Amazing 1968 Documentary Made By A Gang

Back then, filmmaker groups in major cities were teaching people how to use 16mm equipment to record their own stories. It was an exciting time for amateur filmmakers. In New York, St. Mark's Church showed films like this one once a week and the place was packed with people like me seeing what others had done. There is something so “real” about this film done by a gang member about aspects of the gang experience.

[@dellodinero]

throwing hands in the most pristine attire.

[@mr.5thave761]

😩😩😩

[@UrbanMediaReview]

😂

[@ante.z.3660]

Facts even n black and white you can tell they are sharp

[@Jay42000]

😂

[@savage2012]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWOaloRsjNCkasU

[@biomedlib]

Wow!!, I'm 71 years young, was raised in Philly, and I remember those days.

[@lilmonsta6701]

Awh ! Memories

[@WhoCares-nw9uj]

So how about you grow up and speak properly its pretty cringy seeing old people who cant face the fact that there ageing so they say im 71 years young you sound like a complete idiot i think at the very least in your 71 years you learned that its 71 years OLD

[@bangryman100]

Were the women knuckle heads back then? Like they are now

[@The_Farmish_One]

How many people did you kill?

[@edwinpillay1409]

South Africa 🇿🇦 was like 👍 that too! I still am that way now at 66 yrs and driving a 🚖 in NYC, I'm cool with that.

[@Allergictocatstoo]

So much more of an honest portrayal of the issues than those of today. Tragic how little has changed.

[@MD-cd7em]

@@donniecook9757 HOW COULD YOU KNOW?... NOBODY SAID THAT IN THE VIDEO

[@oooooo1535]

A lot have changed. Those guys are saint compared to these gun slinging savages now. The slang is different, the dress code is different, the mind set is TOTALLY different, and its only tragic because things have changed.

[@thinkersthink-]

I wonder why white racist people like y’all feel so insufficient, it’s very fascinating 🧐 has to be terrible feeling 💪🏾

[@robertmotion]

@@oooooo1535 no they not.. they the great-parents of the derelicts causing ruckus today. Apple don’t fall far from the tree. /Bklyn👑

[@cheesetoast8312]

The colonizer has won

[@seand67]

Outstanding footage. A priceless time capsule

[@dzim8822]

Rap music didn't exist yet at this time, but the way they were singing in this film sounded like a precursor to rap... They were putting together rhymes with a beat behind them.

[@ronkledonkanusmoncher564]

A lot of common themes too. The struggle to make it in a cruel world. Pent up young aggression. Anger. Poverty. Oppression. Racism. Drug use. Feelings of hopelessness and a lack of direction. Painting a picture of the streets through words is a lot older than the sugar hill boys.

[@chopitupradio4286]

Black Americans been rapping since the 1920’s. Even Muhammad Ali used to rap.

[@amenhalleluyah1111]

@@chopitupradio4286 yeah a lot of people took footage because a lot of people back then that was black they wasn't watching the real cameras we have cameras on our phones we take it for granted that back during this time you needed an actual video camera and they were hundreds of dollars so this British footage like this usually came from the news some people did have it and then some people were using footage of them break dancing to say that they're some kind of Legend when none of us know them this is already proof rapping live poetry Mack into women you know stating where we from it already existed. By the way it looks like people spray painted their name in the back so there goes your graffiti.

[@chopitupradio4286]

@@amenhalleluyah1111 💯💯💯💯

[@gene7arttech]

Listen to the chain gangs songs on KZbin, from Bertha and other prison in the south. The music is actually work songs that slaves song in the fields, that is also similar to West Coast African work songs. Some of the West Coast African work songs with fiddle, may be posted on KZbin.

[@junito2899]

The whimpers of hip hop is brewing…. The soul of rhythms is shaping

[@johnjack902]

"Here comes the judge"1968

[@junito2899]

@@johnjack902 What am I trying to refer to with my statement?

[@johnjack902]

@@junito2899 they were already formed

[@junito2899]

@@johnjack902 what was formed? Did I say anything about something being formed?

[@XsukiniiX]

@@johnjack902 Christian’s started rap in the 40’s

[@seanosull2884]

This is absolutely fascinating. Different clothes, different slang, different music but the exact same issues at the core. The most disadvantaged in society fighting over the small bit of territory that they call home. Sadly, the violence has most definitely escalated... Based on what I read. I'm not American, but that's how it seems.

[@canelover9033]

If you're not American then don't comment because there's a whole historical and political context that creates these behaviors. If you look around they are surrounded by object poverty. People's behaviors are influenced by their environments regardless of what anybody tells you. The social engineering that happens in the black community comes not from within but without.

[@retrocomputing]

@@canelover9033 do you abstain from commenting on anything non-american too?

[@trefoxx1]

@@retrocomputing for the most part black Americans mind their business. We have too much to worry about that deals with ourselves. You will seldom find us sticking our nose in others business.

[@jessallen7756]

Actually the violence has not escalated....Since the early 90s the murder rate in the US has dropped almost 50%, with 1980 being the year with the highest murder rate on record.....The reality is, right now is one of the safest times to have ever lived in the US.... 24 hours news media is what skews everyone beliefs that the US is becoming more violent, but that is definitely not the reality

[@retrocomputing]

@@trefoxx1 it's doubtful that you know what 47 millions of people do in their spare time, and what comments they make on KZbin videos. Also if you think about it, if black Americans really are a monoculture and they don't interact with non-american cultures that seems like a bad thing.

[@sourbaileys]

How does this only have 14K views??? (August 2022) This is one of the most underrated KZbin channels ever.

[@soultribej]

cause the world has turned to fakeness and illusions they live by ..the society back then was more superior then today's and we can see it

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you. It is very disappointing to me as well. I try my best. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@th3gam3rguy]

its still july

[@marcosvega3519]

People are afraid of the truth bc it would mean they have to have some type of self-reflection and analysis. Many are in denial that they have total control of their future but rather say they don’t in order to have an excuse for their bad decisions.

