YouTuber 1090 Jake has sent shockwaves through the streets and the hip-hop world, unearthing a 1968 news article that claims Larry Hoover, co-founder of the Gangster Disciples, snitched on two rival gang members. This revelation, shared in a recent video, challenges Hoover’s mythic status as a Chicago gang legend and reignites debates about his legacy. Hypefresh dives into the details of this explosive find, Hoover’s criminal history, the evolution of the Gangster Disciples, and its ties to modern-day rappers.
At just 17, Larry Hoover was already a rising star in Chicago’s gang scene when he was shot in the leg outside Francis W. Parker High School. According to the article uncovered by 1090 Jake, Hoover pointed the finger at James Highsmith and Leonard Longstreet, the rival Devil’s Disciples members, leading to their arrests. This act of cooperating with police, considered a betrayal in gang culture, has sparked heated discussions on platforms like Reddit, where fans and critics are dissecting what it means for Hoover’s reputation. Was this a strategic move to survive a brutal gang war, or a crack in his street credibility?
Born on November 30, 1950, in Jackson, Mississippi, Hoover moved to Chicago at age four. By 13, he was running with the Supreme Gangsters, committing theft and muggings. In the late 1960s, he merged his crew with David Barksdale’s Black Disciples to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, later simplified to Gangster Disciples. Known as “King Larry,” Hoover built a criminal empire that dominated
His rap sheet grew quickly. In 1970, Hoover was linked to the murder of 19-year-old William “Pooky” Young, a drug dealer in Englewood. Convicted in 1973, he received a 150-to-200-year state prison sentence. That same year, a 24-year-old was kidnapped, and a witness set to testify against Hoover was found dead in an alley with two gunshot wounds to the head, further tying him to violent retribution.
Despite being locked up, Hoover’s influence didn’t wane. He continued to run the Gangster Disciples from prison, leading to a 1997 federal conviction on 40 counts, including conspiracy, extortion, and drug trafficking, earning him six life sentences. Federal prosecutors estimated the gang, under Hoover’s command, raked in $100 million annually from drug sales, with operations spanning over 24 states.
In a surprising turn, President Donald Trump commuted Hoover’s federal sentences on May 28, 2025, citing his advocacy for prison reform. However, Hoover remains incarcerated at ADX Florence in Colorado, serving his state sentence with a projected parole date of 2062, when he would be 111 years old. His legal team, backed by figures like Kanye West, argues he’s reformed, rebranding the Gangster Disciples as “Growth and Development” to focus on community initiatives. Critics, including former prosecutor Ron Safer, call him one of Illinois’ most notorious criminals, pointing to his continued influence over gang activities.
The Gangster Disciples emerged from the merger of Hoover’s Supreme Gangsters and David Barksdale’s Black Disciples in the late 1960s. After Barksdale died in 1974, Hoover consolidated power, but the Black Disciples later split off, becoming a rival faction.
Today, the Black Disciples remain a significant force in Chicago, often clashing with Gangster Disciples sets. Both groups operate under the broader “Black Disciple Nation” umbrella but function as distinct entities with their leadership and territories. The Black Disciples are known for their presence in areas like Englewood and have been linked to high-profile violence, including the 2011 murder of rapper Lil JoJo, though no direct connection to Hoover exists.
With Hoover, now 74, confined to a supermax prison, the Gangster Disciples’ leadership has fragmented. Court documents and law enforcement reports suggest no single figure has replaced Hoover as the centralized “king.” Instead, regional leaders, often called “governors” or “board members,” oversee operations in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Memphis. Gregory “Shorty G” Shell, Hoover’s former second-in-command, was a key figure until President Joe Biden commuted his life sentence in January 2025. Shell, 67, remains in federal custody, and his current role in the gang is unclear.
As noted by rapper G Herbo in a 2017 interview, Chicago’s gang landscape has shifted, where he claimed there are “no chiefs” left on the streets, with younger members operating in decentralized sets. Despite this, federal prosecutors in 2021 alleged Hoover still exerts influence over some Gangster Disciples factions, though his lawyers argue he’s disconnected from gang life.
Modern-Day Rappers Associated with the Gangster Disciples
The Gangster Disciples’ influence extends deep into hip-hop, with several rappers openly or allegedly tied to the gang. Notable names include:
Rick Ross: His 2010 hit “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” references Hoover, comparing his hustle to the gang leader’s empire. A 2016 federal indictment claimed Ross paid $3 million to the Gangster Disciples for using Hoover’s name, though no charges were filed against him.
Lil Durk: The Chicago rapper, born Durk Banks, is associated with the OTF (Only The Family) collective, which has ties to Gangster Disciples sets in Chicago’s South Side. His lyrics often reference street life, though he’s never explicitly claimed GD membership.
Fredo Santana: The late Chicago drill rapper was openly affiliated with the Gangster Disciples, repping the “300” set in Englewood. His music, like “Beef,” glorified gang conflicts.
Chief Keef: Another drill pioneer, Keef’s ties to the Black Disciples have fueled rivalries with GD-affiliated rappers, though he’s collaborated with GD members like Lil Reese, showing the fluid nature of gang affiliations in music.
The Gangster Disciples’ reach also extends to Atlanta, where rappers like Young Thug and Gunna, indicted in 2022 for alleged ties to the YSL (Young Stoner Life) gang, were accused of connections to GD factions. While YSL is a distinct entity, prosecutors alleged an overlap with Gangster Disciples activities in Georgia.
Hoover’s story remains a lightning rod. Kanye West, now Ye, has championed his release, organizing the 2021 Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert with Drake to raise awareness for prison reform. West’s 2018 Oval Office meeting with Trump also pushed for Hoover’s clemency, framing him as a reformed figure. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some users praising the commutation as justice for an aging inmate, while others, like former FBI officials, insist Hoover’s influence still fuels Chicago’s violence.
The Gangster Disciples remain active, with federal indictments in 2016 targeting 38 members, including 22 from Georgia, for racketeering and murder. The gang’s estimated 6,000 members continue to drive significant criminal activity, though its structure is less cohesive than in Hoover’s heyday.
