These Songs & DJs Are on the NBA 2K16 Soundtrack

The release of NBA 2K16 is still a few months away, but we’re finally learning more about one of the cultural icon’s most important features: it’s soundtrack. This week video game publisher 2K and developer Visual Concepts revealed more NBA 2K16 soundtrack details including the industry artists it has slated to make an appearance.

It was on the NBA 2K16 Twitter profile that Visual Concepts and 2K Games revealed more about the NBA 2K16 soundtrack. The first public Twitter message about the soundtrack revealed that there are six different in-game playlists for players to choose from. NBA 2K16 allows users to change its playlists because music part of the game’s allure in the same way that it’s a big deal culturally when an athlete makes it to the cover of NBA 2K.

Read: NBA 2K16: 5 Things to Know

To add even more flavor to the NBA 2K16 soundtrack, two of those musical choices will be layered in on top of the other three. A combined “master” playset will feature tracks from all the other playlists. Another 2K Classics mix-tape focuses on bringing back songs and favorites from past games in the series.

#NBA2K16's soundtrack will feature SIX in-game playlists, three by each producer, an international "Around the World" playlist and… (1/2)

— NBA 2K19 (@NBA2K) July 9, 2015

(2/2)… a 2K Classics Mix-tape which will feature fan fav's with a master playlist that includes all 50 tracks from this year's selection!

— NBA 2K19 (@NBA2K) July 9, 2015

A separate, more detailed report about the NBA 2K16 soundtrack comes from video game website Game Informer. According to the outlet, DJ Mustard, DJ Khaled and DJ Premiere will all have their own curated playlist in the game. This means that their fans will be able play the game for hours and only listen to their music. Unfortunately, 2K Games hasn’t shared the full contents of the NBA 2K16 soundtrack just yet, but we know Blitzkrieg Bop from The Ramones, Represent from Nas and I Want You to Know by Zedd are all featured.

With the NBA 2K16 release already set for September 29th, the only thing left to do now is wait for the game to arrive on store shelves. We already know a great deal about the game and the upgrades that players can expect.

Featured on the cover of NBA 2K16 are three of the NBA’s most high-profile athletes. James Harden of the Houston Rockets will lend his likeness to one NBA 2K16 cover. Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans will appear on the second cover. The third NBA 2K16 cover is dominated by Stephen Curry, who is fresh off an NBA title win last season.

Just above all of their names and faces is a new production credit. Since working with rapper with Jay-Z, Visual Concepts and 2K Sports have kept a steady stream of guest stars and production powerhouses on staff to make every game in the yearly series fresh and interesting. NBA 2K16 is “A Spike Lee Joint.” The famed director and writer signed on to the franchise this year for production assistant and cultural direction. MyCareer will feature video footage shot on location by Lee. It’s story – a rags to riches tale – is written by Lee too. Spike Lee is a huge New York Kicks fans.

The NBA 2K16 release date may be set for September 29th, but that date is more of a suggestion than a hard release. Like 2014’s Call of Duty Advanced Warfare, NBA 2K16 will be available early to anyone committed enough to place a pre-order at a participating retailer like GameStop. 2K is calling this Early Tip-Off Weekend and users who pre-order ahead of release get NBA 2K16 on Friday, September 25th instead of September 29th. Users also get a MyTeam VIP and 10,000 in Virtual Currency to spend in the games MyCareer mode.