Notorious Gangsters

Notorious gangsters are the gangsters that some rappers imitate and glorify. While Americans loathe and fear gangsters they also are entertained by their lifestyle. Gangsters do what most people don't do or won't do. Let's take a look at 3 of Americas most notorious gangsters. By the way even though people may "admire" gangsters, the lifestyle of a gangster is short lived, not many lived to tell their own story! Don't be fooled by what you see on t.v. it is not a way to live.

1.) Alphonse Gabriel Capone aka Al Capone- Al Capone started a crime syndicate that dealt in prohibition. Capone and his goons were known as the "Chicago Outfit." They smuggled and bootlegged liquor. They also dealt in prostitution which took place from the 1920's to the 1930's. Capone was born in Brooklyn and lived there until he was 14 years old. His parents were Italian immigrants. Capone's career started when he was 14 years old. At the age of 14 he moved to Chicago. He donated a lot of the money he made to charity.

Al Capone a notorious gangster is most remembered for the Saint Valentines Day Massacre. Seven of Capone's rivals were murdered that day at the hands of the Chicago Outfit.. Capone was convicted on tax evasion and was sent to federal prison. He served part of his term at the Alcatraz prison. He eventually suffered from a disease called nuerosyphillis which is a disease that attacks the central nervous system. Capone contracted the disease when he was a kid. He passed away on January 25,1947. He died from cardiac arrest after he had a stroke, Al Capone wasn't even 50 years old.

2.) Frank Lucas- Another notorious gangster is an African American by the name Frank Lucas. The film American Gangster was based on the life of Frank Lucas. In the 1960's and 1970's he was a huge heroin dealer. He was bigger than the mafia during his time. Frank basically had a monopoly in the drug trade. The streets of Harlem, NY was the territory for Lucas. Lucas cut out the middleman and purchased heroin directly in the Golden Triangle in Bangkok. It is said that Frank would smuggle drugs via the coffins of dead service men. Frank had 28 coffins made to look like government coffins except they had false bottoms. Each coffin was able to hold 6 to 8 kilos of heroin. Frank Lucas was mentored by Harlem's notorious gangster Bumpy Johnson.

Bumpy Johnson was wed to one of Lucas's cousins. An investigator was quoted as saying that it was the most ridiculous international drug smuggling scheme that he had ever scene. Frank was eventually arrested in the mid to late 70's. He was released from prison in 1991. His wife served 5 years in prison. They have been married for 40 years. Frank is still alive in his 80's. He fathered seven children. Lucas is the biggest known African American notorious gangsta.

3.) Ellsworth Raymond Johnson aka Bumpy Johnson- Bumpy Johnson was an African American mob boss and a bookmaker in NYC's Harlem. He was a big associate of the Genovese crime family. Bumpy was also associated with queen Madame Stephanie St.Clair. Johnson became a hero of harlem working alongside the Genovese Italian mafia. Jet magazine listed Bumpy Johnson under their celebrity section for his activities. Bumpy was sent to prison on charges of selling heroin. Many believed that Bumpy was framed, he did his bid in the Alcatraz prison. Johnson was arrested around 40 times.

Bumpy was released from jail in 1963 and was greeted with a parade. Johnson controlled crime in Harlem. No crime could be committed if it didn't go through Bumpy. Johnson is also known to have mentored Frank Lucas. Frank Lucas became a extremely wealthy notorious gangster. Bumpy died on July 7, 1968 at Wells restaurant in Harlem from a heart attack. He clenched his chest before 2am over a plate of hominy grits, a chicken leg and coffe. Bumpy died around the age of 1963.

These 3 gangstas made a definite mark an American history. Their lives were either cut short or their operation was eventually uncovered. Gangsters sure do get respect but in the end they are welcomed by prison or death.