How Cyberpunk 2077 Pays Homage to Legendary Rockstars

Highlights

• Cyberpunk 2077 celebrates classic rock through references in main quests and nods to iconic bands and songs.
• Kerry Eurodyne’s storyline delves into the music industry, exploring themes like artistic freedom and rock’s power.
• Johnny Silverhand’s impact on the game is seen through his rock band Samurai and the lasting influence of their music.

CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 was released back in 2020 and it became a cult-favorite for its dystopian and futuristic themes in no time. Although it’s a narrative-focused and character-driven game, the developers have placed countless references and homages throughout its plot, which, when combined with the game’s unique elements, bring the Night City to life. One of the biggest influences in the game, however, is in the form of the bands and musical acts that the in-game music pays homage to — the legends of classic rock, in particular.

Many of these references and homages are evident on the surface, including the fact that the game’s secondary protagonist, Johnny Silverhand, is himself a rockstar. Music, therefore, plays a major role in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, especially the underworld of rock that is populated by acts like Silverhand’s band Samurai, and the supporting character Kerry Eurodyne, who later branched off from Silverhand to pursue his own solo act as a musician. While the game itself carries much more nuance than just a vibrant music scene, it pays homage to legendary rockstars in subtle ways throughout.

How Cyberpunk 2077 Celebrates the Rock Music Industry

Cyberpunk 2077‘s Night City truly comes to life only when the massive role classic rock and its subgenres play in its plot are accounted for. These themes are incorporated into the core of the main storyline, as well as many quests in the game. Some of the biggest quests in the game, for instance, are named after famous rock songs, including We Gotta Live Together and Burning Desire, both made by the legendary Jimi Hendrix, and Stairway to Heaven, which, of course, is a reference to the one and only Led Zeppelin. The references don’t end just here, though. There are dozens of missions named after classic rock, punk, indie, and metal songs in the game, which puts CD Projekt Red’s love for music on display.

Kerry Eurodyne’s Storyline Also Pays Homage to the Music Industry

Kerry Eurodyne is one of the most significant side characters in Cyberpunk 2077, boasting an entire side storyline. Eurodyne is a founding member of Silverhand’s famous band Samurai, and he eventually leaves the group to pursue his own career and make a name for himself. By the time V and the player catch up to him in 2077, Kerry is one of the biggest musical acts in Night City and a genuine rockstar with millions of fans all over the world.

Eurodyne’s story is an interesting one because it thrusts the player deep into the world of Night City, and examines the relationship music labels have with their artists. Kerry’s storyline does well to represent an artist’s musical journey and deals with themes of free speech, artistic freedom, and the power of rock. V and Kerry eventually work out their differences with another rival pop group, play in a concert, and destroy the label boss’ yacht. Toward the conclusion, V actually helps Kerry find the spark he’s been missing for years — with a perfect rock guitar riff, one that inspires him to create another album and go on tour. This is a perfect example of how important the role of rock music is in the story.

Johnny Silverhand’s Rock Band Also Has a Major Impact on Night City

Johnny Silverhand arguably has the biggest impact on the story of the game. In 2023, he led an attack on the Arasaka Towers, and comes back in 2077 to influence V to continue the fight. Much of his legacy and impact in the game flows in the form of his old band, Samurai, and the fans it picked up throughout the years.

While Silverhand used Samurai to deliver political messages, the band’s rock music is what stands the test of time, with V finding dozens of diehard Samurai fans roaming Night City streets, offering old vinyl and replicas of Johnny’s famous guitar throughout the story of Cyberpunk 2077. Perhaps most notably, there’s the iconic Samurai jacket, which mirrors how rock music fans in real life have always paid tributes to their favorite bands and artists.