Players logging into Grand Theft Auto Online this week are in for a surprise when they discover who's behind the voice of their new AI assistant.
The latest update, A Safehouse in the Hills, introduces an AI concierge system voiced by none other than California hip-hop artist Big Tray Deee.
The rapper, whose real name is Tracy Lamar Davis, is best remembered for his memorable appearance in the 2001 comedy film "The Wash" that brought together some of the biggest names in hip-hop culture. That movie featured an all-star cast including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, DJ Pooh, and Shawn Fonteno, the voice actor and model likeness for Grand Theft Auto V protagonist Franklin Clinton.
The connection between Davis and the gaming world isn't as random as it might seem. DJ Pooh, who worked with Davis on their 2001 film project, was instrumental in bringing the rapper to Rockstar Games for this voice acting opportunity.
The rapper himself confirmed this on Instagram shortly following the release of the latest Grand Theft Auto content update.
It's worth noting that DJ Pooh also invited Shawn Fonteno for his now-iconic role in GTA V. The same creative pipeline that brought Franklin to Los Santos has now delivered OG to Vinewood Hills mansions.
DJ Pooh's has had huge hand in turning GTA into what it has become. He co-produced Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and brought Young Maylay to voice CJ. He served as creative consultant on GTA V while hosting West Coast Classics radio. When Snoop Dogg confirmed Dr. Dre's GTA involvement, it was DJ Pooh who made that collaboration happen.
For The Contract DLC featuring Dr. Dre, DJ Pooh personally demonstrated GTA Online to the skeptical rapper at his Calabasas mansion. Dre initially thought games were "for kids" before seeing the scope of what Rockstar had built.
As for Davis, he earned his reputation through genuine Long Beach roots. He debuted on Snoop Dogg's 1994 "Murder Was the Case" soundtrack before joining Tha Eastsidaz alongside Snoop and Goldie Loc. Their debut album went platinum in 2000, and Davis toured with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube on the legendary Up in Smoke Tour.
His authentic voice shines in GTA Online. The character greets mansion owners with "What's cracking, homie?" and uses street-wise dialogue that will have you wanting to play GTA: San Andreas, which, by the way, has been a huge hit on Netflix so far but is expected to leave the streaming service's surprisingly robust gaming library soon.
This casting reinforces Rockstar's commitment to celebrity authenticity in major GTA Online updates. Dr. Dre's journey from his cameo in The Cayo Perico Heist to starring in The Contract proved that big names elevate GTA Online's narrative ambitions.
Big Tray Deee is a continuation of this. His voice carries decades of West Coast hip-hop history directly into players' virtual mansions, connecting GTA Online's present to a 2001 film that unknowingly assembled future voices of Los Santos.
For long-time fans who remember San Andreas, hearing OG feels like coming home.
Speaking of home, Michael De Santa is finally in GTA Online, just in time for a potential reunion with Franklin and Trevor Phillips.
