Frank Lucas - The True Story of the American Gangster

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[@Biographics]

Thanks to Keeps for sponsoring this video! Head to keeps.com/Biographics to get 50% off your first Keeps order.

[@derricklittle5707]

Love the channel Especially Love the Gangster/ Crime Lord Cant wait to see more off them

[@waynehighfield2094]

Can you please do a video on Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh.

[@Tremont24]

Please do Booker T. Washington next

[@George77333]

@@Far-Right_Celt pp

[@jimmynickelz]

Frank Matthews.

[@pamelamays4186]

Awesome video. Please, more bios like this one.

[@Niko76239]

What I didn't like about the movie American Gangster was that Frank Lucas was portrayed as a well spoken sophisticated man who just happened to be a criminal when in fact he was anything but sophisticated. If you watch any Nicky Barnes interviews you'll realize right away that the character that Denzel Washington played was actually closer to Barnes than Lucas. Also Frank Lucas was from the south and Denzel Washington didn’t speak with a southern accent when portraying Lucas so that kinda bugged me too

[@ignitionfrn2223]

2:35 - Chapter 1 - Early years 5:35 - Chapter 2 - A menace to society 7:55 - Chapter 3 - A disciple of bumpy johnson 10:40 - Chapter 4 - The cadaver connection 15:05 - Chapter 5 - American gangster

[@izzolanga]

MVP

[@slime4ktjay870]

You the goat 🐐 bro 🙏

[@pamelamays4186]

Once again I'm impressed by the animated photos.

[@stormengine3261]

I come to all these videos just to hear Simon's voice. Dude be captivating and entrances with his knowledge

[@briancross7835]

1:19 The ultra-British way you said "dope" really made my day, Mr. Whistler.

[@meekmozart5216]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Remianen]

Finally something I can relate to. Blue Magic wasn't only sold specifically in Harlem. It was also sold to dealers in Brooklyn and Queens and the yuppies would often get their product from dealers outside of Harlem, often out of so-called "number holes". (In the 70s and 80s, you probably didn't want to be caught in Harlem after dark if you didn't have sufficient levels of melanin in your skin). Frank's group controlled Harlem and much of the South Bronx as well as Manhattan down to about Columbus Circle (Times Square hadn't been Disney-fied yet so the area around Port Authority bus terminal was like the dark web market is now, with a lot of that stuff coming from the big drug outfits like Frank's).

[@monetschannel5773]

I heard some people put blue magic in their hair on their scalp have you ever heard this?

[@user-ci8gj4ex5o]

@@monetschannel5773 that was Soul Glo.

[@pinklady4772]

@@monetschannel5773 I believe there is hair grease called blue magic, but that's probably not what you're talking about.

[@TTGTO288]

I call BS !!!

[@michaelbooth2890]

I always thought the cadaver connection was the oddest thing about American Gangster. I couldn't understand how Lucas would lack the foresight to realise the war would end at not come up with another method of trafficking the heroin.

[@coreymasoy7034]

Great episode ❗

[@SEAZNDragon]

The Cadaver Connection sounds worthy of a Casual Criminalist episode. First time I heard the term but not the first I heard of smuggling via coffins. Jim Webb, a Vietnam vet who went on to be Secretary of the Navy and a US senator, recounted after he returned from Vietnam he went to law school and had a class taught by a recent graduate who was part of the anti-war movement. The two didn't get along and during a test the professor wrote a question regarding a soldier smuggling drugs from Vietnam in the bodies of dead soldiers and the professor named the soldier "Jimmy Webb."

[@KingHunter868]

Great movie Great bio-graphic!

[@jbali101]

Videos like this show me how as time goes on we get more facts and other accounts about what we used to just take as truth and release most people from the past are liars or lies are told about them to make them better or bigger then they were because stories are better as easier then facts for most people

[@FIDEL_CASHFLOW_]

But you also have to remember that people have been embellishing stories like this since the beginning of time. As someone becomes more and more famous those who are tangently related to the story might exaggerate or fabricate details to suit their own purposes.

