Carl "CJ" Johnson from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is rightfully considered one of the most recognizable characters in video game history. His voice, speech mannerisms, and signature intonations are remembered even by those who haven't launched the game in years. However, behind the Los Santos hero stands a real musician who had virtually no acting experience before working with Rockstar Games. His story—from a casual phone call to recording the voice of the cult game's protagonist—reveals how a rapper from South Los Angeles became a part of 2000s pop culture.
The World of San Andreas: A Story That Became an Era
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, released by Rockstar Games in 2004, transports the player to the fictional state of San Andreas, modeled after early 1990s California. The events begin with Carl Johnson's return to his native Los Santos after a five-year absence, triggered by the death of his mother, Beverly Johnson. At home, he is met by his brother Sean "Sweet" Johnson, sister Kendl, and old friends from the Grove Street Families gang. However, his former life doesn't welcome the hero with open arms—the neighborhood has changed, the gang has lost some of its influence, and rival factions control the streets. CJ has to restore the standing of the Grove Street Families, deal with family conflicts, and confront his own past. Eventually, the adventures stretch far beyond Los Santos: players visit San Fierro and Las Venturas, run businesses, and get entangled in increasingly grand criminal stories.
Freedom and the Atmosphere of the 1990s: Why San Andreas Became Iconic
One of the key reasons for San Andreas's popularity was its unprecedented freedom of action. Players could change CJ's appearance, work out at the gym, buy clothes and property, drive cars, fly planes, and simply explore a massive open world. Equally important was the atmosphere of the era: Los Angeles street culture, West Coast hip-hop, period-accurate vehicles, and radio stations featuring music of various genres. Thanks to this combination, the game became not just a criminal thriller, but a recognizable portrait of an entire era, ensuring its lasting legacy in the memories of players.
Who Voiced CJ: Young Maylay
Behind Carl Johnson's voice is American rapper Young Maylay, whose real name is Christopher Bellard. Born on June 17, 1979, in Los Angeles, he grew up in South Los Angeles, where his musical preferences and interest in hip-hop were shaped. For Bellard, working on San Andreas was his first experience voicing video games. During the casting process, the musician read excerpts from the movie script for Menace II Society—this helped the developers assess how organically he conveyed the street life atmosphere they wanted to recreate in the game. Despite lacking an acting background, his voice fit the character so precisely that today many players find it difficult to imagine CJ speaking any other way.
How the Rapper Got Into Rockstar Games: The Role of DJ Pooh
Young Maylay's introduction to Rockstar Games happened thanks to DJ Pooh, an American music producer who worked on the GTA: San Andreas soundtrack. In interviews, Bellard shared that at first, he had no idea he was auditioning for a video game role. DJ Pooh called him on the phone, and they discussed musical beats for about 15 minutes. Only later did the producer reveal that the conversation had been on speakerphone, with Rockstar Games representatives listening in. The developers liked the rapper's natural conversational style and invited him to an audition. After several selection rounds, Bellard landed the role of Carl Johnson.
From Voice Acting to Music: Career After San Andreas
Despite CJ's massive popularity, Young Maylay didn't limit himself to acting work. His main passion remained hip-hop, specifically West Coast hip-hop, closely tied to California's musical culture. Following the release of GTA: San Andreas, the rapper capitalized on gamers' interest in his name and continued developing his own music. In 2005, he released San Andreas: The Original Mixtape, a project whose very title directly references the game. His next notable release was The Real Coast Guard (2008), created in collaboration with DJ Crazy Toones. Bellard's work became part of the exact same hip-hop atmosphere that made players fall in love with San Andreas.
A GTA Family Dynasty: A Cousin Behind Franklin's Wheel
Young Maylay's family features another person well known to Grand Theft Auto fans. His cousin is Shawn Fonteno, who voiced Franklin Clinton in GTA 5. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Fonteno confirmed his familial tie to Young Maylay and shared that his cousin was the one who played CJ. Notably, Shawn himself also appeared in GTA: San Andreas, voicing a member of the Grove Street Families. Thus, two relatives became woven into the saga of the Los Santos gang across two generations of the franchise, making their connection to the Grand Theft Auto series a truly family affair.
