In the early to mid-80s, South Central LA was a war-zone as the Crack Epidemic ravaged the city. Amidst this chaos, a group of soldiers who were rapping and trapping emerged, blending funk and rhythm to create a new sound that reflected the harsh realities of life on the streets.

These guys weren’t just making music – they were making a statement. The South Central Cartel, pioneers of the gangsta rap genre, and they shook the music scene to its core with their debut album, “South Central Madness.” Their gritty lyrics and hard-hitting beats stood shoulder to shoulder with the likes of NWA, Compton’s Most Wanted, Above the Law, Da Lench Mob, and Snoop Dogg.

Headed up by Prodeje and Havoc, the original SCC lineup included Havikk The Rhimeson, LV, DJ Kaos1, DJ Gripp, and Luva G. Young Prodeje/Cali Pitts made his first appearance on “N Gatz We Truss” and became an official Cartel member on “All Day Everyday.” Their collaboration and contribution to the culture fearlessly embraced their perspective on gang affiliation, automatic weapons, and violent crime. “South Central Madness” paved the way for a new era of hip-hop, bridging the gap between East Coast dominance and the G-Funk sound of the West.

SCC’s influence on not only West Coast hip-hop but the entire scene, in general, cannot be overstated. Their music was heavily influenced by their experiences

growing up in South Central LA, and their lyrics often addressed topics such as gang violence, police brutality, and poverty. Despite their success, SCC never lost sight of their roots, they didn’t just talk the talk – they walked the walk. and remained involved in various community outreach programs, supporting at-risk youth and local charities.

With label affiliations ranging from Pump Records, Def Jam West, Warner Bros. Records, G.W.K. Records, MCA Records, Warlock Records and Quality Records The SCC released a string of successful albums, including but not limited to these albums mentioned.• “South Central Madness” (1991): This was the group’s debut album, released on Pump Records and distributed by Quality Records. It reached #46 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Featured image by DJ Domino.

SOURCE: Official Bio

LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/officialsouthcentralcartel
https://southcentralcartel.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/sccgang/
https://www.youtube.com/@Theofficialsouthcentralcartel
https://tidal.com/artist/3815634/u
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/south-central-cartel/1971959
https://open.spotify.com/artist/492BTrKk9HdCmjgLZ3vjbo