[@jbali101]

@@FIDEL_CASHFLOW_ that's true I'm just glad corrections are being made and we have more media how-to keep things more accurate going forward

[@franreid8203]

Packing heat! impressive Simon. LOL.

[@donovanbradford8231]

Great video, and I remember Michael Franzese mentioning Frakn Lucas once before in the same vain as Al Capone, meaning Hollywood glamorized the real person who made themselves out to be more important than they were, at least as far as the world of crime was concerned. But now I'd like to hear about Sargent Smack as he might be a more interesting video.

[@vasilkokinovski9212]

Excellent video. I would like to see a Biographics on Stanley Kubrick, Mother Teresa and Nicolae Ceausescu.

[@rosekemp4671]

Kubrick would be amazing,!

[@leroyhanna8670]

You need to do a video about Frank Matthews, out of all the so-called drug Legend nobody did it as big as him where most individuals had a location in a city, this man had multiple cities ,and went toe the toe with the mafia and considering he still on the fbi most wanted list in the intrigue surrounding his disappearance

[@daniel213141]

Al Profit has a good biography on Frank Matthews.

[@saltgamer7895]

You should cover Emil Lewis Holmdahl- Highly interesting life story, machine gunner, soldier of fortune (mercenary), spy, gun runner, and treasure hunter "He led one of America’s most famous generals into his first gun battle. He escaped a firing squad on several occasions. He fought for multiple causes on at least three continents.... His life was a cliché for adventure.... Frank might be described as a marital mercenary as he had three or more families and abandoned his Fort Dodge family to start another in California after doing the same in St. Paul, Minn. His father’s gallivanting may have influenced Holmdahl’s extraordinary wanderlust that led him to China, Central America, Mexico, Europe and the jungles of the Philippines. There are years missing in the timeline of his exploits with some evidence that he fought in Cuba and Venezuela, too" (Iowahistoryjournal, para 1-3).

[@KC_OnTheTrackLike]

Don't fall for this scam

[@michellehouse-hq7mh]

@@KC_OnTheTrackLike ''liazzé -faire supervision" is nothing

[@cryptopotimus]

The plastic beads they use as a graphic at the 6:30 mark is hilarious.. you can literally see the hole where the string goes through the beads...

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@bat2275]

Gutenberg the inventor of the printing press is one of the most important people in history. The printing press changed everything and accelerated the world into a modern times. I think he deserves a bio

[@denverparsons7330]

I’ve seen so many movies and shows about this dude. Crazy life

[@Jmnzz]

Denzel: *Smacks a paper cup off the table* "Don't you tell me!"

[@coachtetchannel]

The blue sweater. Nice touch 😉

[@Idarak1]

what was with that weird deepfake thing

[@MrCaptainA]

Will you be doing a video on Bumpy Johnson at some point in the future?

[@TheBitterSpinach]

Can't wait for HistoryBuffs to do a history review of American Gangster.

[@variaxi935]

2:39 homie lookin like a mix of OJ and Al Capone... that *IS* gangster

[@nathanhayes8593]

You should do a Video on Eugene Bullard, i recently learned about him (like very recently). Apparently he was given full honors and high ranking soldiers of the French army of ww1 gave their respects to him as if he were French, when in reality he was American

[@Endorfinjunkie]

You should make an episode about Richard Kuklinski, mafia hitman called 'iceman'. He seems like a mighty interesting guy

[@kennethhoopaugh1210]

Please do a biography on Alan Watts, Mr. Whistler, sir.

[@georgehill8285]

Funny enough I was listening to this while driving down Teaneck Road in Teaneck.