[@rashawndaholmes2651]

People don't want to see how nothing's changed..

[@sensethevillen]

50 years later and we’re still not at peace amongst each orher

[@christophermclaughlin8917]

Blcks WON'T W/out A Strong Adherence, Guidance and Continued Assistance From Whte Western Civilization. It's at Least in Your 'SOFTWARE'...Culture If Not The 'HARDWARE'....Genetics, DNA.

[@benedictreincarnated1708]

True, Preach Bro! But did you see the perms? Looks like the Sistas still got issues, because they still doing it. Mary J., etc.

[@annco9801]

@@benedictreincarnated1708 why are you bringing black women into this. We are not speaking about perms, this is about VIOLENCE! Hair is such a minute issue. Get your priorities straight. You so busy pointing the finger at black women, while violence and gangs are rising among black males.

[@pabloharris7371]

@@annco9801 Lmaoo but it’s a proven fact though that 90% of street beefs is due to brothers fighting over the Sistas so when do y’all take accountability?

[@cashapark87s25]

@@annco9801 that hair weave and perm business take a billion dollars out of the blk community every year...I've seen women let their kids go hungry to get their hair perm...if women saved all the money they spend on hair weaves and perms I'm sure they can send one of their children to college

[@letitbelight1877]

Damn men back then fought, fixed cars played basketball, football ran track done construction ect. In dress shoes.

[@Amariiiiie]

I was thinking the same thing- in dress shoes! Lol

[@letitbelight1877]

@@Amariiiiie they ran track lift weights cut grass ect. you name it they done it in dress shoes.

[@taharamuhammad3771]

@@Amariiiiie yeah. they had that understanding that no matter what they had to do that they'd do it in Style Imagine them brawling in their New Jordans (lol).... Oh no! Not these today ...they ain't about to F up those $3-$400 J's . They rather shoot!!!! and deal with the consequences later.. Sad ***t

[@36GodMob]

CTFU

[@darrylbress7560]

That's funny, I know I did, boy how times have changed.

[@djinnmagik6867]

Great film, David! Amazing how whoever was shooting this film captured inner urban culture and lifestyle. I really love the acapella songs that they are singing without instruments. That's how I make my songs..

[@nola504creole5]

The first rappers

[@wakeupisrael8336]

Our people were so lost then, and are still so lost Today-SAD😞

[@prosperitythegod8287]

You’re depressing af a lot of us now are so educated and doing well wealthy and you choose to believe were lost instead of seeing actual progression in us this is why progress is not even looked upon y’all focus on past and irrelevant rather then now and what could help be bettering for us !

[@trigfizzle6876]

we are not living with the same type of struggles anymore. The gang members are no longer ki!ling for the same reasons (it was more violent in the 80s and 90s because everyone was establishing turf and the pride of their gangs names). We're not having to fight for equality or for opportunities anymore. We all have knowledge of everything that we didn't have knowledge of back then. We know what all drugs do to you we know what alcohol does to you, we know what unprotected sex does to you. We are nowhere near the same struggles that we had just 30 years ago. People today are just ki!ling for pride, money, hoes and internet fame. Nothing is as tasteful as it was in the past because we have nothing that we are fighting for or going through that really means anything important. The people in the past fought for our freedom and equality and now that we have it we have nothing to use as a goal other than ourselves and our own gratification. That would be why what was the normal conversations and normal sentences spoken by most people is above so many people these days as a heads. Why do you think that all of the so-called smart people of today think that everything that a rapper says is deep and profound no matter how ignorant and negatively and immoral they have lived their lives and continue to live their lives? People been saying the same things about the entertainment business, about drugs, about systemic racism and about everything under the sun but as soon as Kevin gates says something or someone shares a picture of NBA YoungBoy saying a quote then they are so deep and the rest of us are dumb because we don't know even though we all know.

[@trigfizzle6876]

​@@prosperitythegod8287to be fair, most of the bad that men do these days is behind females wether it's her cheating or fu*king with an enemy or wether it's because someone insulted their pride in front of a woman or if she insults his pride (because let's be real, most women these days love to destroy a man confidence and heart especially if he's a decent man) or if it's about money or anything else that attracts women. We don't have anything important to fight for or think deeply about anymore.

[@wav.yliving]

So sad how psychologically damaged my people are. Man, this is sad.

[@richpo9814]

Mental Slavery with nothing productive to do.

[@rdred8693]

It is sad. I don't think it's wonderful as some people do.

[@petej7002]

This was there before we got to North. Ever seen gangs of NY. Gangs have predated slavery . It was a system in place that lured young men with too much idle time.

[@TDS927]

I concur! White America really did a number on the psyche of Black Americans.💯

[@As_Expected_of_Pieck]

racist. it's dey culcha.

[@charleswalker864]

My boy Morris ( Spade ) was from 12 & Oxford. Middle 60s to early 70s was rough years growing up in Philly, gangs everywhere, sometimes the gangs would go on the hunt for new members ( they looking to draft youngboys in ) by the Rue, slapbox, body box or fair ones against known gang members of the same age. I knew cats that was a gang member in the fourth grade with me , North Philly wasn't no joke in the gangwars years.

[@oooooo1535]

Now it looks like a daycare center compared to Chiraq

[@biomedlib]

Our neighborhood was 2-4 (24th and Diamond Streets) Wow!!!

[@danielgonzales5502]

@@oooooo1535 you're dumb as shit! Philadelphia is a dangerous city at every turn!!

[@billyjacc]

@@oooooo1535 Chicago looked liked daycare compared to today... So what's your point?

[@jonathanvillalobos7994]

@@billyjacc I think his point is,nothing compares to Chicago.When it comes to gangs.not even L.A.

