Fruit Town Piru

Fruit Town Piru
Fruit Town Piru members
Founded1970s
TerritoryEast side of Compton but active in Houston, Newark and Birmingham
EthnicityPrimarily African-American
AlliesCedar Block Piru
Campanella Park Piru
Westside Piru
Compton Varrio Locos
RivalsMob Piru
Tree Top Piru
Southside Compton Crips
Santana Blocc Compton Crips
Front Hood Compton Crips
Park Village Compton Crips
Carver Park Compton Crips
Grape Street Watts Crips
Compton Varrio Tortilla Flats

The Fruit Town Piru (also known as the Fruit Town Piru Bloods) are a "set" of the Piru gang alliance, which itself is part of the larger Bloods alliance. This Piru set is known for its rivalry with the Mob Piru Bloods during the early 2000s.[1]

History

Formation

The Fruit Town Piru formed in the 1970s in Compton, California. The gang was named after the various streets in their neighborhood which were named after fruits, such as Plum Street, Cherry Street, Apple Street, and Peach Street.[2]

Feud with Mob Piru

Suge Knight, who was affiliated with the Mob Piru, hired members of several Blood sets, including the Fruit Town Piru to work for Death Row Records.[3] George "G" Williams worked as a bodyguard for Knight, until he was fired for failing to return two Death Row Records cars which he borrowed.[4] Several bodyguards from Death Row Records tried to abduct and murder Williams, who escaped, but was shot in the buttocks.[5]

After this, Williams became a close associate of Rodrick Cardale “Lil Rod” Reed, a member of the Fruit Town Piru.[4] The pair are alleged to be behind the murders of several Mob Pirus, including:[6]

Rappers affiliated with Fruit Town Piru

Chris Brown has been seen using Fruit Town Piru gang signs.[9] Soulja Boy has talked about his affiliation with the gang, stating:[10]

"I’m from Bompton, Fruit Town Piru. I’m a member of the Blood gang. CB is too, supposedly. Once we came out to LA, that’s who we got down with".

Bloody Mary, who was part of the gangsta rap group Bloods & Crips, was affiliated with the Fruit Town Piru.[11]

References

  1. ^ Winton, Richard (2003-01-22). "Probe of Rap Shootings Leads to Charges Against 2". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  2. ^ "Fruit Town Piru". 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  3. ^ Philips, Chuck (2003-07-31). "As Associates Fall, Is 'Suge' Knight Next?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-04-01. Knight hired Bloods from three feuding factions — the Mob Pirus, the Lueders Park and the Fruit Town Pirus
  4. ^ a b Pugmire, Lance; Phillips, Chuck (2005-07-29). "Knight ex-bodyguard convicted in PCP case". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  5. ^ Philips, Chuck (2003-07-31). "As Associates Fall, Is 'Suge' Knight Next?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-04-03. In response, several other bodyguards tried to abduct and kill the man, according to people with knowledge of the dispute. The bodyguard escaped but was shot in the buttocks.
  6. ^ Brennan, Tim; Ladd, Robert (2017). Once upon a time in Compton. Houston, Texas. ISBN 978-1-944359-52-2. OCLC 995055890.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ Winton, Richard (January 22, 2003). "Probe of Rap Shootings Leads to Charges Against 2". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Philips, Chuck (2003-08-01). "As Associates Fall, Is 'Suge' Next?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  9. ^ "Chris Brown -- He's No Gang Member -- But Bloods Are Cool With Him Representin'". TMZ. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  10. ^ VIBE (2017-01-07). "YG Denounces Soulja Boy & Chris Brown's Ties To Bompton". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  11. ^ "Bloody Mary (Rapper)". United Gangs. 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2023-03-29.