Biography:
As one of the original early-`90s West Coast gangsta collectives to follow NWA`s lead, South Central Cartel first appeared with their debut album South Central Madness in early 1992 before releasing a succession of albums throughout the remainder of the decade. After their follow-up, 1994`s N Gatz We Truss, generated a sizable amount of attention in the gangsta rap underground, Def Jam signed the group, eventually resulting in their most realized album, 1997`s All Day Everyday. During this same era, group leaders Havoc and Prodeje released a string of albums on Quality Records as well, helping garner a small yet healthy cult audience. Unfortunately, Def Jam dropped the group in the late `90s, and they ended up releasing the relatively disappointing Concrete Jungle, Vol. 1 on an indie label, which signaled their plummet into oblivion. Despite their lack of commercial success, the group does stand alongside fellow early-`90s West Coast collectives such as NWA, Compton`s Most Wanted, and Above the Law as gangsta rap pioneers.
