As I explore the neon-drenched streets of Night City in 2025, one character continues to captivate me long after the credits roll: Lizzy Wizzy. Portrayed by the avant-garde musician Grimes, this cybernetic pop icon represents the perfect fusion of real-world artistry and dystopian fiction. But as CD Projekt Red develops Project Orion, the highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, I can't help but wonder: could another artist bring the same magnetic energy to Night City's music scene? Grimes' casting wasn't just a celebrity cameo—it was a masterstroke of world-building that blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
Why Grimes' Casting Worked So Well
When I first encountered Lizzy Wizzy in Cyberpunk 2077, I immediately understood why Grimes was the perfect choice. The character isn't just a superficial imitation of a futuristic artist—she embodies the very themes that Grimes explores in her own music. Lizzy Wizzy's radical cyberware modifications and boundary-pushing performances feel authentic because they're performed by someone who genuinely understands experimental artistry. Remember that infamous scene where she stops her heart mid-performance? That's the kind of artistic commitment that only a real musician could convey convincingly.
What makes this collaboration so effective? Let me break it down:
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Authentic Representation: Grimes' real-life persona aligns perfectly with Cyberpunk's themes of transhumanism and technological integration
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Musical Credibility: The original tracks recorded for the game feel genuinely cutting-edge rather than manufactured
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Cultural Relevance: Having an actual innovative artist play an innovative in-game character creates powerful meta-commentary
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Emotional Resonance: Lizzy Wizzy doesn't feel like a corporate creation but like a living, breathing artist within Night City's ecosystem
Potential Successors for Project Orion
As Project Orion development continues, the opportunity to introduce new musical voices to Night City excites me. While Grimes could potentially reprise her role, imagine the creative possibilities of featuring different artists who could bring fresh perspectives to Cyberpunk's world. Here are the artists I believe could make incredible contributions:
| Artist | Why They Fit Cyberpunk's World | Potential Character Archetype |
|---|---|---|
| Bjork | Decades of experimental electronic music exploring nature vs technology | Mysterious sound sculptor questioning Night City's artificiality |
| Thom Yorke (Radiohead) | Master of dystopian anxiety and technological alienation | Cynical composer critiquing corporate control |
| FKA Twigs | Fusion of ancient spirituality and futuristic sounds | Ritualistic performer exploring cybernetic spirituality |
| Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross | Pioneers of industrial music perfect for Night City's grit | Underground resistance musicians fighting the corps |
| Dorian Electra | Gender-fluid performance art and hyperpop innovation | Radical nonconformist challenging Night City's norms |
Expanding Beyond Lizzy Wizzy's Template
What fascinates me most about potential new musical collaborations is that they don't need to simply recreate Lizzy Wizzy. Project Orion could explore entirely different facets of Night City's art scene through diverse artist perspectives. Imagine Father John Misty as a folk singer critiquing corporate capitalism from a dive bar in Pacifica, or Charli XCX bringing hyperpop energy to the city's elite clubs. The possibilities are endless!
Consider these potential narrative directions:
🎵 The Corporate Sellout: An artist who compromised their integrity for Arasaka sponsorship
🎵 The Underground Revolutionary: A musician using their art to organize anti-corporate resistance
🎵 The Traditionalist: An acoustic performer rejecting cyberware in favor of "organic" artistry
🎵 The AI Collaborator: An artist creating music in partnership with rogue artificial intelligence
Why Musical Authenticity Matters in Cyberpunk
As I reflect on what made Lizzy Wizzy so memorable, I realize it's the authenticity that Grimes brought to the role. In a genre often criticized for superficial world-building, having real musicians contribute to the game's cultural landscape makes Night City feel lived-in and believable. The music isn't just background noise—it's an essential component of the world's identity.
Could Project Orion elevate this approach even further? I believe so. By collaborating with artists who genuinely engage with Cyberpunk's core themes—technological anxiety, corporate control, transhumanism—the developers could create a richer, more immersive experience. The right musical partnership could even influence the game's narrative direction, much like how Grimes' performance informed Lizzy Wizzy's character depth.
The Future of Music in Night City
Looking ahead to Project Orion's release, I'm excited by the prospect of discovering new musical dimensions to Night City. Whether CD Projekt Red brings back Grimes or introduces fresh artistic voices, the integration of real musicians into the game's fabric has proven to be a winning formula. The conversation between fiction and reality, between game developers and musical innovators, creates something truly special—an experience that resonates long after we've closed the game.
What musical directions would you like to see explored in Project Orion? The possibilities are as vast and varied as Night City itself, and I can't wait to see which artists help shape its future soundscape.