Thank you for telling these stories of a history that does need to be told. Not just a cautionary tale of what not to do(Kenny "stay in school") but history of a proud people that looked out for their own when no one else would.
I knew a guy in London in the late 90s , he called himself Tango , he was a triad , people used to say he was Big Heads younger brother . I looked after his sisters kids for a while above the shop . Not seen Tango in years , I’ll never forget him . He used to take me to the Hippodrome on Tuesday nights , I was so in love with him , but he had a thing for my friend . First love for sure . I hope he’s safe and well.
Great content! I saw your insider interview and came right over. I always was kinda close by to what was going on in Chinatown because my mom worked at Gouverneur hospital for years. When we were younger, my brother and I were members of the Pitt st boys club so we would hang around a lot with kids from LES and near Chinatown. Takes me back hearing all these locations.
Your podcast is very informative. I was in USP Coleman 1 with the big brother David Thai, Tran was also there with us. My cellmate for many years is Khamar. Who went down from Philly to San Fran. And fell on the PKI jewelry store robbery. For many years I would sit and listen to their stories so I love to hear what you talk about because I've heard these stories firsthand from other men who are there. Keep up the great work
@@Ustuped3211 Even the Italian stuff is not getting veto’ed anymore. It’s all superheroes, blockbusters, love stories now, and some great niche ones here and there that could only be made with big names.
Saw the interview with insider, learned at the end that you had your own channel. Subbed, will binge watch and just commenting here to help with the algorithm.
i have been follow your podcast for a while and listened to all the stories about why, when and how every things goes down and with this episode you taking us to where it really took place it definitely painted a more completed picture of your history. much Mahalo.
This episode is so fascinating! Thank you for sharing these stories and the good old days with us. It is truly so nice to see the decades-long close friendships amongst all of you💙
Guys unfortunately none of the old neighborhoods are the same in the city. We grew up in the golden era of NYC. It’s hard to even recognize anymore. I loved the old Manhattan. Every neighborhood had its own flavor.
White people from Idaho moved in and now call themselves new Yorkers. Meanwhile we Asians are the real new Yorkers. And Hollywood never shows it. It's like we don't exist.
Kenny showing us his hiding spots for his burner is so awesome. 😂 People who aren’t from NYC don’t understand what it used to be like. Chinatown was hectic. Little Italy is right around the corner.
Every spot you did a interview on i walked on everyday as a kid i went to P.s.1 and Is.131 it looks very different now i havnt been to new york for almost 15 years.. love the video and it definitely brings back memorys. Keep up the good work
Get some DJI or Rode wireless mics so they dont have to mess around with it and they can walk freely a couple hundred feet if they want and still be clear. Love your work and channel.
Looking back 30 yrs at the streets now must be strange you all still got your backs up watching everything I passed my childhood home after 35 yrs n everything had changed in street n my house mad but you guys hopefully get through to some younger kids n stop them joining gangs ❤❤
We had arcades too in SF Chinatown, too bad our's closed down awhile back. One of my best friend's wife's dad was Hotdog Louie, one of the founding fathers of Wah Ching. I met him a few times before his passing. Love the history stories from you guys, keep up the good work!.
Great job. Very interesting. Now I check out same places you show when I go to the China Town. I am from Brighton Beach, and it also changes from the 90's, just like China Town.
he grew up as a kid in new york inside and outside of chinatown.....while the other guys came here in their teens and only stayed in Chinatownand chinese communitites so they kept a chinese accent. kind of like my dad witha boston accent but my mom who lived here since she was 14 can barely speak fluent english kuz she only stayed around other vietnamese communities, lol
I remember going to the arcade to play Street Fighter 2 when it came out after kung fu school at Tiger Claw in the early 90s.I know it’s a dangerous place but I was never picked on, not sure if I’m lucky or should be thankful , but it brings me back to memory lane
I've been going to Mei Lai Bakery since the mid 80's. They still have the best Roast pork buns anywhere and cheap. We would go to Division street for Dim Sum, then stop in the arcade with the Live Chicken Tic Tac toe. In all the years and times I've gone I never had a clue that was the association next door. Never had a problem, ever. The streets were actually safer back then. We stayed out of all the gangs business, they keep the streets safe and no one ever bothered us even at 3am. The restaurants were jammed late at night. Everyone knew not to get into any issues in those neighborhoods. Very safe. Mind your business, don't do anything to attract attention to yourself, be respectful, spend your money and have a great time. As non-chinese we knew what not to do in both neighborhoods. Now, it's almost like a NJ shopping mall. He's right that in 10-20 years there will be no more Chinese in Chinatown just like Little Italy. It's not as safe. I've seen the stores and restaurants workers get hassled and/or random street attacks. Covid was really bad with people coming there to attack Chinese people. That never would have happened back then because these guys we're making sure it didn't. The city is more interested in writing parking tickets now to collect more taxes since they need the money so badly. Now the State is gonna tax people even more and charge $15 for a car to go downtown south of 60th street. All the city has done is drive business away from itself. Mei Lai is the only business now with a line out the door. Back then it was dozens of them. I'm not condoning Gangs but the change has not been for the better. It's far worse. Thanks to all of you for keeping the streets safe during those years.
