The Crips are one of the biggest street gangs in the world. They were founded in Los Angeles, California. You can usually distinguish a Crip by what color he is wearing. Blue is the world wide color for all Crip gang members. Here is the most extensive Crip knowledge on the Internet.
They have built their reputation as being one the largest and the most violent street gangs in the America alongside their biggest rivals,the bloods.
Although the Crips started in South Central LA, the influence of the gang has spread to all corners of the United States and even Canada. Additionally, Crip sets are not all intertwined or connected, there are a lot of Crip gangs that are not official and have just taken on the Crip identity. There are also Crip sets that wage ware with other Crip sets, which makes it that much more interesting.
Membership is unknown and not reliable, the only documentation on membership is through the criminal justice system which can only guess to how many members there are in the World.
Creators of the Gang
The history states that Stanley “tookie” Williams and Raymond Lee Washington started the Crips in 1969. They formed the gang to protect and battle other rival gangs in their area. Most gangs at this time started because of racial discrimination, and it was a way to stay safe and form a brotherhood with friends and others in your neighborhood. The same way prison gangs “clique” up.
As mentioned at this point in time in History, Blacks were treated very poorly and were looked down upon. The youths had no choice but to band together and form there own gangs to take on the discrimination.
What do the Crips Stand For
There is a lot of uncertainty of the meaning of the Crip name, some think its an acronym for “community restoration in progress”. Another theory is, when the crips first started they walked around with canes, and the local news called them cripples or crips for short.
Signs and Colors
The crips gang sign is usually just a C shaped from your thumb and pointer finger, like the pictures displayed below.
As mentioned before the crip color is blue, its normally a navy bandana that they use to represent their colors, but all shades of blue usually mean that person is repping a crip set.
Sub Sets
There are a number of Crip sets all around north America here are the most popular sets, the more predominant Sets were started in LA, but branches of these sets have fractured off to different states and Countries. A few of the more well known Sets are as follows:
- Rollin 60 Crips
- The rollin 60s are a crip set in the Hyde Park are of South Los angeles, California. One of the oldest running crip sets, since their start in the mid 1970s. Check out their full history here.
- Rollin 20 Crips
- The rollin 20s are the second largest street gang on the east side of long beach, California. Check out their full history here.
Gang Initiation
There is no set initiation for getting into the gang. A lot of popular initiations are, getting beat up for 1 whole minute from all the members in the crew. There are also blood in blood out initiations, meaning, in order to get into the gang, you must kill someone. For females members, they must perform sexual acts, like having sex with all gang members, also called a gang bang
Meanings of Terms
Some popular lingo or sayings that crips usually say are:
BK: meaning Blood killer
Cuz: referring to another crip
Slob: an insult referring to a blood member
COB: Crips over bloods
Handshakes
With such a large sized gang there is no set handshake. Handshakes are different from set to set. It would be impossible for all members to have the exact same one.
Famous Members
A number of different crip members are actually in famous celebrities. You have to remember that before they were famous a lot of these people came from rough neighborhoods and still had to fend for themselves while growing up in the ghetto. Here are some famous crip gang members.
Some Famous Crips include:
- Raymond Washington
- Tookie Williams
- Monster Kody
- Crip Mac
Crip Rappers
Crips have penetrated the rap game since the 90s here is a list:
- Snoop Dogg
- Nate Dogg
- Eazy-E
- Warren G
- Kurupt
- MC Ren
- Young Jeezy
- Schoolboy Q
- 40 Glocc
- Nipsey Hussle.
Biggest Rivals
Biggest rivals to the crips are all blood gang members. This has been an ongoing beef since conception of the gang. But most street gangs including Mexican and Asian gangs are all rivaling gangs.
Crip on Crip Fighting
When the Crips first started they recruited other gangs into the Crips by sheer force. At one point Crips outnumbers other gangs 3 to 1. This would lead to the rise of the Crips rivals, the Bloods.
Due to the amount of Crips in LA it was destined to have other Crip Sets beef with each other.
One of the most famous Crip on Crip rivalries is the Deuce card VS the Trays.