[@AquaBoogie80z]

Looking back at this then comparing it to the Italians, Irish, Polish, Russians, Jewish, and other communities around that time and earlier, you can see how politics gave those other groups inclusion and we were left out fighting for civil rights for ourselves. They'll be casualties, the poverty, joblessness, hopelessness and sense of manhood created this subculture of gangs. It's very easy to look for feeling of masculinity in a downtrodden situation. The political leaders were getting murdered by the government and the states were sanctioning police violence while s blind eye was turned. This was right around the time those drugs got introduced by the government and it's only gotten worse. We have to learn from this.

[@marcosvega3519]

They were already drinking, smoking, and doing heroin before integration. Integration is what sunk the sun people even lower. It led to police to start going into the hoods opposed to just staying in white suburbs. It forced people that wanted to be in the streets to integrate into a society they didn’t want/know how to be a part of. Watch the Claude Brown interview about Harlem in the 50’s and you’ll understand. It’s a sad truth but they’ve been murdering each other for fun since the times they lived on plantations.

[@bjornsmith9431]

Aaron Sapp the Drugs Culture of the 1960s destroyed the Black community, many Civil rights leaders who survived that era turned against their own people that effect the Black family unit and wealth creation leading to social problems that manifest today, example the Black Panther leader Huey P Newton went into narcotics trades and Al Shrapton too, the majority of Stores and Apartments in the inner cities are owned by non blacks folks, it seem the those boys in that 1968s are drinking alcohol to claim their minds and fist fights, come pair today Gangsters drugs, knives and weapons to fight to death.

[@ayeehl5886]

… the “government” has “NEVER STOPPED ✋” it’s overt/covert war upon us… since it’s usurpation, er, inception…

[@TATNThisAintThatNetwork]

AmeriKKKa and the redline. Poverty is the issue. But change gon’ come

[@ayeehl5886]

@@TATNThisAintThatNetwork … I’d say the “poverty” is but a symptom- of institutionalized RACISM!…

[@thetrickisirarelyrespond5945]

Okay I'm getting serious "alternate origins of Hip Hop" vibes from this film. The received wisdom is 70s NYC, but it's always curious to me that I've heard vintage records with variations on rap, 50s radio hosts doing it, and then hear with the clear rhymes/call and response.

[@adekolaajakaiye9650]

True it goes way before the 70s

[@janepatton8100]

Look up the Jubalaires' Noah song. They were from the South and we're doing it in the 40's. Same cadence as Sugar Hill Gang.

[@jamesmoore9636]

Facts, rap started way before Kool Herc/Afrika Bammbatta.

[@llClassifiedll]

Fr! Sound like more so freestyle and beats were clapping, stomping, or snapping

[@dwayneclemons5497]

I'd celebrated my 5th birthday that year in 1968. And although i was a really small child at that time, I clearly remember the gangs in South Dallas (Where I grew up) from that time. I even remember that they'd dressed just the same as these guys, especially the conks and the head rags. I'd have to say that since then in the 60s, urban gang life has progressively, gotten much worse and even more sinister today. I wonder whatever became of these gentlemen in this documentary. Did any of them manage to escape that lifestyle, finding a rather happy and fulfilling life? Which ones are still alive? Which ones became casualties? One can only hope that at least some of them managed to escape the throes of the socio-economical conditions that creates the sickness of drug addiction, alcoholism; gang violence and crime in general.

[@upeast_ru502]

Actually at 0:50 seconds, the Gentleman with the rag tied on his head, taking a drink in non other than King David Barksdale, so these guys are most likely the Devil Disciples they would merge their gang with Larry Hoover's Supreme Gangster to form Black Gangster Disciples. King David died from kidney failure in '74 and Larry Hoover has been locked up since '73 and...

[@vprince9907]

How they fighting tho in dress clothes an shoes is bonkers to me.. hearing click clack clack of dem shoes

[@Jamestele1]

Wow. This cultural Gold. Not that I like violence, just how raw and true this is.

[@tartgreenapple]

A time capsule of an actual past as they lived it.

[@MASTERBUILDER-dd1rg]

it's the same as today.

[@greggsiano5920]

Philly Philly baby

[@kevijrmusic5715]

it's sad, is what it is. my people are fucking broken.

[@greggsiano5920]

@@kevijrmusic5715 no it’s not just ur ppl it’s poor ppl in general

[@jessegonzales7953]

One of the best documentary on gangs I seen and the footage is so clear and sound is on point

[@rossmorebaz]

it really pains me deeply to see brothers fighting other brothers... coz at the end of the day all we got is each other

[@Crezelltree4261]

Now today we're killing each other.

[@budgetking2591]

humans always have fought eachother and always will, its natural.

[@jasondashney]

It's interesting to me when people see all conflict in terms of race, especially when everyone involved is the same race. I saw young men fighting young men. Of course I noticed they were black (I have eyes and ears) but it's the same as noticing they all dressed more like businessmen instead of like modern day gangbangers. It's an observation as opposed to an opinion. I really hope when you say "all we got is each other" I really hope you mean humans, because to think of your race first as a means to exclude the rest of humanity is just sad. And if you do, then you can't get mad when the exclusion is thrown back at you.

[@rahsunallah2825]

💯💪

[@mommydearest3164]

@@carlitosortiz2870 you’re the last one to talk all that damn hispanic gang violence in america.

[@spainwayne941]

Liked everything about this. Love art. That’s definitely what this is. A great conversation piece because it touches on so many different aspects of life. Love that style of clothing too. Even the boys dressed like grown men. Love it!

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you. David Hoffman Filmmaker

[@spainwayne941]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Respect!

[@spainwayne941]

@@allen0088 thanks for the obvious. They made something out of nothing, and it made you think. I’m not asking you if it’s art. This is art to me. Go find someone else to start a fake argument with.

[@rayj5149]

@@spainwayne941 ugh, i hate the word Art, same as conspiracy theory. Those are gaslighting terms to take something tanglible and often times in your face and turn it into some theoretical . ugh.

[@spainwayne941]

@@rayj5149 This is art to me. That’s my opinion. I’m not gonna waste time with Brandys brother about how I view this and how it makes me feel. Art is what you make it.

