‘GTA Online’: Franklin returns to help Dr. Dre retrieve his stolen phone containing unreleased music

The next update to “GTA Online” is going to be star-studded. Rockstar Games announced the online multiplayer’s next storyline would not only see the return of “GTA V” main protagonist Franklin Clinton, but it will also feature the iconic rapper and music producer, Dr. Dre.

The upcoming “GTA Online” storyline, titled “The Contract,” takes place some years after the events of the “GTA V” campaign. Long-time fans should then expect to see Franklin a few years older. While hustle is still part of Franklin’s day-to-day, he is now running his company called F. Clinton and Partner, which Rockstar describes as an up-and-coming “celebrity solutions agency.”

While Dr. Dre will appear as himself in the “GTA Online” storyline, the premise of his inclusion in “The Contract” is fictional. In the announcement post, Rockstar says Dr. Dre went to Cayo Perico, where he lost his phone. Unfortunately, the phone was not taken by just any random robber. Rockstar says the music producer’s phone — containing his unreleased music — ended up “in the wrong hands,” risking it to be leaked.

However, Dr. Dre’s problem is just the opportunity Franklin needs. His agency needs a partner and a “high-profile client,” just like Dr. Dre. “GTA Online” players will join Franklin’s next hustle with the rest of his crew, including the hacker Imani and Chop the Dog, to retrieve Dr. Dre’s phone and prevent the unofficial release of his music.

Music is obviously going to be a major feature in “GTA Online - The Contract.” Rockstar has also confirmed that the upcoming storyline will mark the release of a new radio station, along with all-new updates for existing radios in the game.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dre’s appearance in “GTA Online” should not be so surprising. His long-time friend and collaborator, Snoop Dogg, revealed in October that Dr. Dre was busy in the studio at the time making music for a “GTA” game. At the time, though, it was not clear for what “GTA” title Dr. Dre’s music was going to be, so it naturally sparked speculations that he could be working on something for the unannounced “GTA 6.”

“I do know he’s making great f*****g music. And some of his music is connected to the GTA game that’s coming out,” Snoop Dogg said in a Rolling Stone interview published in October. “So I think that that will be the way that his music will be released, through the GTA video game.” “GTA Online - The Contract” will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 15.