CHICAGOHOODZ
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  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • NEWS
  • HOODZ
    • CiCERO / BERWYN
      • 12th Street Players
      • Noble Knights
      • Latin Angels
    • LITTLE VILLAGE
      • Cullerton Deuces
      • Ridgeway Lords
      • Stone Kents
      • Two-Six
      • Two-Two Boys
      • Villa Lobos
    • Gaylords
    • HUMBOLDT PARK
      • Maniac Latin Disciples
      • Maniac Campbell Boys
      • Spanish Cobras
      • Insane Cullerton Boys
      • Insane Dragons
      • Latin Jivers
    • Insane Popes (North Side)
    • Latin Kings
    • Simon City Royals
    • PILSEN
      • Ambrose
      • Bishops
      • Kool Gang
      • Latin Counts
      • Laflin Lovers
      • La Raza
      • Morgan Boys
      • Morgan Deuces
      • Party People
      • Racine Boys
      • Satan Disciples
      • Two-One
    • Taylor Street Jousters
    • Unknown Assassins
    • Vice Lords
      • Spanish VIce Lords
    • Latin Stylers
    • Spanish Gangster Disciples
    • Stoned Freaks
    • Sin City Boys
    • Royal Capris
    • Party Players
    • Nike Boys
    • Milwaukee Kings
    • Latin Pachucos
    • Latin Dragons
    • Latin Brothers
    • Latin Stylers
    • Krazy Getdown Boys
    • Insane Popes (South Side)
    • Insane Majestics
    • Insane Deuces
    • Howard Street Greasers
    • Harrison Gents
    • Gangster Disciples
    • East Village
      • Playboys
      • Ashland Vikings
    • Back of the Yards
      • Latin Souls
      • Saints
      • City Knights
    • Wicker Park
      • Insane Unknowns
      • Spanish Lords
      • Warlords
    • Familia Stones
    • Black P-Stones
    • Chi-West
    • Folk Nation (Folks)
    • C-Note$
    • Lake View
      • Latin Eagles
      • Paulina Barry Community
    • Black Souls
    • Black Gangsters
    • Black Disciples
    • Adidas Boys
  • CONTACT
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        "THICK AS A BIBLE AND GONNA BLOW MINDS"
                        +++


   "A remarkable and important book, a vivid and enlightening trip into our city's gangster past that does not contain stories about a guy who went by 'Scarface.' Lavishly illustrated, it traces the history, development and complexities of the neighborhood street gangs with assurance and intelligence and a focus on their creative spirit." — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune



Volume one from the original Chicago street gang research website, Compliments of Chicagohoodz is a rare, private collection of gang business cards, photos, and ephemera. The book deciphers the intricate and arcane visual language and graphic design of Chicago’s gangs, drawing upon decades of embedded journalism, interviews, documentation, and collecting of memorabilia, and featuring commentary from gang members and artists.

The practice of creating and distributing street gang business (“compliment”) cards was popular in Chicago for over fifty years. These displayed the organization and branch, its active and fallen members, and rivalries. Compliments of Chicagohoodz tells the stories behind the names, bringing the reader closer to the individuals who created, owned, and added their personal touches to the card as it passed from hand to hand. Over 675 cards with commentary.

James “Jinx” O’Connor’s photographic documentation of gang graffiti and members captures a lost era of large-scale promotional murals (“emblems”). The book also explores other forms of branding from Chicago's tribal "nations," including varsity-style sweaters, embroidered patches, and drawings. Through these images, Compliments of Chicagohoodz traces the development and consolidation of the neighborhood street organization: from doo-wop to hip-hop; from greasers and girl gangs to gangster rap; from dances, bands, and softball teams to racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and domestic terror.

Compliments of Chicagohoodz: Chicago Street Gang Art & Culture (Feral House) is available from Amazon and other booksellers. Full color, 375 pages.

Feral House
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indiebound



  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • NEWS
  • HOODZ
    • CiCERO / BERWYN
      • 12th Street Players
      • Noble Knights
      • Latin Angels
    • LITTLE VILLAGE
      • Cullerton Deuces
      • Ridgeway Lords
      • Stone Kents
      • Two-Six
      • Two-Two Boys
      • Villa Lobos
    • Gaylords
    • HUMBOLDT PARK
      • Maniac Latin Disciples
      • Maniac Campbell Boys
      • Spanish Cobras
      • Insane Cullerton Boys
      • Insane Dragons
      • Latin Jivers
    • Insane Popes (North Side)
    • Latin Kings
    • Simon City Royals
    • PILSEN
      • Ambrose
      • Bishops
      • Kool Gang
      • Latin Counts
      • Laflin Lovers
      • La Raza
      • Morgan Boys
      • Morgan Deuces
      • Party People
      • Racine Boys
      • Satan Disciples
      • Two-One
    • Taylor Street Jousters
    • Unknown Assassins
    • Vice Lords
      • Spanish VIce Lords
    • Latin Stylers
    • Spanish Gangster Disciples
    • Stoned Freaks
    • Sin City Boys
    • Royal Capris
    • Party Players
    • Nike Boys
    • Milwaukee Kings
    • Latin Pachucos
    • Latin Dragons
    • Latin Brothers
    • Latin Stylers
    • Krazy Getdown Boys
    • Insane Popes (South Side)
    • Insane Majestics
    • Insane Deuces
    • Howard Street Greasers
    • Harrison Gents
    • Gangster Disciples
    • East Village
      • Playboys
      • Ashland Vikings
    • Back of the Yards
      • Latin Souls
      • Saints
      • City Knights
    • Wicker Park
      • Insane Unknowns
      • Spanish Lords
      • Warlords
    • Familia Stones
    • Black P-Stones
    • Chi-West
    • Folk Nation (Folks)
    • C-Note$
    • Lake View
      • Latin Eagles
      • Paulina Barry Community
    • Black Souls
    • Black Gangsters
    • Black Disciples
    • Adidas Boys
  • CONTACT