[@gerarpope6581]

Interesting...the whole energy reminds me of the Education of Sonny Carson movie, especially the ending. As someone who has spent a good portion of his life mentoring and working with Black Males, all I could think is if only the energy could be turned into more positive things (Electronics, Aviation, Welding, Engineering, Arts, Entrepreneurship, etc.)...I kept looking at the potential in each young Brother and thinking what if he was steered in a different direction...there would be no limits to what he could do. Yet, I am only one man and can only reach out to few....it really takes a village to break the death and poverty cycle and help our youth. I've seen so many success stories, but just like back then, many still struggle in 2022, trapped, not able to break free from it all (in the case of this video, violence and self hate). Much respect to those that put in the work (Mentors, Teachers, Coaches, Counselors, Fathers, etc.)... #staystrong

[@erikgraham2215]

Love that movie .

[@GWiz60]

Exactly....Sonny Carson

[@adamcunningham2511]

Stop using the fact you are black from stopping you doing somthing. Just go do it. Everyone's bored of the excuses

[@FilthyAmericans]

Wow this is our first time hearing music from the streets from street dudes before Hip Hop….Fascinating!!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@darkdominance911]

Wow David you are My hero... Just the amount of work you have recorded is amazing. I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere you have.a part of My life recorded too... impressive...

[@bustedupgrunt1177]

I remember that. It's the 12th & Oxford St gang. Those raps they sang got around the whole city. Those are the blocks just south of Temple University, old St Malachy's parish. And a few blocks south of the old Uptown Theater where the greatest performers knocked the windows out. Saw James Brown there in 69, my high school senior year.

[@Mxvdyy]

Wat city or state this was in?

[@bustedupgrunt1177]

@@Mxvdyy North Philly, back when wars in Vietnam and on Philly streets ruled the news.

[@funkyfreshzorro00]

Many gang's rapping in 60's?

[@trigfizzle6876]

​@YUNGMEXICANBEANER how nice it is to have a Mexican tell us about our culture 😂🙄🤦🏽‍♂️

[@thomaseinstein7987]

Seriously, what is that kind of music called? It sounds like the roots of rap, and a bit like army chants. I saw that the first one is partly the lyrics to Joe Cuba's Oh Yeah.

[@hoofglormuss657]

sounds like cheerleaders too

[@plateofshrimp]

chain gang

[@roachfatthenostalgist7535]

Definitely the roots of Hip-Hop.

[@GuudBaay]

Call and response. It kills me to point out to Americans how important jazz is in forming relationship between black and white folk. It's your history

[@plutoloco2378]

@@roachfatthenostalgist7535 no. The roots of rap is from Jamaica.

[@lovelegacy500]

This is just how Sioux Tribes handled issues of "Treason" , or Allowed a non tribal member to have a voice in Serious Debates... You had to prove yourself a Warrior by walking the line. You can make us forget who we are but you can't take the Indian out of us no matter what. Elutao achotate

[@amram1305]

This is who the Israelites of the bible are. We sang as we marched in travel and into war. We held righteous council from the elders. We have a remnant of the Law that GOD gave us in biblical times.

[@lemondishonor7736]

My father was eighteen when this was made. I’m glad he went to the military and wasn’t out there like some of these lost souls here.

[@Pentazoid111]

He went to an even BIGGER gang

[@aziilacmuhammad9693]

@@Pentazoid111 yes 🙌

[@OGimperial97]

In the military fighting for the White Man's issues? He would've been better off humbugging

[@cherylrice-moore8715]

The sad reality is that these young men, nor their families owned anything of any real value, no real estate, or respect for the streets on which they paid rent to live. Hopeless like many of today's lost youth...fantasizing the drug, the fist, and the gun!

[@lemondishonor7736]

@@cherylrice-moore8715 sad but true.

[@yolodolo9143]

Life back in those days was alot harder than today. You can see they don't wanna live like this but need to do what they have too. Be grateful for your ancestors that lived and paved the way for you to be able to live the life you have today.

[@biggestD318]

Proof that Hip Hop been around.

[@madedigital]

THE FIGHT LOOKED STAGED BUT I LIKE JUST THE FACT THEY FILMED IN THAT TIME

[@nola3058]

It WAS staged for this mini-documentary (for the camera) 😉 🎬

[@dr.andmrs.phibes7454]

@@nola3058 it was still well done.

[@benedictreincarnated1708]

It was a documentary-staged role play about real life events. It was good to see it, though.

[@nighthawk292]

Yes definitely staged. Today you might have somebody recording it on their cell but I doubt it because bullets might be flying not fists.

[@Jay42000]

Awesome documentary, thank you so much for the upload.

[@Monaedeezy]

Once again you capture rapping and real life of the inner city.

[@MiguelGarcia-hg3ht]

Some gang "traditions" never die. The line as they call it as what they do when a gang member falls out of line and the get beaten for not following gang code. Mexican American gangs do the same thing, but they call it "taxing". Very interesting.

[@danteduck9518]

Violations in Chicago

[@thetraveler1182]

Yep. There will *ALWAYS* be *something.* Coming from LA but having traveled everywhere I tell people home, “Gangs exist EVERYWHERE” it might not be what we know but it’s all over.

[@mikesuniverse1789]

in the military its called running the gauntlet

[@rahsunallah2825]

The line is also in the movie "the education of sonny carson"

[@algreasey8425]

In Philly we used to call it going through the Roo as in the kangaroo court.

[@Shinobi33]

You can see the roots of Hip-hop in the chant/song in the beginning. That was essentially a freestyle.

[@jerseydevils9686]

No Hip Hop comes from Jamaica. They were copying an old Toast chant

[@AKiEM.]

@@jerseydevils9686 no. Rap in the US is much older than toasting in JA. it was the other way around. that lie needs to die out.

[@Shinobi33]

@@jerseydevils9686 Well actually Hip-hop has links to Jamaican dance hall tracks where the DJ would talk and rhyme over the dump side of a record. Eventually those DJs and other DJs did the same with Hip-hop. Help create it. Remember the backbone of any rap track is the DJ.(today the producer( Especially in the early days of Hip-hop where live music was more prominent.