I was born in '67, lived a few blocks away from Chinatown. If my dad hadn't taken me back to HK in the 70s, I would have definitely joined one of the gangs. Why? Coz I had all the right ingredients: ABC, didn't feel belong in a white neighborhood, etc. Well, I guess I'll never know what would've happened if I had stayed in NYC.
Glad you made it out. Many parents didn’t have the means to move out of Chinatown. During that time it was every parent’s nightmare for their kids to get caught up with the gangs.
I remember walking up Bayard from Mott to Elizabeth during one Chinese New Year, prob early 90's. There were some GS across the street from the 69 restaurant and they were arguing with some others (other GS?). When I get to Mei Lai Wah and turn around, i see all these ppl running away cuz a fight broke out. But it was shut down within 30 sec as cops were all over the place during CNY. Was Kenny there? Another internal fight?
You’re absolutely correct! I was about 4 years old at the time. I remember a girl my age name Gigi who struck me in the mouth accidentally with the ball because I was standing behind her waiting to play.
I'm a bit younger than these guys but I remember as a kid in the late 80's taking the train from Brooklyn to Chinatown to buy fireworks from them. It's been years since I've been back but going to Chinatown back then was always a good and sometimes scary time.
I’m surprised he didn’t mention that the Chinatown Arcade used to be located on the apposite side of the street. I grew up near Chinatown and I use to hang out at the old Chinatown Arcade location as a kid.
I cant believe i walked these streets , in general. But now that I heard the stories and recognize the streets, it's a little surreal to me cuz I would have no idea that all of this stuff happened if i didnt watch this.
Watched a couple of the videos and interviews on this channel. Love the idea and hope to see more content. I feel that if chinamac’s father wasn’t who he is in the gang they he wouldn’t get easy pass with the stupid things he did when he was young in the gang.
Good to see NY chinatown from another country. Our Chinatown in Sydney Australia is small compared to NY's Chinatown. Also question about the Asian hate attacks in NY, what you guys reckon if these gangs still exist in NY, Y'all think there would be WAR between the Asians and the blacks?
I was going to make the exact same comment. I lived in Oakland Chinatown in 2020 and the black on Asian elderly crime was getting out of control, it was infuriating. Few got murdered but of course there was little media coverage.
Hi Mike as a cop do you do know a fellow cop called Ray? I met him years ago he was an undercover and good friend of mine. I haven’t spoken to him in a while maybe he has some good stories to share.
@@agentd0ubleO1 Lol there's some big time bosses that are locked up and running shit in jail and shit out of jail...Money talks. Dirty correctional officers who gets paid off will put in work for them....
I remember walking by Mei Lai Wah as a kid and seeing a whole bunch of gangsters standing outside. 1 of them was probably Kenny. This was when Mei Lai Wah was run by angry old men in light blue shirt jackets.
I always love watching the way you guys discuss all the history, and the great details. I hope one day some of you can get together and put in the works of making a video game that depicts the authentic experience of being a gang member of those times. Where you would have random sequences like turf wars, and other disputes happen at different computer generated times. so that the player is kept surprised and not be able to predict the games direction. And make the social part also a big deal, where the player has to be charming, and good at pool, to socialize as well as be skilled and some times ruthless enough to climb the leadership ladder. would be great especially if it can be in a virtual reality device, and have the real street recreated like gta v
I feel their pain……my neighborhood is gone and dead thanks to everyone and their momma wanting to move to Atlanta. I wish I could go back because tbh ATL sucks now
China Mack is from my generation, he knows about the kid that was killed on east broadway which sparked a crazy rage between either the ghost shadows or flying dragons and the people who killed the dude. Idk his name but it was a catchy name. China Mac would know instantly if asked. Happened before he went did a bid
Congratz CGS team, I remember watching from the very beginning. proud of you boys and will be watching til we hit a million 🔥🔥
"I said fuck that, I just grabbed my gun and walked down here myself."