[@weinaddis5299]

That's a nice sweater.👍

[@TroutvilleTed]

"Sergeant Smack"🤣🤣🤣

[@whackedoutcookie4393]

Could you imagine if everything Lucas said was true and everyone else collectively just lied on him🤣 everyone just trolling tf outta him.

[@diypictures]

When it comes to history I highly doubt that's ever the case. Made up stories wrapped up in truths have been going on for thousands of years and will continue for even longer.

[@Erin-bd6jg]

Yeah I mean why would a murdering criminal sociopath lie?

[@user-ec6bg2uk9i]

Stranger things in this life has happened and were covered up. Fact is stranger than fiction. (Plus for the sake of argument it wouldn’t be that weird because most are out for themselves, don’t know the whole truth, or don’t want people to know the truth for several reasons, and the US gov is one of the biggest offenders of the last one. Especially during a period where POC were still heavily getting killed or assaulted and had it covered up by the police in the Southern States, and politicians and judges were getting paid to look the other way or “release someone on good behavior”). If you’re going to look into someone’s life depth please do the same for their environment(time period, sociological standing, ecosystem, geographic location history and social norms, and politics etc), but peace and love to all.

[@ScamLikely9327]

You need to give the people one about the Real Rick Ross.

[@stevenkidd6761]

He does amazing interviews, especially regarding the truth of the relationship of Nicaragua, cocaine and the CIA. Very cool dude 👽💨💨💨

[@mickmackle3014]

Give him credit first for the video

[@user-Bass_and_bucks42]

If Simon does a biographic on Rick Ross he should see if Rick Ross would be a guest on the show for that episode

[@v.emiltheii-nd.8094]

Probably the inspiration behind Lincoln from Mafia 3.

[@drewlovely2668]

Nice

[@joshuaescopete]

I’d like to propose Gen. John Pershing. Head of the Expeditionary Forces during WWI. His military career tells the story of America’s imperialism, from commanding Buffalo Soldiers during the Span-Am War to hunting Pancho Villa amidst the Mexican Revolution. Surely a life worthy of Biographics.

[@Hillbilly001]

"American imperialism"? Really? If that's so, where is the Mexican colonies? Or possessions? Nothing like Yank bashing, is there.

[@artturihautanen]

@@Hillbilly001 Is there no place free of whataboutists afraid of discussing the past

[@devinbullard7304]

I agree completely...he lived a fascinating life!!!

[@devinbullard7304]

@@Hillbilly001 I agree I wrote a paper on him in college, and he really wasn't an "imperialist". I suppose that could be up to the viewers if the episode is made.

[@Hillbilly001]

@@devinbullard7304 At Ft. Riley, Ks there's a museum dedicated to the 10th Cav.(Buffalo Soldiers) and Pershing is very prominent in it. Course the last I was there was in 1981. There's also a small display of other segregated units too. Got out of the Army in 1990 and I still would like to go back to Riley just for the museum. Cheers from Tennessee.

[@DummyYEEEAAHHHHH]

HEY SIMON DO A VIDEO ON THE MUSICAL GENIUS BRIAN WILSON !! Sorry for the all caps but I figured maybe it'll be seen. His life is a very,very interesting story. If you watch some old interviews I think you'll agree.... Also as a recovering addict with almost 2 years clean. At least 3 or 4 of those brand names still get stamped on bags to this day..at least in Camden,NJ and Kensinton,North Philly...also that repeating flash of the picture of Frank Lucas...it's kind of disturbing lol...like a gif but creepier.

[@syingram6677]

Brian and Dennis Wilson need their own bio by Simon seriously☝

[@thelammacus]

Hi Biographics! Can you please do J Edgar Hoover?

[@theoz-zone7470]

I'd like to ask for a Biographics on Jaques De Molay, the last Grandmaster of the Templar Order. He ushered in a golden age in both the Templars & the world itself via the financial realm & many other areas.

[@michellehouse-hq7mh]

Pays to be financially coherent. E438291SCI

[@joshuafrias2415]

The first time I have ever heard of him was through the Fate/Grand Order video game.