[@jerseydevils9686]

@@AKiEM. I know, i was trolling last night off the E&J lol. Buddy below you took the bait tho

[@AKiEM.]

@@Shinobi33 you are repeating a myth. the influence went the other way. Jamaican DJs were replicating what was being done on US radio. US DJs did not get the idea to rhyme from Jamaica.

[@vincentrobinson3078]

I remember watching a film in the late 60’s produced by the late Rev. Melvin Floyd , who was once in a street gang himself. It was an awareness film. I’m originally from 23rd and Diamond Str. here in Philly. It definitely was educational. Plus Mom always told me to tell them “I’m from my momma’s stomach, when they asked me about where I was from 😂

[@thebha7519]

🤣🤣🤣

[@RasX144]

Amazing history! Thanks for sharing

[@mrerfan2]

Thank you for sharing this video! 🙏

[@GeneralTarik]

This is only part of the film, there’s some scenes missing. So, I meet some of these gentlemen a couple years ago at a viewing of this movie they made. There was an older gentlemen who lived in there neighborhood who worked for with the gas company (PGwW or the electric company (PECO) who got them into a training program and eventually most of them got jobs with the utility company. He also encouraged them to make this film and helped them get the money and equipment.

[@khalifabdullah8472]

That's OG Gangster rap

[@claudettecicora1192]

Exactly what I was going to post I was thinking the same thing

[@razisuperlightskin7273]

Oh yeah!!

[@ordinaryextraordinarybrotha]

Hell yes

[@bamjungle]

Yup, that's what I said in my post. My dad and older males always used to say they would rap when they were kids in the 50s. They would always say, rap ain't new! Facts, just getting paid on it started to jump off. I guess in them days the doo wop was what was selling, they did that too. Be in the fields, in the military overseas, and in the urban streets doing it. My dad, uncles, and old cousins be in the house humming away, scatting, or singing the old doo wop. They say, boy you don't know good music! And they all always carried a bunch of razor blades and knives, even in the lining in the covers of books like the Bible. Old heads was too real. This is how we got it in the 80s and 90s, even today. Interesting to see with eyes how they got down. Not so different than my boys growing up in the 90s. With just their stories it kinda seemed like tall tales, but I seen a few old pictures and they looked like these thugs. Gang gang and rapping on the real. Peace and power.

[@akilaj553]

The beginning of rumble rap. Nothing has changed, same level of dust today as it was then. We'll forever be bottomfeeders, we've never wanted to win. This is disgusting!!!!

[@balanchuk]

Sad to think it gets worse from this point ..... even sadder that that's possible

[@EasyDuzzit]

"Oh yeah"

[@lordbaylish3187]

America's plan

[@soultribej]

now is mentality and psychological they are attacking the YOUTH

[@bttl7299]

@Palepride Worldwide Fist fights disappeared into shootings at a mind boggling rate. YES WORSE!

[@bttl7299]

@Palepride Worldwide Have no idea where your at or coming from. Maybe your in the UK but in the USA we are past “random stabbings”. Good day mate

[@metrobill175]

Amazing how things change but remain the same also. I forgot all about processed hair! I remember those days, these guys all have lookalikes in New York City where I grew up.

[@psa2969]

If these men survived until the early 2000s, I am sure they ended up regreting the influence they had on later generation of thugs. The way whole communities became hostage of violence and plagued by poison.

[@NoName-si5uv]

Nah the government did that

[@hcuhoustonchristiansunited3877]

The influence of so many, settler behaviors, influences like Jessie James & so many outlaws!

[@gregzaddy6829]

Ehh if not then it would've been someone else

[@christophermclaughlin8917]

@@hcuhoustonchristiansunited3877 yes And Blcks were Their Own Worst Enemies Long Before El Gringo Ever Showed Up On The Shores Of Motha Africa.

[@simonjusticier333]

Tariq said it's all black immigrants fault🤣🤣🤣

[@johnkeane1419]

This is like a lost world being rediscovered.

[@RaisingTheVibe]

One of the saddest videos I’ve ever seen! 😥😥 Breaks my heart to see what they reduced our once proud warriors to - from fighting for our land on this continent and our people, to fighting for some stupid city blocks in a ghetto created by our oppressors. And the oppression, psychological damage and destruction of our men, women and children continue to this day!! 😰😰

[@videoluvr4204]

these issues of lower socio-economic struggles persist through many different ethnicities its not just a black struggle, there is no doubt that the black population is disproportionately disadvantaged BUT there is a big presence of overall class warfare in this country and it hurts the poor people of all colors

[@RaisingTheVibe]

@@videoluvr4204 I won’t dispute your perspective, but in this particular instance we are looking at and talking about the deleterious effects on Black/indigenous people in America. Question: why is it that whenever we begin to analyze and address OUR issues, someone like you comes along to tell us how it’s not just us, it’s these other people who are/have been affected too? Even if that’s true, it doesn’t change the fact that we need to address the issues that affect us FIRST. Then and only then will we be in a position to help someone else. We’ve already seen the alternative-namely, OUR movements being hijacked to benefit women, alternative lifestyles, etc. Enough already!

[@Italiano-Forte]

​ @Raising The Vibe See that is the problem. "Movements" rarely work and they hijack themselves i.e.. BLM. Change is made by standing up and taking opportunity by the horns. In my community we are very family oriented. For generations my uncles and cousins pooled our money and started our own low $$ startup business's. We Did; Landscaping, Pressure Wash Peoples Homes, Asphault peoples Driveways, Handy Work, Selling Vegetables at Farmers Markets, Some of the family started a Food Truck and catered. A little creativity goes a long way. It is a lot of hard work but it is yours and you can say FU#K the man. Never depend on an oppressor to lift you up.