Bighead, a living legend!
Big Head is definitely my favorite interview on this channel.
Thank you for telling these stories of a history that does need to be told. Not just a cautionary tale of what not to do(Kenny "stay in school") but history of a proud people that looked out for their own when no one else would.
Carrothead gives off so many positive vibes. Would love to see him more on the channel!
NYC Chinatown gangs needs their own movie. I'd definitely watch it.
I knew a guy in London in the late 90s , he called himself Tango , he was a triad , people used to say he was Big Heads younger brother . I looked after his sisters kids for a while above the shop . Not seen Tango in years , I’ll never forget him . He used to take me to the Hippodrome on Tuesday nights , I was so in love with him , but he had a thing for my friend . First love for sure . I hope he’s safe and well.
Great content! I saw your insider interview and came right over.
I always was kinda close by to what was going on in Chinatown because my mom worked at Gouverneur hospital for years. When we were younger, my brother and I were members of the Pitt st boys club so we would hang around a lot with kids from LES and near Chinatown. Takes me back hearing all these locations.
Congrats on the 25K guys!!!
This is probably the best episode! Love it! Nice work fellas 💪🧧🐲
These stories would’ve been lost forever if it weren’t for Mike Moy. Thank you for covering a topic that’s rarely talked about
Appreciate the upload. Can't wait to watch the whole hour footage!
It’s a shame arcades are not really around like they used to be. As a child of the 80’s the arcade was always a treat to hang out at.
Playstation and computers killed the arcade parlours
Arcades was the hangout spot for sure. Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat all day.
@@thaistompbro we used to have SF2 tournaments at my local shop.
Your podcast is very informative. I was in USP Coleman 1 with the big brother David Thai, Tran was also there with us. My cellmate for many years is Khamar. Who went down from Philly to San Fran. And fell on the PKI jewelry store robbery. For many years I would sit and listen to their stories so I love to hear what you talk about because I've heard these stories firsthand from other men who are there. Keep up the great work
I love these stories. I can't imagine life back then, but now hearing it, it's just amazing. I wish a movie can be made from these stories.
Better than what it's now
No movie. Hollywood is too busy making prequels and sequels about the Italian mob.
@@Ustuped3211 Even the Italian stuff is not getting veto’ed anymore. It’s all superheroes, blockbusters, love stories now, and some great niche ones here and there that could only be made with big names.
really like how you tied kenny telling of siu bo's story with chinamac's perspective
This channel should be way bigger than it is
I appreciate everyone's stories and giving us a visual tour of where everything went down 💯
Saw the interview with insider, learned at the end that you had your own channel. Subbed, will binge watch and just commenting here to help with the algorithm.
i have been follow your podcast for a while and listened to all the stories about why, when and how every things goes down and with this episode you taking us to where it really took place it definitely painted a more completed picture of your history. much Mahalo.
Thanks for the tour of the old gang hangouts and all of the stories. Looking forward to hearing more from all of the guys.
We’re working on a tour of Canal Street covering the BTK. Stay tuned.
@@chinatowngangstories when are you guys planning on doing another livestream?
Hopefully soon. It’ll be posted on our community page.
Hopefully soon. We’re planning on it
That was fun! Thank you, guys!
This is too gangster. Nice seeing the whole crew together.
Great stuff. Can Big Head talk about his two years in san Francisco? For people who grew up in the bay area, thats interesting to know.
You guys are those uncles that I wished I had 😂
This episode is so fascinating! Thank you for sharing these stories and the good old days with us. It is truly so nice to see the decades-long close friendships amongst all of you💙
Guys unfortunately none of the old neighborhoods are the same in the city. We grew up in the golden era of NYC. It’s hard to even recognize anymore. I loved the old Manhattan. Every neighborhood had its own flavor.
Totally agreed with you. NYC is no longer what it used to be. It had character with the old buildings. It no longer have that homey feel.
White people from Idaho moved in and now call themselves new Yorkers. Meanwhile we Asians are the real new Yorkers. And Hollywood never shows it. It's like we don't exist.
