Young Maylay Interview: Voicing CJ in GTA: San Andreas, Waiting for GTA 6, and More

Only in the past couple of years has Christopher Bellard, better known as Young Maylay, the voice of Carl Johnson in GTA: San Andreas, begun to receive the recognition he deserves, appearing at events alongside the trio from Grand Theft Auto V. However, the musician had not given interviews before.

• His first game in the series was GTA: Vice City.
• One day, DJ Pooh — who was already working actively with Rockstar Games at the time — called him, and they spent about 15 minutes talking about the beats the artist wanted. Shortly after, the producer called back and revealed that their conversation had been on speakerphone, with company representatives in the same room. When asked why he hadn’t warned him, he said the developers wanted to hear his real voice — without preparation or overacting. That’s how Chris landed the lead role.
• Young Maylay provided CJ voice, while the character’s appearance had already been finalized by the time the rapper joined the project. He was already in his tank top and jeans.
• Some say his voice doesn’t sound all that similar anymore, but he points out it’s been over 20 years — and back then he was smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
• The work was intense — he spent 10-12, sometimes up to 14 hours in the recording booth.
• He doesn’t recall recording any moans or sounds for what became known as Hot Coffee.
• Christopher was personally directed by Dan Houser during production.
• He didn’t have influence over the written story, but occasionally adjusted certain lines, since that’s not how people talk in Los Angeles.
• While playing the game, he was genuinely struck by Ryder — his neighborhood friend — turning out to be a traitor.
• Possibly because he stayed in touch with MC Eiht, who voiced the character, as well as Yo-Yo, who played Kendl.
• San Andreas: The Original Mixtape, released in 2005, opens with a track featuring an instrumental from the game — one he recorded last.
• It was his first experience voicing a video game — and likely his last. He doesn’t want to take part in anything that wouldn’t reach the same level. However, he’s open to working on cartoons, animated series, comics, and even anime. He remains focused on his music career, is currently touring with Ice Cube, and recently had a small role in the film Kings of L.A. (2023).
• He would accept any offer from Rockstar.
• He was happy for his cousin Shawn Fonteno when it was revealed he had landed the role of Franklin — one of the protagonists of GTA 5. Though he was also a bit upset, since his cousin hadn’t told him anything, and Chris found out at the same time as everyone else.
• He doesn’t know anything about GTA 6 beyond what’s already public — but like everyone else, he’s looking forward to it.

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