[@RaisingTheVibe]

@@Italiano-Forte Congratulations to you and your family. The results my people seek will also require collective effort, but on a much greater scale that includes our communities and also extends far above and beyond. We are well on our way! Peace! 🤎💫

[@Italiano-Forte]

​ @Raising The Vibe I agree with you totaly of who hijacks the Black agenda. I often see that movements such as the Alphabet Crowd, White Feminist, Globalist Groups, and Liberal Polititions always attach theyre issues to black benefiting agendas. It baffles me how so many people can be used at such a massive scale. My opinion is that the black community needs to vote theyre interest and not with theyre feelings. Also, as a form of reparation, Free Trade Schools should be offered the Black Community as well. Trade Schools i.e. Welding, Culinary, Mechanics, Plumbing, Carpentry, Electrician etc in my view are a more lucrative road than most College degrees. It is the least this Nation could do. Be Well.

[@hanginwithlois]

You have the most amazing footage

[@carlinwoods245]

I'm from BedSty, Brooklyn. In 1968 I was 9 yrs old but my siblings were 19 and 17 y/o. When I heard the chant in the beginning of the video I almost cried. The last person I heard do that chant was my sister and her homies chillin on the stoop down the block..."It's in my pocket, yeah, a bottle rocket, yeah. It's in my sneeker, yeah, a bag of reefa, yeah.......

[@thefreedomtheatre9723]

12th and oxford...North Philly. "The Jungle."

[@bakulubaka3824]

This documentary reminds me of the movie Cooley High.

[@edwinpillay1409]

My man this is a 💎 of our Life! We got a true story to. Brilliant Doucmentry.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

It’s so hard hitting and unapologetic. Such a paradox of human experiences.

[@aykmhawaii96792]

Wow what memories, I grew up in Philly and spent my younger years living with family on 10 th and Poplar Street the Richard Allen Projects. Glad I survived and went into the military, not much has changed since then, sad!

[@rolandorivera6214]

My family lived on 11th and Poplar. My uncle was a Star ( The only Puerto Rican gang in Philly then).

[@wvjon75]

Those fight scenes were the prototype for the 'Beat it' video.

[@nattyforlife8393]

I seen this so much in Sunset Park when I was growing up. The park was across the street and gangs would initiate new members there.

[@jimmybonez8928]

So this is Sunset Park, in Brooklyn????

[@shamonjones6669]

This is a GEM

[@ChrisPeck-niganma]

Dig the outfits. I was wearing bellbottoms and sporting long hair when this was done, lol. I wonder how many of these guys are alive today and what they are doing. Gangs are a worldwide phenomena. Sociologists were studying gangs and ghettos over a hundred years ago yet they are still around.

[@bamjungle]

Gangsta rap for real huh? I wonder how many people doo wop and later hip hop saved as it became more lucrative as a possible avenue to come up. Of course we know most don't make it, but the pursuit gives folks something to aspire to. Then with gangsta rap in particular, how many may it have encouraged to be aggressive to seek comrades through gang life. The things they were saying or how they got down day to day is not different than how we grew up in the 90s, but I wonder the impact of the music from seeing them rap. For me music, writing, and rap helped me shake the street influences like this that was all around me. Sports helped, religion, and an enormous curiosity helped too. My friends rapped about the same stuff these brothers did and we did it the same way at first. In the cipher, on the fly, do or die. Then we got hip to recording in the clothes closet. I always knew the struggles of today are the struggles of our fathers and grandfathers, but seeing how similar everything else was brings to light the frustration of of not moving past these behaviors as a people. Made me think. Peace and power.

[@christophermclaughlin8917]

Blcks Were , and What they Are For Millenia Before Whte Folk Ever Pulled- up To Trade with The Chiefs and War Lords That Captured, Conquered, Killed and Enslaved Them.

[@JuanCruz-dt9rb]

It is a shame that in the land of plenty the black youth is often deprived of the resources that are conducive to maintaining a sense of humanity, self pride and self respect!

[@CBrown9758]

It's amazing to see some of our downfall so far back, isn't it?

[@rahsunallah2825]

All by design

[@chuckscott4661]

@Allah. Perhaps. But it’s a design that could easily be overcome if black would use contraception and stop having children while in poverty.

[@performsmanzay3502]

@@carlitosortiz2870 lol you’re hispanic or Latino your people suffer from the same gang violence plague as us

[@thenowwhatshow4142]

@@chuckscott4661 really nigga ? That’s it ? Stop

[@chuckscott4661]

@The now what show. If you have an argument against what I wrote I’ll be happy to read it.

[@Michael-xn9mz]

These gangs are wholesome compared to what we have going on now

[@toomanydonuts]

Betty Crocker

[@trefoxx1]

Misguided and led astray but still the salt of the earth. Y’all hear that hip hop too! 😎

[@dr.andmrs.phibes7454]

Yes, that was hip-hop.

[@rahsunallah2825]

Oh yeah!😎

[@24Adrian24]

Would be incredibly interesting to hear from some these guys today!

[@toddtarble8364]

Insane...Colonized to perfection....

[@randyvaughn8810]

This must be how rap started. Love it

[@acebandagedaclown4215]

black on black crime....smh...still going on till this day.

[@WallyWest96]

Black on black crime isn't a thing

[@voiskumbeaver3285]

As meaningless as saying "white on white crime"

[@timcarr6401]

@@WallyWest96 Of course it is. Don't deny reality.

[@WallyWest96]

@@timcarr6401 it’s not reality “black on black crime” was a term invented in the Raegan era to imply that black deliberately focus crime on other blacks because we Inherently hate each other because were black. Asians kill Asians but there is no Asian on Asian crime. Somoans kill Samoans but there is no Samoan crime blacks kill blacks but it somehow exist Lmao you’re too old to be this dumb

[@TDS927]

Black self hate has its roots in slavery and economic deprivation, ignorance of black history, and no commitment to common uplift and unity.💯

[@ARPorganics]

This is a wild world we live in. Much gratitude for every 24 hours I get to experience.

