Dre'Quan Priest

Overview

Dre'Quan Priest is a supporting character in Grand Theft Auto VI who operates as a music industry figure in Vice City. Before entering the music business, Dre'Quan dealt drugs on the streets of Vice City to make ends meet. He eventually transitioned from street hustling to artist management and label operations, channeling his ambition into building Only Raw Records alongside his business partner Boobie Ike.

Background

Dre'Quan's trajectory mirrors a story that is common in Vice City: someone who grew up in difficult circumstances and turned to the drug trade as a means of survival. What sets Dre'Quan apart is that he recognized an opportunity in the music scene and made the leap from dealer to mogul. His street experience gives him a certain credibility and toughness that serves him well in the cutthroat music industry, where negotiation tactics and an understanding of hustle culture are just as important as musical talent.

Together with Boobie Ike, Dre'Quan co-founded Only Raw Records, a hip-hop label based in Vice City. Dre'Quan handles the management side of the operation, scouting talent, negotiating deals, and guiding the creative direction of the label's roster. His biggest signing to date is the rap duo Real Dimez (Bae-Luxe and Roxy), who scored a hit five years before the events of the game but have struggled to follow it up. Dre'Quan is investing heavily in the duo, hoping their next release will be the breakthrough that puts Only Raw Records on the national stage.

Only Raw Records

Only Raw Records is the hip-hop label that Dre'Quan manages alongside investor Boobie Ike. The label operates out of Boobie's recording studio in Vice City and aims to capitalize on Leonida's growing hip-hop scene. The current roster includes Real Dimez and a local rapper known as DWNPLY. Dre'Quan's goal is to expand the label's reach beyond Vice City and establish it as a serious player in the music industry.

Personality

Dre'Quan is characterized by his relentless ambition and street-smart business instincts. He carries the confidence of someone who clawed his way out of poverty through sheer determination, and he applies that same energy to his music career. He is not content to run a small local label; he wants Only Raw Records to be a major force. This drive makes him a compelling character, but also one whose ambition could lead him into risky territory.

His partnership with Boobie Ike works because the two men bring complementary skills to the table. Boobie provides the capital and the established business infrastructure (the recording studio, the connections), while Dre'Quan brings the hustle, the street credibility, and the ear for talent. Together, they represent a formidable team in Vice City's entertainment landscape.

Rumored Voice Actor

Actor Reggie Talley, best known for playing Abraham Drew in Starz's Power Book III: Raising Kanan, is rumored to voice Dre'Quan Priest. The connection surfaced in 2022 when fans discovered that Talley had listed a voice role for a project codenamed "Fireball" on his professional resume. The codename "Fireball" had already been linked to Grand Theft Auto VI by industry insiders, with some suggesting it referenced the Miami Heat basketball team's flaming ball logo. Talley subsequently removed the listing from his resume, which fans interpreted as evidence of a Rockstar NDA enforcement rather than a disproval. His background in portraying young, ambitious characters navigating street life aligns closely with Dre'Quan's profile. This remains widely rumored but unconfirmed by Rockstar Games.

Music Industry Ambitions

Dre'Quan is described as someone who "was always more of a hustler than a gangster," with breaking into the music industry as his driving goal even when he was dealing on the streets to make ends meet. His business sense and ear for talent set him apart from the typical criminal archetypes found in Vice City. As the operational manager of Only Raw Records, Dre'Quan handles the day-to-day business of scouting talent, booking shows, and building the label's reputation. His biggest find so far has been signing Real Dimez (the duo of Bae-Luxe and Roxy) as the label's first artists. His deep connections to the underground hip-hop scene in Vice City give him access to emerging talent that bigger labels overlook.

Relationship with Boobie Ike

Dre'Quan's partnership with Boobie Ike is central to both characters' stories. Boobie is the primary investor behind Only Raw Records, while Dre'Quan provides the creative vision and street-level connections. Before launching the label, Dre'Quan spent time booking acts at Boobie's Jack of Hearts strip club, which gave him firsthand experience managing performers and understanding what audiences respond to.

Now that Dre'Quan has signed the Real Dimez and is building a legitimate record label, his days of booking acts at the strip club may be numbered. This shift represents a potential source of tension: Boobie invested in Dre'Quan expecting returns, and if the label succeeds, Dre'Quan may outgrow the need for Boobie's backing entirely. Rockstar's official description notes that the partnership with Dre'Quan is what Boobie is "most invested in," suggesting this dynamic will be a significant narrative thread.

Character Details