10 Things You Didn’t Know About Herlem Gangs And Gangsters

A Sigprosemi-automatic pistol by Augustas Didžgalvis – Wikimedia commons

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Herlem Gangs And Gangsters

The Black Mafia was one of the most prominent criminal organizations in Harlem at the time. Led by Stephanie St. Clair, also known as “Queenie,” the group controlled the illegal numbers game, a form of lottery that was popular in African American communities. St. Clair was known for her flamboyant style and her willingness to stand up to the police and other rival gangs.

The Harlem Mob was another powerful criminal organization that operated in the area during the Harlem Renaissance. Led by infamous gangsters like “Big” Jack Zelig and Dutch Schultz, the group controlled various criminal enterprises, including bootlegging, gambling, and protection rackets. They were known for their brutality and willingness to use violence to achieve their goals.

The Harlem Rattlers were a gang of African American soldiers who had served in World War I. Upon returning home, they found themselves facing discrimination and unemployment, which led some of them to turn to a life of crime. The gang was involved in various illegal activities, including robbery and extortion.

2. Black Spades is amongest the most notorious gangs in Herlem

 The Black Spades was a street gang that was founded in the South Bronx in 1968 by Afrika Bambaataa, a DJ and community activist. The group started out as a loose affiliation of young people who were looking for a sense of belonging and identity in a neighborhood that was struggling with poverty, violence, and social upheaval. Bambaataa saw the potential in the gang members and decided to channel their energy into more positive endeavors.

Under Bambaataa’s leadership, the Black Spades began to focus on hip-hop culture and community organizing. They organized block parties and other events that brought together young people from different neighborhoods and backgrounds. They also started to develop a unique style of music and dance that would become the foundation of hip-hop culture.

As the Black Spades grew in popularity and influence, Bambaataa decided to transform the group into a more formal organization. In 1973, he founded the Universal Zulu Nation, which was dedicated to promoting hip-hop culture, community organizing, and social justice. The Zulu Nation quickly became one of the most influential and respected organizations in the hip-hop community, with chapters all over the world.

3. Harlem was a hotbed of organized crime in 1920s and 30s

One of the most notorious criminal organizations in Harlem during this time was the Harlem Mob, which was led by gangsters like Dutch Schultz, Owney Madden, and Jack “Legs” Diamond. The Harlem Mob was involved in a wide range of illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, extortion, and murder. They controlled speakeasies, brothels, and other establishments that catered to the vices of the era, and they were notorious for their brutality and willingness to use violence to protect their interests.

Another prominent criminal organization in Harlem during this period was the Black Mafia, which was led by a woman named Stephanie St. Clair, also known as “Queenie.” The Black Mafia controlled the numbers racket, a form of illegal lottery that was popular in African American communities. St. Clair was a formidable figure who was known for her savvy business sense and her willingness to stand up to the police and rival gangs.

4. The Harlem Mob was one of the most powerful criminal organizations of its time

One of the key figures in the Harlem Mob was “Big” Jack Zelig, a Jewish gangster who was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States as a child. Zelig was known for his charisma and his ability to build alliances with other criminal organizations, and he quickly rose to the top of the Harlem underworld. He was involved in everything from illegal gambling to labor racketeering, and he built a reputation as one of the most feared gangsters in the city.

Another prominent member of the Harlem Mob was Dutch Schultz, a Jewish bootlegger, and gangster who was born in the Bronx. Schultz was known for his violent temper and his willingness to use force to protect his interests. He was involved in everything from bootlegging to the numbers racket, and he was a major player in the organized crime world during the 1920s and 1930s.

5. The Racketeers were known for their brutal tactics and drug trade

The Racketeers was a notorious Harlem-based gang that operated during the 1970s. The group was known for its involvement in the drug trade, as well as for its violent tactics and willingness to use force to protect its interests. The Racketeers were responsible for several high-profile murders in the area, including the killing of a Harlem drug dealer named Nicky Barnes.

The Racketeers were founded by a man named Leroy “Nicky” Barnes, who had previously been a member of the Harlem drug gang known as the Council. Barnes had a reputation as a ruthless and cunning criminal, and he quickly rose to the top of the Racketeers’ organization. The group was involved in everything from drug trafficking to extortion, and it quickly became one of the most feared gangs in the Harlem area.

