, and Industrial
- Lo-Fi FM: Funk, Jazz, Oldies and Classic Rock
- Futuro FM: Funk, Dance and Classic Rock
- Funami FM: Acid, Electronic, and Drum n' Bass
- Lithium FM: Random array, includes Techno, Oldies, Electronic, and Christian Rock
- King 130.7: Hard Rock and Soft Rock
- Osmosis FM: Dance, Pop, and Alternative Rock
- Heavenly Radio: Christian Rock, Soft Rock and Traditional Gospel
- KGBH: Classic Rock and Techno
Radio Stations[]
- For the original songs the year of release is that of Grand Theft Auto 2: 1999.
- Authors of the original songs, at the side, in superscript.
- 1 - This is a licensed song.
Further Notes[]
Due to an incorrect user-made track-listing of unknown origin, three instrumental songs are commonly misidentified:
- Future Loop - "Garage Acid" (P. Scargill) is often misidentified as Tsunami - "F.A.G. Filter" (S. Ross).
- Ido - "Ball Blaster" (S. Ross) is often misidentified as Future Loop - "Garage Acid" (P. Scargill)
- Tsunami - "F.A.G. Filter" (S. Ross) is often misidentified as Ido - "Ball Blaster" (S. Ross)
Head Radio[]
Head Radio has 2 alternating DJs: Phanny Joe Styles and Johnny Riccaro. Depending on which DJ is on charge, the station changes its format: with Phanny Joe Styles it plays pop, dance, and funk, while with Johnny Riccaro it plays primarily rock and some jazz inspired instrumentation. It is the city's largest commercial radio station and can be received in all areas of the game. It is also the station with the longest runtime: 24 minutes as opposed to the regular 12 minutes. The frequency of this station ranges from 69 to 89 FM, according to a station ID.
Songs with Phanny Joe Styles:
- Apostles of Funk - "Yellow Butter" (S. Ross)
- Pussywillows - "Real Love" (C. Conner)
- Davidson - "All I Wanna Do" (1999) 1
- The One - "Southpark" (C. Conner)
The song "Real Love" was censored in the PlayStation version of the game - some words were reversed and/or muted.
Songs with Johnny Riccaro:
- Bula Matari - "Taxi Drivers" (1996) 1
- Flytronix - "Pendulum" (1998) 1
- Anna - "Do It On Your Own" (C. Conner)
- Testing - "My Tiny World" (C. Conner)
The song "Taxi Drivers" was censored in the PlayStation version of the game - some lyrics were interrupted by the sounds of horns.
Rockstar Radio[]
Rockstar Radio is hosted by Sammy Starock and plays primarily rock and takes callers on-air. It broadcasts from the Downtown District. According to Starock, people regularly send letter bombs to the station.
- Stikki Fingerz - "Holdin' It Out For You" (C. Anderson, P. Mackie)
- Conor & Jay - "Vegas Road" (J. Wemyss, C. Conner)
- Track 7 - "I Wanna Phunk" (1999) 1
KREZ[]
KREZ is hosted by Richie T and plays hip hop, rap and jazzstep. It broadcasts from the Residential District.
- Negro Vs. Conner - "Showin' Me Love" (C. Conner, R. De Negro)
- E=MC Good Times - "Jacking In Hilltown" (P. Scargill, R. De Negro)
- Flytronix - "Past Archives" (1998) 1
- Numb - "How It's Done" (S. Ross)
Lo-Fi FM[]
Lo-Fi FM is hosted by DJ Dai and plays classic funk, soul and rock. It broadcasts from the Industrial District. DJ Dai seems to have no ties to gangs in the area.
- Stylus Exodus - "Toucan Pie" (C. Anderson)
- Bert Reid's Guitar Trio - "A Cool Day In Downtown" (B. Reid, Engineer Unknown)
- Tammy Boness & The Swingin' Mammaries - "The Diner" (J. Wemyss, C. Conner)
- Cow Tastes Good - "Surf City" (C. Anderson)
Futuro FM[]
Futuro FM is hosted by Dean Frantz and plays jazz-oriented instrumentation, dance, classic rock, and funk. Its broadcast can be received in all three areas. It is sponsored by the Zaibatsu corporation and filled with promotions for their products.
- Reed - "L.E.D." (S. Ross)
- Davidson - "All I Wanna Do" (1999) 1
- Spangly Feet - "Dazed & Confused" (S. Ross)
- Stylus Exodus - "Toucan Pie" (C. Anderson)
Funami FM[]
Funami FM is hosted by Teriyaki-chan and plays acid electronic music similar to drum and bass. It broadcasts from the Downtown District and is the station most favored by the Yakuza gang. Teriyaki-chan is a frantically screaming Japanese girl with a voice that varies in pitch. She speaks primarily in Japanese but occasionally says a few phrases in English. The imaging voice that of a man that speaks English with a Japanese accent.
- Toys Are Real - "Flymutha" (P. Scargill)
- Ido - "Ball Blaster" (S. Ross)
- 4 How Much 4 - "O2N" (C. Conner)
- Tsunami - "F.A.G. Filter" (S. Ross)
Lithium FM[]
Lithium FM is hosted by Spaz Funbags, and plays random music, including techno, classic soul, electronic, and Christian pop. It broadcasts from the Downtown District and is the station most favored by the Loonies gang. Spaz Funbags, like the Loonies, seems to be schizophrenic.
- Future Loop - "Garage Acid" (P. Scargill)
- Tammy Boness & The Swingin' Mammaries - "The Diner" (J. Wemyss, C. Conner)
- Voice Box - "Computer Lust" (S. Ross)
- Rev. Rooney & The Rocksta Choir - "God Bless All The Universe" (C. Conner)
King 130.7[]
King 130.7 is hosted by Marshall Nash, and plays several variations of rock. It broadcasts from the Residential District and is the station most favored by the Redneck gang. Marshall Nash has a Southern accent and posts announcements of escaped convicts who have bounties posted on their heads.
