You know that feeling when a game just clicks the second the title card hits? That’s the Dead Island 2 intro song for you. It isn’t just background noise while you wait for the shaders to compile or the menu to load. It is a mood. A vibe. A literal warning of the sun-drenched, blood-soaked chaos you’re about to walk into.
The song is called "Stay Alive" by Femi Kuti.
Honestly, it’s a brilliant choice. Most zombie games go for the heavy metal approach or that weeping, melancholic cello stuff that makes you feel like the world is ending in a gray puddle. Dambuster Studios went the opposite direction. They chose a track that feels like a party at the end of the world. It’s got brass. It’s got a groove. It makes you want to smash a zombie’s head in with a modded pool cue while sipping a virtual Mai Tai.
Why the Dead Island 2 intro song works so well
If you’ve played the opening, you remember the scene. The plane crash. The flickering lights. The absolute "Hell-A" aesthetic of Beverly Hills burning under a perfect blue sky. When those horns kick in, it tells you exactly what kind of game this is. This isn't The Last of Us. Nobody is crying over a broken watch here. This is a "pulp" horror experience.
Femi Kuti is a legend in his own right, being the son of the Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. "Stay Alive" isn't even a new track—it originally dropped back in 2001 on the album Fight to Win. But in 2023, it found a second life as the anthem for slaying the undead in California. The lyrics are pretty on the nose, too. "You’ve got to stay alive," Kuti sings. No kidding, Femi. There’s a guy in a wedding tuxedo trying to eat my liver two feet away.
The irony is thick. The music is upbeat, soulful, and energetic, while the visuals on screen are horrific. That contrast is the secret sauce. It sets a tone of "Heck yeah, let’s do this" rather than "Oh no, everything is doomed." It’s the difference between a funeral and a wake where someone brought an open bar.
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The technical magic of the title sequence
A lot of people think the music is just layered over the video. It’s more than that. The way the title sequence is edited—those slow-motion shots of the infected and the survivors—is perfectly synced to the rhythm of the Afrobeat percussion. It’s cinematic.
- Artist: Femi Kuti
- Track Title: Stay Alive
- Album: Fight to Win (2001)
- Genre: Afrobeat
Believe it or not, some players actually sat through the entire intro every single time they booted the game. I’m one of them. Usually, you’re looking for the "Skip" button the moment a logo appears. Not here. You let the brass section build up. You wait for that specific beat drop before you hit "Continue."
Tracking down the rest of the vibe
If you liked the Dead Island 2 intro song, you’re probably wondering if the rest of the soundtrack holds up. The short answer? Yes. But it’s a weird mix. The in-game score was handled by Ryan Williams, who is a senior audio designer at Dambuster. He worked alongside Ross Stack. They didn't just go for generic "scary sounds." They used a lot of analog synths and quirky percussion to keep that 80s/90s pulp feel alive.
Then you have the licensed tracks. "Stay Alive" is the star, but the game is littered with gems. You’ve got The Phantoms with "Lemonade," which plays during some of the high-octane fights. You’ve got stuff like "Drive" by Glüme. It’s an eclectic playlist that mirrors the chaotic energy of Los Angeles.
People often get confused about the song in the reveal trailer versus the actual game intro. Remember that 2014 trailer? The one with the jogger? That used "The Bomb" by Pigeon John. Totally different vibe. By the time the game actually came out nearly a decade later, the developers had pivoted to the Femi Kuti track to match the new, more polished (but still gory) direction of the game.
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Is it actually Afrobeat or something else?
It’s pure Afrobeat. If you aren't familiar with the genre, it’s a mix of West African musical styles (like highlife) with American funk and jazz. It’s characterized by big horn sections and complex, driving rhythms. It’s the perfect foil for a game set in a city known for its flashy, over-the-top culture. Using a Nigerian artist for a game set in LA might seem random, but it highlights the global, "melting pot" feel of the city, even as it burns.
Why music matters in zombie media
Let’s be real for a second. The zombie genre is crowded. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a game about the undead. Music is the primary way these games distinguish themselves.
- Resident Evil uses silence and oppressive ambient noise.
- Left 4 Dead uses reactive "horror" stings.
- Dead Island 2 uses licensed bangers.
When you hear "Stay Alive," your brain switches from "survival mode" to "action hero mode." It’s a psychological trick. It makes the combat feel more like a dance and less like a chore.
The lyrics of the Dead Island 2 intro song are also surprisingly political if you listen to the full version of Kuti's track, dealing with survival in the face of corruption and hardship. While the game doesn't get that deep—it's mostly about drop-kicking zombies into electrified swimming pools—the "survival at all costs" theme remains the bridge between the art and the entertainment.
How to find the song for your own playlist
If you’re trying to add this to your Spotify or Apple Music, don’t just search for "Dead Island 2 theme." You might end up with the instrumental score. Search for "Stay Alive" by Femi Kuti.
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The song is about six minutes long in its original form. The game uses a clever edit to keep the energy high for the two-minute intro. The full version has a much longer build-up with a killer saxophone solo that you don't get to hear in the game's opening. Honestly, the full version is better for driving or working out.
Some fans have complained that the song doesn't appear enough during the game. I kind of get that. It’s such a strong start that when the game settles into its atmospheric exploration tracks, you miss that initial punch. However, Dambuster was smart to save it for the "big moments." It keeps the track from getting annoying.
Common misconceptions about the soundtrack
A big one: No, it’s not Fela Kuti. It’s his son, Femi. They sound similar because, well, DNA, but Femi’s production is a bit more modern.
Another one: People often think the song was written specifically for the game. Nope. As I mentioned, it’s over twenty years old. Dambuster just has an incredible music supervisor who realized a two-decade-old Nigerian funk song was the perfect match for a 2023 zombie slasher. It’s a testament to good taste.
What to do next if you're obsessed with the track
Don't just stop at the intro. If that specific sound scratched an itch for you, there are a few things you should check out to keep that "Hell-A" vibe going in your real life.
- Listen to the "Fight to Win" album: It’s where the song comes from. The whole album is a masterclass in rhythm.
- Check out the Dead Island 2 Official Soundtrack: It’s available on most streaming platforms. Look for the tracks by Ryan Williams if you want that creepy, synth-heavy atmosphere.
- Explore Afrobeat: If the horns and the drums are what got you, look up artists like Tony Allen or Ebo Taylor. It’s a rabbit hole worth falling down.
- Watch the 2014 Reveal Trailer again: Just for the sake of history. Compare "The Bomb" to "Stay Alive." It’s a fascinating look at how a game's identity changes over a long development cycle.
The Dead Island 2 intro song is a rare case where the licensed music actually defines the game's soul. It tells you to stop worrying, grab a machete, and enjoy the apocalypse. It’s bright, it’s loud, and it refuses to be depressed about the end of the world. Just like the game itself.