Abstract
Crips and Bloods-traditional gangs whose mere names conjure up fearful images of violence and destruction-are no longer at the forefront of the gang reality in Sacramento. Instead, influenced by the Bay Area-based rap music subculture of Hyphy, gangs calling themselves "Families," "Mobbs," and "Camps" are believed to be creating a new, hybridized gang culture. Sources of Data Employing grounded theory methods of qualitative data analysis, this paper examines four key areas in which this Hyphy-gang relationship is being portrayed: media created by people within the Hyphy movement; news sources covering Hyphy; trial transcripts that focus on offenders and victims who are believed to be involved in the Hyphy movement and gang culture; and police reports and media releases concerning this relationship. Ultimately, I am concerned with addressing one key question: How new is this "new" reality? Conclusions Reached The data clearly demonstrates that the three themes examined; acts of retaliation for disrespect, snitching, and remembering the dead, are handled the same way by the three types of African American gangs that Sacramento County has.