Husalah

Emerging from Pittsburg, CA, the Jacka drew early inspiration from regional figures C-Bo, Mac Dre, and Too Short. In the late '90s he joined the Mob Figaz, contributing to numerous group albums and mixtapes, then stepped out on his own in 2001 with a self-titled debut. The Jack Artist followed in 2005 as his sophomore effort, after which he issued a string of mixtapes and independent street releases. Ozone magazine recognized him with its Patiently Waiting: California award in 2008, underscoring the West Coast's keen expectation for his subsequent project. That album, Tear Gas, reached listeners the next year alongside the single "Glamorous Lifestyle," both appearing on the SMC imprint.