- published: 20 Nov 2009
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South Central Cartel is a Los Angeles-based gangsta rap group. Some of their popular songs include "U Gotta Deal Wit Dis", "Pops Was a Rolla", "Ya Getz Clowned", "Gang Stories", "Servin 'Em Heat", "Knocc on Wood" (Remix), and "All Day Everyday" & "Eastside-Westside" & "It's an S.C.C Thang" .
As one of the original early-'90s West Coast gangsta collectives to follow N.W.A.'s lead, South Central Cartel first appeared with their debut album South Central Madness in 1991, before releasing a succession of albums throughout the remainder of the decade. After their follow-up, 1994s 'N Gatz We Truss, generated a sizable amount of attention in the gangsta rap underground. Def Jam Recordings signed the group, eventually resulting in their most commercially successful album, 1997s All Day Everyday.
During this same era, group leaders Havoc & Prodeje together released a string of albums on Pump Records as well, helping garner a small yet healthy cult audience. Despite their lack of mainstream success, the group does stand alongside fellow early-'90s West Coast colleagues such as N.W.A., Compton's Most Wanted, and Above the Law as gangsta rap pioneers.
Robert L. Green, Jr., better known by his stage name Spice 1, is an American rapper born in Corsicana, Texas. He has consistently been releasing solo and group albums since 1992. Spice 1 was ranked number 56 in The Source magazine's Top 115 Hip-Hop Artists from 1988–2003. His self-titled debut was also listed in The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
His rap name is a acronym for "Sex, Pistols, Indo, Cash, and Entertainment". He was first discovered by rapper Too Short. His first release, Let It Be Known EP, was not well known or widely released, and included seven old-school style tracks. His self-titled debut album Spice 1 was a very vivid and fatalistic gangsta rap album, and his angry, edgy, and pessimistic rapping style and tone only added to the despair emanating from the disc. He followed it with an even more bitter and nihilistic release, 187 He Wrote in 1993, complete with simulated gunfire. Spice 1 managed to release six albums under Jive records along with one greatest hits album. It was reported by Jive that he has an album called "Full Metal Jacket", which was supposed to release under Jive. However, Spice 1 stated in many interviews that this information was false. It was something Jive wanted to push him into releasing, but he never agreed to do so. Therefore, the album was never released and it is uncertain whether or not songs for this album were used for future albums or if any songs were even recorded for this project.
[HAVIKK]
Lookin through a window, thinkin' of a mission
Hear gunshots, another homeboy missin
The streets, crazy as hell but what a brother know?
A drive-by in a black 6-4
Who did it and why? Another gang cause they hate him
The person they killed, he wasn't even gangbangin
Comin' from school, mindin his own alone
But it's the homeboy's brother, so I guess it's on
16 - dead, missin' half his face
His family screams and he dream of a better place
You're either down or out
I'ma stay down and talk loud
Put on my khakis and still walk proud
It's either do do or die or get done for nuthin'
I won't run from a gun, nigga, shoot me some
I'ma die a ?full? death, it's ignorant still
But it's ill cause sometimes people have to kill
You put your flags on, Locs on, claims the ????
And get your jack on, sometimes you get blown away
You wanna live in fear but it's tragic
An innocent child in another closed casket
[L.V.]
I'm thinkin' about my brother
Been thinkin' about my future
I got to get off the streets and work it out
And face reality...
[HAVIKK]
A closed casket because he didn't have no face
Lost in space and his brother has the only trace
Say, brethren, is you simply get a Uzi and blast?
Are you sure to get away, or does it matter to ask?
[PRODEJE]
I know you feel kinda guilty cause they thought he was you
And everybody in the hood makes you wanna pursuit
The others brothers from the gang that you shot at first
And now you roll in limousines and your brother a hearse
[HAVIKK]
I couldn't doubt if it was me, I wouldn't wanna do a murder
[PRODEJE]
Yeah, I might slip just a lil' bit further
[HAVIKK]
We livin' in a ghetto and the ghetto is a kettle
Sittin' on the furnace and it won't let go
[PRODEJE]
You feel guilty so you shoot back and you hit black
And they hit back, another black's ??????
[HAVIKK]
Another mother in tears, another kid in the grave
[PRODEJE]
The Lord gave us the freedom but till death we're enslaved
[L.V.]
I'm thinkin' about my brother
And thinkin' about my future
I got to get off the streets and work it out
And face reality
Cause I know one day I will see a vision
Of the other side, oh no no...
[PRODEJE]
And what a mother, because you wanna gee, she face danger
Shootin' at the house and she just a stranger to a banger
The brother of the brother you shot
Now your brother was got, your boy, you're ready to pop
At the park you look gee'd, mad, even notorious
You carry your rag, your reputation, it embroils
Yeah, you can murder and you won't be phased
But when the death hits home to the death you a slave
Boy, your grave will take a Uzi and retaliate
Are you afraid of the fact that it might be bait?
Because I heard a lil' rumour on the L.A. streets
That tell the price on your head, can you face the G?
Your homeboys might help, but maybe they won't
Maybe they can use dollars, are you gettin the point?
Cause it's straight game and death's no joke
You better get out of the fire or you smell the smoke
It's no jokin', I became a G because I had to
(So the streets took control of you)
I'm a gangsta, a gangsta on a new L.P.
A closed casket, a mother and the S.C.C.