When people think of Oakland , they think of hustle, heart, and authenticity — and few families embody that spirit more than that of Bay Area rap legend Too Short . But behind the success of the iconic rapper stood a man who played a different, yet equally powerful role in the city’s streets and culture: Wayne Shaw , Too Short’s older brother and one of the most respected figures to ever come out of Oakland. While Too Short rose to international fame in the late 1980s and 199

The story of Grady Stiles Jr. , known across America as the “Lobster Boy,” is one of the most shocking and tragic sagas to ever emerge from the world of circus sideshows. Born with a rare congenital condition known as ectrodactyly , which caused his hands to form in the shape of claws, Stiles became both a spectacle and a star in the traveling carnival circuit. But behind the fame and fascination was a man whose life would spiral into a dark tale of violence, murder, and rev

In the heart of New Orleans during the 1980s and early 1990s, few names carried more weight—or more fear—than Glenn Metz . Known as the powerful leader of The Metz Gang , he built one of the most dominant and dangerous drug organizations the city had ever seen. Operating primarily out of the city’s notorious housing projects, Metz’s empire became a symbol of both the ruthless efficiency and devastating impact of the crack cocaine era in America. Born and raised in New Orleans

From the streets of South Side, Queens to the boardrooms of the music industry, Chaz Williams lived one of the most remarkable—and unlikely—stories in American criminal and cultural history. Known in legend as the man behind over 60 bank robberies , Williams’ name still echoes through the streets of New York and the halls of hip-hop history. His life was one of sharp intelligence, high-risk hustle, and ultimate reinvention. In his early years, Chaz Williams became infamous f

In the intricate and dangerous streets of New Orleans, one name echoes through the annals of crime history: Richard Pena. A figure of both fear and fascination, Pena's story is a complex saga of power, ambition, and corruption that left an indelible mark on the Crescent City. Hailing from the Westbank of New Orleans and of Dominican descent, Richard Pena rose from relative obscurity to orchestrate one of the largest drug operations the city had ever seen. In the early 1990s,

The late Roland “Pops” Bartlett was one of the most influential yet lesser-known figures in Philadelphia’s criminal underworld. Emerging from humble beginnings as a runner for the infamous “Black Mafia” during the turbulent 1960s, Bartlett would go on to build one of the most extensive and organized drug operations the city had ever seen. His empire, known simply as “The Family,” was a powerful organization that blended street operations with corporate sophistication—making

In the Memphis underworld , few names carry as much weight as Craig Petties — a figure whose rise from the city’s streets to building a multi-million-dollar drug empire is the stuff of legend. Petties wasn’t just another street hustler; he was a strategist, a connector, and one of the most powerful figures to ever emerge from the Mid-South. Born and raised in Memphis, Craig Petties began his ascent in the local drug trade before expanding far beyond the city limits. His ope

Carlos Marcello wasn’t polished. He had no formal education and little command of the English language—but what he did  have was an unmatched understanding of people, power, and politics. Despite his rough exterior, the reputed mob boss became one of the most influential—and feared—figures in New Orleans history. To many, he was the overseer of everything that went wrong in the city. His power extended through the governor’s mansion, the state legislature, and the judicial sy

In the gritty, fast-moving streets of Harlem during the 1970s — an era shaped by the drug trade and notorious figures like Frank Lucas and Frank Matthews — one name rose to legendary status despite her youth: Maxine “Red Top” Walters. By just 16 years old, Red Top had become a teenage millionaire, defying every odd and carving her place in Harlem’s underworld history. Known for her striking beauty, extravagant lifestyle, and unmatched boldness, she was a force who turned head

In the heart of New Orleans , where legends and stories of the streets intertwine with the city’s deep musical and cultural roots, one name stands out as a figure of power, respect, and influence — El Broadnax , known to many as The Godfather of the Calliope Projects . During his reign, El Broadnax built what was described as a multi-million-dollar street empire , with estimates placing his fortune at around $10 million — an unheard-of figure in that era for someone coming f