Hip-hop DJ develops new tunes for Grand Theft

By Antony Bruno

DENVER (Billboard) - Hip-hop DJ Green Lantern produced a custom radio station for Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto IV," which comes out on Tuesday.

Rather than simply stringing together a group of licensed tracks, the New York DJ, producer and label owner developed about 10 new songs.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE "GTA" SOUNDTRACK?

They reached out sometime last year when they were putting together the in-game radio shows. They wanted me to do what I do with making songs and mixing them up as a DJ and producer. They got a couple of people over there that are really in tune to what's going on and they understand I both play music as a DJ and also make music. So they had the idea to give me my own show and create all brand-new music, so it could be a first.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED?

Three words -- "Grand Theft Auto." It's just a no-brainer. It's such a big platform, first of all, (and) the chance to do something that's a first. It's based in a New York-type of setting, so I can use my artist relationships and go make songs for this particular mood that I'm trying to achieve.

DID YOU GO ABOUT IT DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER MIXTAPE OR

RADIO SHOW?