[@swipernoswiping3538]

Could you guys cover Lawrence Singleton?

[@victorvarganov876]

Can you do a biography on Field Marshal Alexander Suvorov

[@wilmcdnu1586]

Y'all should do a video on the strasser brothers

[@zaco-km3su]

It's worth saying that investigators not uncovering corruption in the local sheriff's department can be quite self serving. Depends who they are. Now, I wonder if Frank Lucas wasn't trying to keep his sources secret when he made all these claims besides trying to make himself look "cooler".

[@tomtheplummer7322]

La Grange named cities are world 🌎 wide. My favorite beyond Texas is in Australia. The Penfolds winery. A bottle of La Grange is worth almost $500 now. I should have bought all the cases at $200 a bottle 🤷‍♂️🤭✌️

[@glennrugar9248]

One of my favorite movies. So glad to learn more

[@seandawson5899]

You gonna shoot me? In front of everyone?

[@Caleb1874ya]

Jack Parsons I don’t think you’ve done yet…. Which is odd unless I just somehow missed it. So funny NASA named a crater on dark side of moon for him lol… but also that would be where he wanted it… glad you did THIS one about Frank Lucas too… dude was THE dude…

[@Caleb1874ya]

Yeah Simon has done Jack Parsons. Forgot.

[@ohspokes3716]

As someone from North Carolina stories like that first one are not uncommon at all

[@pinklady4772]

Exactly! My grandfather told us how he and his family had to turn off lights in the house and get down on the floor because the kkk was marching down their street in Georgia.

[@michellehouse-hq7mh]

Yeah rare not secret.

[@Siege181]

Can I propose Sir Stamford Raffles for one! British chap who founded the modern day port of Singapore against his orders from the East India Company

[@shatbad2960]

It used to be 13/50 but I think it's an even higher proportion now.

[@trj1442]

How about a Biographics episode on Admiral Richard E Byrd?

[@pbg_alpo9189]

Crazy to think no one knew who he was prior to that fight. But they saw a rich black man walk in looking like he is doing better or well off than a majority of whom he was around that night. Was immediately assumed a drug dealer or some sort of criminal activity

[@briandoss9232]

Huh. Never heard of him. Learn something every day.

[@mhamedkabal5242]

Simon rolling up with that beard.

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

How about a Bio on Bumpy`s boss? She was one heck of a woman. Keep up the good work!

[@Erik_mit_K]

Now I am curious who Atkinson is or was. Sounds like a good story as well

[@robert48044]

I'm leaving a comment early but wasn't he the person who got the rules about snitching changed federally?

[@guidorotunda1321]

I think Elizabeth I is long overdue for this channel

[@nateweaver31]

Do a video about Atahuallpa, last emperor of the Incas!!!

[@stevenkidd6761]

Lucas is a Boss! The Mafia didn't even fk with him as he carved out pieces of NYC for himself 🤜💥🤛

[@jrey800]

Can you do a video on Victor Emmanuel III…. A Brooklyn 99 meme, that I have no idea why he is, please?!

[@WizDaKid100]

Do Big Meech, Freeway (Rick Ross), Larry Hoover. Bumpy Johnnson,

[@adamblakeley2592]

Suggestion: Lieutenant Colonel John Butler (1728 - 1796) a loyalist who led Butler's Rangers which included affiliated Mohawk and other Iroquois nations' warriors. A Canadian hero and US war criminal. Most remembered in the US for the Cherry Valley massacre.

[@noahuncapher2254]

The movie was awesome

[@ghost_of_nyc6497]

Nicky Barnes aka Mr Untouchable please

[@RandomBogey]

7:51 is what the girls around campus called me back in college.

[@JoeStumbo]

Brother you couldn't have put a better picture of the man for the thumb nail?! My man's got bats in the cave.....

