The real life Carl Johnson seems to have made his peace with his role in video game history.
YouTuber SWEGTA has a new video out explaining the history of rapper Young Maylay, who once made his name outside the music industry.
The Background Of Real-Life CJ – AKA Young Maylay
Maylay had been working in the West Coast hiphop scene since the year 2000 when he got scouted to play CJ by Rockstar. Maylay entered a conversation with DJ Pooh, where they just talked about the music industry.
What Maylay didn’t know is that the phone was put on speaker and Rockstar staff were listening in the whole time. They convinced Pooh to have Maylay audition, and later chose to have him play the lead of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Maylay has criticized Rockstar in the following years, for various reasons. He was not happy with royalties, but ultimately blamed his union for this. He did, however, also accuse Rockstar of being culture vultures.
But one major point of contention estranged him with the fans themselves.
Why Young Maylay Crashed Out On Grand Theft Auto Fans
As SWEGTA explains, Maylay had a crashout against Rockstar fans on social media. SWEGTA believes this was ultimately because of his sour relationship with Rockstar.
However, SWEGTA still lashed out at fans in the comments for not truly supporting him.
Later, Shawn “Solo” Fonteno reached out to Maylay to help hash things out in public. Solo played Franklin Clinton in the more recent Grand Theft Auto V. By coincidence, Solo and Maylay are also cousins.
In their conversation, which was streamed online, Maylay revealed that Rockstar had discouraged him from going to fan conventions at some point.
Upon learning this, Solo told him that he would help him get connected with the conventions so he could get this particular issue resolved.
Where Young Maylay Is With Grand Theft Auto Fans Today
SWEGTA reported that a few years after this conversation, Maylay is a changed man. He has now been going to conventions for years, and has embraced his fame as the voice of CJ.
In turn, Maylay has been encouraged as fans do ask about him, and what he’s done after the game. SWEGTA saw Maylay pick up some acting roles, and he’s even gotten in shape.
SWEGTA’s update doesn’t cover if Maylay has reached out with Rockstar or vice versa so they can make amends with each other. But if Maylay is happier now from the adulation of the fans, and a chance to make a living from that fame, that may be all that matters.
You can watch SWEGTA’s video below.
