You’re tearing down the Del Perro Freeway, the sun is setting over the Pacific, and suddenly, "Lady (Hear Me Tonight)" kicks in. It’s a vibe. But if you’re still thinking the radio dial is the same as it was back in the PS3 days, you’re missing half the party. When Grand Theft Auto V jumped to the PS4, Rockstar didn’t just sharpen the textures of Michael’s mid-life crisis; they fundamentally rebuilt the airwaves.
Honestly, the GTA 5 PS4 radio songs are the definitive way to experience Los Santos. We aren't just talking about a couple of bonus tracks tossed in as an afterthought. We're talking 162 new songs that were added specifically for the "next-gen" (at the time) launch, which basically turned the existing soundtrack into a behemoth.
The PS4 Upgrade: More Than Just Graphics
When the game hit the PlayStation 4, the radio stations got a massive shot in the arm. Most people realize the game looks better, but the audio density is what really keeps the world alive during those long drives out to Paleto Bay.
The coolest part? This version includes the "Expanded" soundtrack. While the PS3 had a solid foundation, the PS4 version (and later PC/PS5) added roughly 40% more music. If you feel like you’re hearing Kendrick Lamar or Gorillaz more often than you used to, it’s not your imagination. They were literally added to the rotation to keep the game from feeling like a 2013 time capsule.
Non-Stop Pop FM: The Cara Delevingne Evolution
Non-Stop Pop is arguably the biggest winner of the PS4 era. Hosted by model Cara Delevingne, the station went from a decent pop hit list to an absolute powerhouse of 80s, 90s, and 2000s bangers.
On the PS4, you get exclusive access to:
- Backstreet Boys – "I Want It That Way" (The ultimate sing-along when you're 5-starred).
- Gorillaz – "Feel Good Inc."
- Lady Gaga – "Applause."
- Lorde – "Tennis Court."
- M83 – "Midnight City."
- Jamiroquai – "Alright."
It’s a weirdly perfect mix. One minute you’re listening to 80s synth-pop like "Send Me An Angel" by Real Life, and the next, you’re hitting a jump to the beat of Mike Posner’s "Cooler Than Me."
Radio Los Santos and the Modern Rap Scene
If you're into West Coast vibes, Radio Los Santos is the heart of the game. On the PS4, Big Boy’s playlist got updated with tracks that felt much more current to the mid-2010s. It shifted the station from just "modern rap" to a curated snapshot of the Kendrick era.
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You’ll hear Bad News by Danny Brown and Action Bronson, which has that gritty, experimental edge. Then there’s Collard Greens by ScHoolboy Q. These tracks weren't in the original 2013 release. They were the "new" sound of Los Santos when the PS4 version dropped in 2014.
West Coast Classics: The Legend of DJ Pooh
For the old-school heads, West Coast Classics is untouchable. But even this nostalgia-heavy station got new life on the PS4. Rockstar added a bunch of legendary cuts that were missing from the first go-around.
- 2Pac – "Ambitionz Az a Ridah"
- Luniz – "I Got 5 On It"
- Warren G – "This D.J."
- Eazy-E – "No More ?'s"
There’s something about driving a lowrider through Strawberry while "Ambitionz Az a Ridah" plays that just feels right. It’s the quintessential GTA experience.
The Rock and Indie Overhaul
Los Santos Rock Radio, hosted by the "Log" himself—Kenny Loggins—is a staple for anyone who wants to feel like they’re in a 1980s action movie. On PS4, the "Log" added some heavy hitters.
Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival is the big one here. It’s basically mandatory to play this song while flying a Buzzard over the Alamo Sea. You also get Danger Zone, because obviously, you can't have Kenny Loggins as a DJ and not include his most famous track.
Radio Mirror Park
This is the "hipster" station, and I mean that in the best way possible. Hosted by Twin Shadow, it’s full of chillwave and synth-pop. The PS4 update added tracks like:
- Hot Chip – "Flutes"
- Holy Ghost! – "Hold On"
- Cut Copy – "Strangers in the Wind"
It’s the perfect station for driving through the Vinewood Hills at 2 AM when the city lights are flickering below you. Sorta makes the whole "criminal mastermind" thing feel almost poetic.
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Every Station with PS4 Exclusive Tracks
It's easy to get lost in the big names, but almost every dial on the radio got some love. Here is a look at what actually changed when the game moved to the 8th generation of consoles.
The Lowdown 91.1
This soul station, hosted by the legendary Pam Grier, added tracks like "I Believe in Miracles" by the Jackson Sisters. It’s smooth, funky, and perfect for cruising.
Blue Ark
The reggae station didn't get left behind either. Lee "Scratch" Perry (R.I.P. to a legend) brings in tracks like "Money Come and Money Go." It’s a vibe that honestly never gets old, especially when you’re escaping the cops in a slow-moving van.
Channel X
For the punks. The PS4 version added "John Wayne Was a Nazi" by MDC and "Los Angeles" by X. It’s fast, loud, and makes you want to drive through a storefront.
The Mystery of "The Lab"
One of the biggest additions to the GTA 5 PS4 radio songs lineup was a completely new station: The Lab.
Originally created for the PC version (The Alchemist and Oh No Present: Welcome to Los Santos), this station eventually trickled down to the PS4. It’s unique because the music was actually produced for the game. You get artists like Earl Sweatshirt, Killer Mike, and Little Dragon. It’s experimental, weird, and feels incredibly "Los Santos."
Why the Music Matters So Much
In most games, the soundtrack is background noise. In GTA, it’s a character. Rockstar spent a fortune on licensing these songs because they know the right track can turn a mundane drive into a cinematic moment.
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Think about it. You’ve just finished a massive heist. You’re swapping between characters, and as you take control of Franklin, "The Box" by Roddy Ricch (added in later Online updates that hit the PS4) starts playing. It grounds the game in reality.
Does it still hold up in 2026?
Surprisingly, yes. Even though the PS4 is technically "last-gen" now that the PS5 has been out for years, the soundtrack remains the gold standard. In fact, many people prefer the PS4/PS5 radio because it includes all the "The Contract" update music featuring Dr. Dre.
If you’re playing GTA Online on your PS4, you’re getting even more music than the base story mode offers. Stations like iFruit Radio and MOTOMAMI Los Santos (hosted by Rosalía) were added years after the PS4 launch, keeping the game's audio fresh even a decade later.
Final Pro-Tip for PS4 Players
If you’re tired of the standard rotation, don't forget that you can actually hide certain radio stations in the Interaction Menu (at least in GTA Online). This lets you cycle through your favorites faster.
Also, if you're a fan of the talk radio—WCTR and Blaine County Radio—the PS4 version added new segments of "Chakra Attack" with Dr. Ray De Angelo Harris. If you haven't sat in a parked car just to listen to JB Smoove yell about spiritual energy for ten minutes, you haven't lived.
To get the most out of your listening experience, head into your game settings and ensure your "Music Volume" is balanced against the "SFX Volume." Los Santos is a noisy place, and sometimes the roar of a Cheetah engine can drown out the best parts of a synth-wave solo. If you're looking for a specific vibe, try switching to Radio Mirror Park during rainstorms—the atmosphere is unbeatable.