One of the Racketeers’ most infamous crimes was the murder of Nicky Barnes in 1977. Barnes was a major player in the Harlem drug trade, and he was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and his willingness to flaunt his wealth. The Racketeers saw Barnes as a threat to their own drug empire, and they ordered a hit on him. Barnes was shot and killed in front of his apartment building, and the murder made headlines across the city.

6.Nicky Barnes was one of the most notorious Harlem gangsters

Leroy Nicholas Barnes, better known as Nicky Barnes, was one of the most notorious gangsters in Harlem’s history. Barnes was born in South Carolina in 1933, but he moved to Harlem as a child and grew up in the streets. By the 1960s, Barnes had become a major player in the city’s drug trade, and he quickly rose to the top of the Harlem underworld.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Barnes ran a massive drug empire that spanned the city and made him millions of dollars. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, his flashy cars and clothing, and his willingness to use violence to protect his interests. Barnes was involved in everything from cocaine trafficking to extortion, and he quickly became one of the most feared gangsters in New York City.

However, Barnes’ reign of terror came to an end in the mid-1980s. In 1986, he was arrested on drug charges and faced the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. Rather than accept his fate, Barnes decided to become a government informant, providing crucial information to law enforcement that led to the arrest and conviction of many other drug kingpins.

7. The Harlem drug trade in the 1980s and 90s was dominated by the “Council”

In the 1980s and 90s, the Harlem drug trade was dominated by a loose network of drug dealers known as the “Council.” The group was made up of a number of smaller gangs and drug crews who had banded together to control the majority of the cocaine and heroin flowing into the neighborhood.

The Council was known for its brutal tactics and its willingness to use violence to protect its interests. Members of the group were involved in everything from drug trafficking to extortion, and they controlled much of the illegal activity in the area.

At the height of its power, the Council was estimated to be generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue each year. The group was able to maintain its control over the drug trade in Harlem through a combination of intimidation, violence, and corruption.

8. The Harlem gang known as the “Bloods” originated in Los Angeles

The Bloods gang originated in Los Angeles in the 1960s as a response to the oppression and violence faced by African American communities. The gang quickly gained a reputation for its brutal tactics and its willingness to use violence to protect its interests.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Bloods began to spread to other cities across the country, including New York City. The gang quickly gained a foothold in neighborhoods like Harlem, where it competed with other criminal organizations for control of the drug trade and other illegal activities.

In Harlem, the Bloods were known for their aggressive tactics and their involvement in violent crimes. Members of the gang were involved in everything from drug trafficking to robbery and murder, and they quickly became one of the most feared criminal organizations in the neighborhood.

9. The “Sex Money Murder” gang was a Harlem-based subset of the Bloods

The Sex Money Murder (SMM) gang was a subset of the Bloods gang that originated in Harlem, New York, in the 1980s. The gang was known for its involvement in the drug trade, particularly in the sale of crack cocaine, and for its reputation for violence and brutality.

SMM’s presence in Harlem was felt throughout the neighborhood, with members involved in everything from drug trafficking to robbery and murder. The gang was known for its aggressive tactics, and its members were not afraid to use violence to protect their interests or to retaliate against rivals.

The gang’s name, “Sex Money Murder,” was inspired by the idea of pursuing pleasure and luxury at any cost. Members of the gang were known for their extravagant lifestyles, and their wealth and power allowed them to live a life of excess and indulgence.

However, the SMM’s reign of terror was short-lived. Law enforcement agencies began to crack down on the gang in the 1990s, arresting and convicting many of its members on drug and weapons charges. Today, the SMM is a shadow of its former self, and its impact on Harlem and other neighborhoods has been largely forgotten.

10. In recent years, Harlem has seen a decline in gang activity and violent crime

Over the past few decades, there has been a noticeable decline in gang activity and violent crime in Harlem, as community organizations and law enforcement agencies work together to address the root causes of gang involvement and provide support to at-risk youth.

One factor in this decline has been the efforts of community organizations to provide young people with positive alternatives to gang involvement. Programs like after-school activities, mentorship programs, and job training initiatives have helped to steer young people away from the lure of the streets and toward more productive pursuits. By providing a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope for the future, these programs have helped to reduce the appeal of gangs and prevent young people from getting involved in criminal activity.

Another factor has been the work of law enforcement agencies to disrupt gang activity and bring gang members to justice. Through targeted investigations, arrests, and prosecutions, law enforcement agencies have made it clear that gang activity will not be tolerated in Harlem or any other neighborhood. This has helped to deter gang activity and reduce the incidence of violent crime.