[@akillawrence2018]

My Great grandpa was just like this in his years on earth may God rest his soul 🙏

[@rickykelly3681]

The Cheap wine has been replaced with the Za Za today, a group of aimless youth sitting around on the block smoking trees, and not a woman in sight.

[@donltoys]

I would love to see a video update showing what happened to these young men. Kind of a "where are they now" film.

[@arcademcFLy]

Dead in jail homeless…the end

[@yourtrunkrattles4398]

Dead. Everyone from that time probably dead. Rhats like 200 years ago

[@donltoys]

@@yourtrunkrattles4398 There's still people alive from the holocaust from the 1940s lol. So asking what happened to these guys isn't a stretch.

[@2ndSonofGod]

They dead. Got smoked or stabbed.

[@donltoys]

Right.

[@Originalman360]

I LOVE these old school videos

[@thejtotheb5419]

surprised i'm just seeing this now, you might have altered the history of hip-hop by capturing this on film. rapping, boasting, cursing (even the "n-word" same as it's still used today), boom bap beats... it's all there, and 5-10 years before what most assume was the birth of hip-hop. this was the sound of the streets for a looong time. amazing.

[@daviddouglas7612]

OK nobody tell us that foundational black Americans didn’t make rap✊🏾

[@leedza]

Just needed a Jamaican sound system to take off.

[@rodneybrown5112]

@@leedza no Jamaican system

[@killashow6808]

If some of these dudes are still alive they’re now considered double og’s

[@timcarr6401]

What does that mean?

[@icegangsta5161]

@@timcarr6401 Original Gangstas

[@erroljr.7480]

Anybody who was 16 or 17 in this doc is 70 or 71.... if they aint dead, which is probably the fate of about 90% of the participants in this film.

[@jonj402]

Triple OG lol

[@ProducerSikste]

BARS!!!!!! DUDE GOTS REAL RHYME STORIES!!! I DIG THE MUSIC, it comes from true painful experience’s the others dont know

[@cedric609]

Yep it was a whole hang of people filming and editing and directing and getting the food and stuff scoping out the block and stuff pay offs plus the jerking around to have a wonderful person who is doing a great job upload this without paying the offsprings.. amazing work how justise is a flavor of icream now the thing is what was the third person shownninnanvibeio for years before thiywas made I do not know but those bags gangs that put this wonderful work together

[@akilaj553]

This is somebody's father!!! Disgraceful! And folks act like they can't understand the behavior of young thug, gunna, lil durk etc etc...this is what legacy looks like, wake up!!!

[@ddoubleu170]

Exactly! This is someone’s great-grandpa and grandpa.

[@johnceglick8714]

1968 was a crazy time period socially , civilly , emotionally , financially ! My uncle was kia in SoutVietnams Central Highlands mid-3/1968 , tail end of TET , 10 days B-4 my 11th bday . Knew neighbors sons , and friends whose relatives ( close or distant bros., uncle's , cousins ) , sent there from 1965 -1969 ; last one , I knew of , returning here in USA , late 1971! These people ordeal was palpable by looking @ their eyes. Terrible! Some of these guys in this video probably were drafted , and some dodged the draft! I was 11 yrs. old 3/30/1968 , and alot of things happened that yr. The war in NAM , assassinations of Martin Luther King mid to late 4/1968 , Robert Kennedy , who was John F Kennedy's brother who was assassinated 11/22 or 23/1963 when I was 6 yr old). The Anti- Vietnam War Demonstration outside the Presidential Democratic Party Convention , which Hubert Humphrey won for to run against Richard M Nixon in early 11/1968 , and where Chicago's Mayor Daily ( spelling off @ times) sent out Chicago's Police , and brutally brawled with demonstrators mid 8/1968. Also , remember The Detroit Tigers victorious over St. Louis Cardinals in baseballs' fall classic The World Series . Denny McClane ( spelling maybe off) getting MVP, for I think he pitched 3 of those games in World Series. And, shocker of them all , NYJets victorious over Baltimore Colts 16 to 7. I was shocked . Shouldn't of happened , but it did. Anyway, gang violence in Philadelphia was bad mid to late 60s . The Black Panthers were a militant , and violent group , and outright spoke against the Vietnam War , vandalized recruiting centers for military sign ups , and was a big part of the violence here in Philly , especially attacking the police , drug dealings , anti- American slogans , and blasphemous statements about the USA ; The USA was involved in Vietnam , and the Black Panthers used that as fuel 4 their cause , which was equal rights , no discrimination , equal education , and job opportunities , but their belligerent attitude turned alot of people off from them , Evan up to their own kind. Alot of gang violence came from rival gangs in selling heroin , Methamphetamine , marijuana , Barbiturates , PCP ( angel dust ) , Halicinagenics , and last , but not the least in any sense of mankind , and animal too , the ubiquitous alcohol use all through this planet. Alcohol was more abused , Evan in 68 than any other drug. In fact , alcohol is a drug in essence with same deleterious effects ! But , corners in cities had their own territories , and , unless you knew someone that had a repoire with the crowd with that corner , your ass was grass , Evan though grass also meant marijuana , but people knew how to delineate the 2. We as kids mostly all , hung out in corners , and smoked cigarettes , and got some old head ( now as they say for old guy/ man ) to get us a case of beer . That's where the trouble started from being imbibed , and that's how , universally , it started . Yes , alcohol was an evil elixir , worse than heroin . Alot of hangouts , anywhere always have alcohol @ the forefront , and more destructive . It was macho to get drunk in front of your girlfriend ; to show off your a mench (MAN) by inhaling liguor , wine , and beer! Philly's had an insurmountable problem with gang violence trough out it's history , more so after WW2 , And later Korea. I think in 1966 , or 1968 Philly had in the neighbor hood of about 444 homicides , nearly 80 percent gang related deaths. NOW ! Nearly 350 , and with 5 months to go, the city may top over 500 to , possibly 600 , potentially Evan more ! Most drug related. Philly is probably in at least in the top 5 to 4 in shooting homicides this year . Back , maybe 8 yr. ago it was in the top 2 in the nation . Police officers feel helpless , due to their unprofessional attitude in handling SUSPECTS , of mostly minorities , and brutality methods used on so- called stereotype suspects on some bogus probable cause issues . Majority of police do work within the parameters of their jobs, but one bad apple potentially can spoil the whole barrel for the whole bunch , and That's bad PR for the whole bunch causing a gap betwn: police and citizens , especially with minorities ; which I question about the minorities being a minority. Anyway , this outlook on law enforcement is causing carte blanche to the fueling of horrendous law breaking , and how gangs feel in being more comfortable in gun violence that is mostly drug , and selling drugs on some other gangs turf , and being riped off money that's owed to them The recidivism is ever getting increasingly worse. The NRA needs to work the this , and future , administration to curb the increasing gun violence that's Evan frightening police forces in this nation. Compliances have to be made without infringing the "Right to Bare Arms " amendment ; one of the amendments in USAs Bill Of Rights in the country of USAs Constitution ; part of the 1st 10 amendments !

