Ghanaian highlife legend Pat Thomas is set to reach a new generation of listeners, as his song “Gye Wani,” featuring fellow Ghanaian music icon Ebo Taylor, has been selected for inclusion in Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6).
The song is among the African tracks featured on AfroBank FM, one of the in-game radio stations curated to showcase the depth and diversity of African music. Its inclusion brings a piece of Ghana’s rich highlife heritage into one of the most anticipated video games in the world.
AfroBank FM features a dynamic presenting duo: Burna, voiced by Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy, and Palmsy, voiced by DJ and producer Palms Trax. The station’s musical selection spans 20th-century African classics, lesser-known gems, and contemporary sounds, including amapiano and 3-step.
Alongside Pat Thomas and Ebo Taylor’s “Gye Wani,” the station’s featured tracks include Asake’s “Joha” and “Shay’sana” by DJ Lag and Robot Boii featuring Kamo Mphela. The selection brings together different generations and styles of African music, from established sounds to contemporary dance-floor favourites.
For Ghanaian music, the inclusion of “Gye Wani” offers another opportunity to introduce highlife to audiences who may be discovering the genre for the first time. Pat Thomas, widely celebrated for his contribution to Ghanaian music, has built a lasting legacy through his distinctive vocals and influential body of work, while Ebo Taylor remains one of the country’s most respected musicians and composers.
With “Gye Wani” joining the AfroBank FM playlist, GTA 6 places Ghanaian highlife alongside contemporary African sounds in a soundtrack designed to reflect the continent’s musical range.
The game’s use of African music could also encourage players to explore the artists and genres behind the songs, connecting a global gaming audience with sounds that have shaped generations of African music.