- Bula Matari - "Taxi Drivers" (1996) 1
- Testing - "My Tiny World" (C. Conner)
- Stikki Fingerz - "Holdin' It Out For You" (C. Anderson, P. Mackie)
- Sterlin - "Standing On My Own" (C. Conner)
Osmosis FM[]
Osmosis FM is hosted by Mama Doc and plays dance-pop, electro-pop, and some alternative rock. It broadcasts from the Residential District and is the station most favored by the Scientists gang. Mama Doc, like the Scientists, is either Icelandic or Scandinavian.
- Davidson - "All I Wanna Do" (1999) 1
- Pussywillows - "Real Love" (C. Conner)
- Anna - "Do It On Your Own" (C. Conner)
- Track 7 - "I Wanna Phunk" (1999) 1
Heavenly Radio[]
Heavenly Radio is hosted by Venus Ordelia and plays Christian pop, soft rock and traditional gospel. It broadcasts from the Industrial District and is the station most favored by the Krishnas gang. Listeners are continuously urged by Venus Ordelia to convert.
- Rev. Rooney & The Rocksta Choir - "God Bless All The Universe" (C. Conner)
- Sterlin - "Standing On My Own" (C. Conner)
- Zoneboys - "Amazing Grace" (C. Conner)
KGBH[]
KGBH is hosted by Bomba Tomba and Prodo, and plays classic rock and techno. It is a pirate radio that broadcasts from the Industrial District, and is the station most favored by the Russian Mafia. The name "KGBH" is a portmanteau of the Soviet KGB and grievous bodily harm (GBH). Bomba Tomba and Prodo frequently encounter both technical and personal problems that interfere with their broadcasts, as they broadcast via a tape machine.
- Cow Tastes Good - "Surf City" (C. Anderson)
- Spangly Feet - "Dazed & Confused" (S. Ross)
- Future Loop - "Garage Acid" (P. Scargill)
Miscellaneous Tracks[]
Opening Track[]
This song is played only in the opening video of GTA 2, and is not included in any of the in-game radios.
- "MUSIC FOR GTA2 FILM INTRO" (C. Conner)
Menu Track[]
This song is played continuously in the selection menus. It is not played in any radio station in-game.
- E-Z Rollers - "Short Change" (1998)
Credits Track[]
This song is played during the credits. It can also be heard briefly in the background of one of Mama Doc's speeches on Osmosis FM.
- Scrapyard Mongrels - "I Love This Feeling (Stoned Again)" (P. Scargill, A. Steenkamp)
GTA 2: The Movie Soundtrack[]
The soundtrack solely originates from the Moving Shadow label, meaning it consists primarily of Drum and bass. "Past Archives" is the only track from the movie to also be featured on an in-game radio station.
- Successful Criminals - "Music Madness" (1998)
- Inter Orbit Communication - "Short Wave Café" (1998)
- Dom & Roland - "Thunder" (1998)
- JMJ and Richie - "The Score" (1998)
- Flytronix - "Air Surf" (1998)
- PFM - "Cruising Detroit '98" (1998)
- Flytronix - "Past Archives" (1998)
- E-Z Rollers - "Short Change" (1998)
Removed content[]
There was content for the radio stations that was removed from the final version of the game.
- Ridiculous FM - a progressive rock radio with a single song that would have lasted 20 minutes.
- Rev. Rooney & The Rocksta Choir's "God Bless All The Universe" was going to have more profanity.
Commercials[]
Main article: Commercials in GTA 2
Commercials in GTA 2 were a milestone in the Grand Theft Auto series, the game introduced commercials as part of the general upgrade of the game's radios. Using double entendres, tongue-in-cheek remarks, adult humor and marketing techniques used in real life commercials, these commercials for fictional products are heard in-between songs.
Some products advertised are "Flipper Dolphin" (a fishing product used to fish dolphins, encouraging the users to throw away unwanted catches like little tunas), "Super Lead Gasoline" (a rocket fuel that isn't safe for the environment but tastes delicious) and "Credex Gold" (a credit card for when you run in debts while betting, and "the premier choice of lounge lizards and game developers all around the world").
Trivia[]
- Although the player destroys the Futuro FM transmitter in the Downtown District upon completion of the mission Radio Za-Za!, the station can still continue to play afterwards if the game is reloaded.
- Two fictional bands make a reprise from GTA: Stylus Exodus ("Pootang Shebang", "Toucan Pie") and Stikki Fingerz ("4 Letter Love", "Holdin' It Out For You).
- The game uses a generic police radio track used in countless films, series and games ("5 George K, number 30 Broad street" is said in the track). This police track was also used in both Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto III.
- The radio of Grand Theft Auto Advance uses shortened versions of Slumpussy's "This Life" from GTA and the following songs from GTA 2:
- E=MC Good Times - "Jacking In Hilltown"
- Reed - "L.E.D."
- Apostles of Funk - "Yellow Butter"
- Toys Are Real - "Flymutha"
- The One - "Southpark"
- Numb - "How It's Done"
- Voice Box - "Computer Lust"
See Also[]
- Radio Stations in GTA
- Radio Stations in GTA London
- Radio Stations in GTA III
- Radio Stations in GTA Vice City
- Radio Stations in GTA San Andreas
- Radio Stations in GTA Liberty City Stories
- Radio Stations in GTA Vice City Stories
- Radio Stations in GTA IV
- Radio Stations in GTA Chinatown Wars
- Radio Stations in GTA V