The Unveiling of CJ's Triumphant Journey: GTA 5's Connection to GTA: San Andreas

Highlights

CJ's ploy in GTA: San Andreas to save Madd Dogg's career ended up being successful, as hinted by details in GTA 5.

Franklin's room in GTA 5 is filled with clues indicating his deep admiration for both Madd Dogg and Jimmy. This suggests that CJ's endeavors to revive Madd Dogg's career in the previous game were immensely fruitful, considering the significant time gap between the two games.

In Grand Theft Auto 5, there are subtle hints about CJ's past in San Andreas, indicating that one of his strategies ended up being successful in the long run. Despite the significant changes that occurred in Los Santos during the 20-year gap between San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto 5, traces of CJ's history can still be found. While the story doesn't delve deeply into the details of San Andreas, observant players will spot a few nods to the past.

When news broke that Grand Theft Auto 5 would be returning to San Andreas, it quickly became a major selling point for the game. Many fans still hold Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in high regard, considering it to be one of the best games in the series. However, in Grand Theft Auto 5, a fresh perspective is offered on San Andreas through a new storyline. While some familiar locations, such as the iconic Grove Street that CJ once called home, are revisited, the game primarily focuses on newer experiences.

CJ Really Saved Madd Dogg's Career in GTA: San Andreas

One infamous plotline from San Andreas revolves around OG Loc, a character widely regarded as one of the most irritating in the Grand Theft Auto series. Despite lacking talent, CJ, who has been friends with OG Loc since childhood, goes to great lengths to help him pursue a rap career. Unfortunately, this results in CJ inadvertently derailing the successful career of rapper Madd Dogg. In a twist of events, OG Loc repays CJ's efforts by betraying him at the earliest opportunity. However, burdened by guilt, CJ ultimately saves Madd Dogg's life and assists him in seeking revenge against OG Loc. As a result, by the end of the game, Madd Dogg's career appears to be back on track with CJ's assistance, while OG Loc's fame diminishes.

Although the extent of Madd Dogg's career is not extensively explored, players can find subtle clues within Franklin's house in GTA 5 that provide insights. As early as Franklin's initial mission aftermath, a poster featuring Madd Dogg can be observed in his room. As the storyline progresses and Franklin moves into a more luxurious residence, he continues to display the Madd Dogg poster, accompanied by a poster from one of Madd Dogg's tours and ticket stubs from one of his live concerts. It is worth noting that Franklin is not the sole admirer of Madd Dogg, as Jimmy also has some of Madd Dogg's CDs in his room.

The details may seem coincidental, but the timing between GTA 5 and San Andreas' setting in 1992 provides a convincing argument. Franklin was born in 1988, and if we assume he was at least 18 when attending the concert mentioned on the ticket stubs, it suggests that Madd Dogg continued touring until around 2006 - a span of 14 years after the events in San Andreas. This longevity implies that CJ's revival of Madd Dogg's career must have been highly successful, particularly in the unpredictable world of GTA.

Considering the losses he experienced and the fact that he no longer resides on Grove Street in GTA 5, CJ's journey can often feel thankless. Despite the challenges presented in GTA: San Andreas, it is reassuring to know that at least one of CJ's endeavors had a lasting impact.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is available now for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.