Deuce or 2x is an alliance formed by Crip sets that are affiliated with the Neighborhood Crips as well as the Rollin 0s Sets. Most of these sets came to be by the West Side Crips gang which was Started by Tookie Williams.
The Trays or 3x are Crip sets that are known as the Gangster Crips.
The Rivalry stems from the Rollin 60s and Eight Tray Gangster Crips in 1979 and they have been fighting ever since.
Crips VS Bloods
The rivalry between the Crips and the Bloods stands as a testament to the complex social dynamics and challenges faced by urban communities in the United States. Originating in the streets of Los Angeles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, these two gangs have become emblematic of the struggles for power, identity, and survival in marginalized neighborhoods. This essay delves into the origins, symbols, territorial disputes, expansion, pop culture influence, and community impact of the Crips and the Bloods, shedding light on a phenomenon deeply embedded in American society.
The rivalry between the Crips and the Bloods revolves around territorial control, particularly in neighborhoods plagued by poverty, crime, and neglect. Competition over drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities fuels ongoing conflicts, leading to a cycle of violence characterized by drive-by shootings, murders, and retaliation. These territorial disputes not only perpetuate the cycle of violence but also exacerbate social tensions and instability within affected communities.
The rivalry between the Crips and the Bloods has permeated popular culture, inspiring numerous movies, documentaries, and songs that depict the harsh realities of gang life. Through rap lyrics, music videos, and other forms of media, gang affiliation has been glorified and commodified, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and glamorizing violence. While some members of both gangs have found success in the music industry, their influence often reinforces negative perceptions and stereotypes associated with gang culture.
Portrayal of the Crips in Pop Culture
The Crips, one of the most infamous street gangs in the United States, have undeniably left their mark on popular culture. Their presence has been portrayed and referenced in various forms of media, including movies, television shows, music, and literature. Here’s an exploration of the Crips’ influence in pop culture:
Movies and Television Shows:
Films such as “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), “Menace II Society” (1993), and “Training Day” (2001) depict the realities of gang life in Los Angeles, with references to the Crips and their rivalries.
TV shows like “The Wire” (2002-2008) and “Southland” (2009-2013) feature storylines involving gang activity, sometimes drawing inspiration from real-life gang dynamics, including those of the Crips.
Music:
Hip-hop music, in particular, has been instrumental in bringing the Crips’ culture and influence to a global audience. Many rappers have referenced their affiliation with the Crips or portrayed aspects of gang life in their lyrics.
Artists like Snoop Dogg, who openly identifies as a former member of the Rollin’ 20 Crips, have incorporated Crip culture into their music and public personas.
Additionally, rap groups like N.W.A. (nigg*z Wit Attitudes) often discussed the realities of gang violence and the influence of groups like the Crips in their music.
Literature:
Books and literary works have also explored the impact of the Crips on society, delving into the complexities of gang life and the challenges faced by individuals caught up in gang culture.
Authors such as Ice-T, who himself had ties to street gangs before becoming a successful rapper and actor, have written memoirs and novels that touch on their experiences with gangs like the Crips.
Fashion and Merchandise:
The iconic blue worn by the Crips has become a recognizable symbol, and elements of Crip fashion have been adopted by mainstream culture.
Some brands and fashion designers have incorporated Crip-related imagery into their collections, sometimes blurring the line between homage and exploitation.
Documentaries and News Coverage:
Documentaries like “Crips and Bloods: Made in America” (2008) provide an in-depth look at the history and impact of the Crips and their rivalries, offering insights into the social and economic factors that contribute to gang involvement.
News coverage of gang-related incidents often references the Crips, highlighting their continued presence and influence in urban communities across the United States.
Conclusion
Overall, the portrayal of the Crips in pop culture reflects society’s fascination with the complexities of gang life and the broader issues of race, poverty, and urban decay. While some representations may sensationalize or glamorize gang violence, others aim to shed light on the underlying social dynamics and challenges faced by individuals involved in gang culture. As such, the Crips remain a significant presence in pop culture, serving as a reminder of the enduring impact of street gangs on American society.