[@kartir4879]

plz make a video about "Maximiliano Hernández Martínez". He is the most interesting dictator ever.

[@dawidsmit1478]

Can you please do Bobby Fisher. Your biggest fan in Koekenaap. Dawid.

[@EddieisKrueger]

No mention of Nicky Barnes? He allegedly ran Harlem during that time period

[@TerryStewart32]

Nicky Barnes was heads and Shoulder over Frank Lucas. Lucas was known but he wasn’t the lion that Hollywood and he made himself to be. It’s the movie American Gangster that has canonise him into gangster folklore and not his actual activities which was pale in comparison to other noteworthy and influential figures like Nicky Barnes, Frank Matthews and Ike Atkinson whose life story he actually store to form the basis of his story that would eventually give birth to the film and create a legend out of him that largely based on myth and his own self aggrandising

[@PinkyJujubean]

The name Bumpy Johnson makes me giggle like Beavis and Butthead

[@TheRedjack77]

oh first 50.....the day is great

[@girldaddividendinvestor]

My man.

[@jameszog1018]

Day 3 of requesting a biographic on King Zog I of Albania

[@chickendrawsdogs3343]

"There you go, twenty percent."

[@rimfire8217]

Can You do J. Edgar Hoover the first. director of the FBI

[@eamalvy]

For those of you who like rap, there’s a Swedish rap track Frank Lucas by Einar… it’s banger, give it a listen! Just to let u know how famous this guys was 😂

[@tonyanthony5105]

Sgt Smack is a fantastic code name

[@66thedevilluis88]

Would love to see Sasaki Kojiro in the future. The Demon of the west.

[@jimmynickelz]

Frank Matthews is also an interesting story.

[@mgithaiga1]

I watched the movie American Gangster

[@jordan9369]

The american gangster movie based on him was amazing

[@joshflynn2173]

One of my favourites (probably to do me loving mafia movies)

[@gailmiller6333]

Jordan Agree!!!

[@ianashby6294]

Totally also the movie hoodlum with Lawrence fishburn as bumpy Johnson frank Lucas's mentor

[@theawesomeman9821]

Agree. Though Denzal looked nothing like Frank Lucas.

[@Stable_Genius]

Love the names for these guys! Lol

[@CoranceLChandler]

Want to get a criminal to confess? Pretend you did what they did and a little more

[@noahlogue3807]

I would like to request John Hunyadi Weiwold and Baron of the realm in Hungary who defended Eastern Europe from the Ottoman.

[@dominiquewilliams8687]

Crazy times when an investigation can be open just by showing up to a fight and having better seats as black man.

[@KingKong187911]

If you can’t have a full head of hair, have well groomed distinguished beard 😂😂😂

[@latoybell]

Is kind of said lifestyle that Frank had but it's kind of interesting to the question I want to know is he still living

[@bigcoins2320]

No he died some time ago. Lived his old days in freedom though.

[@Darth-Claw-Killflex]

EXACT same hair loss product (active ingredient) on Amazon (Goodsense) for about 90% less.

[@usstah]

Keeps you say....

[@SamSung-nf6tr]

Please do an indebt history on Merrick Garland. Contact the Podcasters of gaslite nation. Most is Work already done.

[@Erin-bd6jg]

Why would a murdering criminal sociopath lie?

[@doriandenard5846]

Simon, did you guys do some thorough research on this guy? Frank's a known liar and a snitch. 🙄

[@UwURainUwU]

"Keeps is half the price of a pharmacy" as someone in the UK, I doubt that. XD

[@da420wizard6]

Can’t you mfs get Codeine over the counter

[@UwURainUwU]

@@da420wizard6 Eyup.

[@sabrinadawson7026]

5:15

[@lopezbiglos]

Damn…25? That sucks man. I started I’d say….🤔 28-29…it started

[@jordansmith2647]

That's messed up using dead soldiers for smuggling

[@stevesunil8356]

8:15