Cartel de Santa

Mexican hardcore rap group Cartel de Santa made their eponymous full-length debut in 2003 and grew increasingly popular with each subsequent album release. Founded in 1996 in Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, Mexico, the group was originally comprised of MC Babo (born Eduardo Dávalos de Luna), MC Dharius, producer Rowan Rabia, and DJ Agustín. In association with West Coast rap producer/engineer Jason Roberts, best known for his work with Cypress Hill, Cartel de Santa made their self-titled album debut in 2003 on RCA Records. Featuring the hit singles "Perros," "Todos Mueren por Mi," and "La Pelotona," the album garnered significant acclaim in the Mexican rap scene, which was in a state of limbo following the dissolution of the movement's leading group, Control Machete. A year later they released Cartel de Santa, Vol. 2 (2004), which spawned another round of singles ("Blah, Blah, Blah," "La Llamada," "El Arte del Enga?o") and featured guest appearances by Julieta Venegas, Tego Calderón, and Ariana Puello. Shortly after the release of third album Volumen ProIIIbido (2006), which featured the hit single "Cheka Wey," MC Babo was imprisoned for accidentally shooting someone in his entourage. While he did nine months' time in prison, Sony BMG released the compilation album Greatest Hits (2007). It wasn't long before Cartel de Santa returned with Cartel de Santa, Vol. 4 (2008), which featured the single "Hay Mamita" and spoke to the shooting incident. Fifth album Sincopa (2010) was the group's first to reach the Top Ten of the Mexican albums chart. In 2013, MC Dharius left the group. Their first album without him was 2014's Golpe Avisa. Viejo Marihuano followed two years later. ~ Jason Birchmeier