[@DEMONTIMEWITHDUTCHPODCAST]

no matter how much ppl in these comments talk bad about gangs they will never ever ever go away...

[@tttuu3309]

I love this channel window of the past

[@llClassifiedll]

6:48 that boy said “laid in the cut” 😂 man this shi is crazy. When old heads say what we doing aint nothing new that shi is true asf.

[@llClassifiedll]

@feese mass i believe it. Ima 1999 baby but always respect the elders and listen. I believe what they be saying. A lot of mfs my age and gen just dont be know cause they dont listen lol

[@missretrolove2664]

The song they're singing around 4:33 sounds similar to the song Moptity mope (1959) by The Bosstones.

[@erikt454]

I rather enjoyed that as well, and finally tracked it down- It's a cover of The Spinners' 1966 "Truly Yours."

[@jmo5087]

Interesting !

[@Punketeria1369]

This is great; awesome filming too. chEErs, 93

[@greglongmore6503]

Man this was pretty damn good

[@Mr3420]

Another reason I love my mother and Grandmother so much. This was my pops an uncles, smh, these the men that raised or influenced a lot of us, an not in the right way. Thank God an blessings to all single mothers

[@nicolebutler2860]

Don't single mothers choose who they procreate with? Why not ask God to deliver Black men and women from generational curses? There is no honor in being a single mother. God didn't design it that way.

[@Mr3420]

@@nicolebutler2860 What, you missed my whole point. An i will pray to God for who i want, not who u want me to. If i want to thank whoever, thats on me. Lol. But why you do mad, what real issue in your life? Lol. An also, people do change, for good an bad. So why you mad that i would want to thank a person do what they did? What did you do?

[@MikeMikeActual]

This was back when being tough was still just a fistfight & sometimes weapons were used but not necessarily to kill the other person but to hurt them bad!! Then it got to the point where people were too afraid to catch an ass-whooping so they started using firearms!! This was also back when people lived by a certain code & most of the time even your enemies followed the same code, it was honorable!! Today the game's all fucked up!!

[@slushbeats5417]

what was the gang members name who directed this documentary? what else did he go on to direct? did any of the actors go on to star in other movies? this is really amazing, the editing is also pretty good

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

There was no single director. To my knowledge, they did not go on to become filmmakers but I am not sure of that. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@yusiyola2011]

This is cool as hell

[@cityoftrees9953]

This is why the youth is doomed. And it happens generation after generation. Imagine being a kid playing outside. Where kids are supposed to play. But the thing is, there’s adults outside with a child’s mind also playing outside. The kids look up to these guys just because they are older and the things they are doing looks fun. So they idolize and Imitate. Only to find themselves playing a whole new game they never played before. The streets. And by time they know the game it’s too late.

[@ryanbridges3232]

Black lives matter though....

[@a.garcia7127]

Well said. Greetings from the Bronx NY.

[@rightweaponry908]

This is a great film, really interesting but also super cinematic and i love the use of music throughout.

[@jj-nh8lz]

54 years ago. I wonder how many of these guys are still alive?

[@Originalman360]

My Dad & Uncle lived on 57th & Chestnut street (The Barbary Coast) but ran with the Moon Gang (60th & Market) like 4 blocks away and used to have to rumble EVERY DAY to get to 60th & Market and to get back home at night! The Coast finally said listen y’all getting a pass cuz we ain’t doing this every day & night😂

[@jeffengland9913]

Some things never change. Just the people living the life.

[@tainosavage2169]

Hip hop was in the making but no one knew it.😜.💯👍🏾✊🏾

[@rosehughes5705]

Old school sad rap...and the beat goes on...

[@donjones263]

This is 1968 & that gang chant was actually rapping or proto rapping. Also did anyone else realize at 2:35 is a melody Micheal Jackson used in his song "The way you make me feel"

[@josephhuether1184]

…and not a firearm in sight. Pete Hamill writes about youth gang rumbles in his Park Slope neighborhood in the 40s and 50s in “A Drinking Life”. Every borough in NYC had them back in the day.

[@shotalife8299]

I remember that name. He also wrote for the Post or Daily News right?

[@josephhuether1184]

@@shotalife8299 Actually…he wrote for both and was editor at both, at one point LOL simultaneously.

[@shotalife8299]

Aah ok. Bad man!

[@bihmthethird]

Misdirected warrior energy, caged and enraged...trapped in the dark.

[@trayquanwilliams9991]

Bro facts.. These white folks put our god energy and a bottle a d closed the top... Shit is sad...they took away our identities ... Damn

[@nasaihyana]

My uncle's from diamond St back in the 60s...I've heard all these stories and seen the repercussions. All my uncle's served time and had drug an alcohol issues. Most weren't capable of raising Thier children and the cycle continued thru my family in the 80s 90's and 2000s

[@hansmoser989]

this is great, greets from a pale one. the hood, the family, the place where you livin... h.m.