Funny lots of us in Sydney used to hang out at gaming places and karaoke bars in China Town .I guess same ,same just in Australia
You might be mis remembering it given how garbage a lot of places were
love the channel! my grandparents used to live on bayard across from the ice cream factory so it's interesting to hear these stories.
This is insane - I came from the Insider interview. I go to that arcade all the time, surprised I didn't show up in the video 🤣
Happy Father's day Fellas! Great show great series great stories!!
Love the video, very interesting watch, though the audio sounds a bit rough at parts
Kenny showing us his hiding spots for his burner is so awesome. 😂 People who aren’t from NYC don’t understand what it used to be like. Chinatown was hectic. Little Italy is right around the corner.
Were you from Chinatown? Are you Chinese?
@@Asian_Kid nope
@@Asian_Kid used to buy fireworks in Chinatown back in the 90’s though.
@@Asian_Kid my roommate in College was Chinese gang affiliated from Flushing. He always had great stories!
Did the Chinese/Asian gangs tag on walls at all? Have you ever seen a tag from them?
Insider brought me here to binge the Triad Life
Every spot you did a interview on i walked on everyday as a kid i went to P.s.1 and Is.131 it looks very different now i havnt been to new york for almost 15 years.. love the video and it definitely brings back memorys. Keep up the good work
Congrats on 25K Mike!
預祝各位大哥 父親節快樂🎉 端午節快樂🎉❤
大頭哥！如果你個頻道有埋中文字幕就perfect 👍👍👍 ! 好鍾意聽你地D歷史！
my grandpa used to go to on tin! i went in there a couple of times as a kid and stacked the mahjong pieces like jenga
Congrats. Love the Darkside of NYC as I was kind of ignorant on this when I was young.
Get some DJI or Rode wireless mics so they dont have to mess around with it and they can walk freely a couple hundred feet if they want and still be clear. Love your work and channel.
Good to see a Malaysian restaurant. As a Malaysian, kinda happy for it.
HAHAHA kenny in arcade hes so cool to hang out with even if he's 20+ years older
There's something so cool how these guys can take pride in (and even revere) their ethnic heritage while still being 100% American, 100% New Yorkers.
So cool, thanks so much for this content!
Looking back 30 yrs at the streets now must be strange you all still got your backs up watching everything I passed my childhood home after 35 yrs n everything had changed in street n my house mad but you guys hopefully get through to some younger kids n stop them joining gangs ❤❤
man. The good ol days sounded great
We had arcades too in SF Chinatown, too bad our's closed down awhile back. One of my best friend's wife's dad was Hotdog Louie, one of the founding fathers of Wah Ching. I met him a few times before his passing. Love the history stories from you guys, keep up the good work!.
hot dog is too young to be a founding father of the WC's. the WC formed around 1965
Broadway arcade/billards was the spot
@@lwongl3147 maybe a branch founder but yeah wah ching was back in the 60s
Chinatown fair arcade. One of my go to places all through the 90s
I will one day go to Canal Street and look around thinking this Chinatown used to be surround by multiple Cantonese Gangs from this channel…
Great job. Very interesting. Now I check out same places you show when I go to the China Town. I am from Brighton Beach, and it also changes from the 90's, just like China Town.
Can’t wait for the book!
That long handshake at the end 😂
First time on this channel. It's funny how thick of a new yorker accent Kenny's got lol
he grew up as a kid in new york inside and outside of chinatown.....while the other guys came here in their teens and only stayed in Chinatownand chinese communitites so they kept a chinese accent. kind of like my dad witha boston accent but my mom who lived here since she was 14 can barely speak fluent english kuz she only stayed around other vietnamese communities, lol
I remember going to the arcade to play Street Fighter 2 when it came out after kung fu school at Tiger Claw in the early 90s.I know it’s a dangerous place but I was never picked on, not sure if I’m lucky or should be thankful , but it brings me back to memory lane
Best episode yet
My man said you think "I'm a herb" LOL! I haven't heard that used in YEARS! That's straight NYC slang for real...
great channel so much history!
Glad you enjoy it!
I've been going to Mei Lai Bakery since the mid 80's. They still have the best Roast pork buns anywhere and cheap. We would go to Division street for Dim Sum, then stop in the arcade with the Live Chicken Tic Tac toe. In all the years and times I've gone I never had a clue that was the association next door. Never had a problem, ever. The streets were actually safer back then. We stayed out of all the gangs business, they keep the streets safe and no one ever bothered us even at 3am. The restaurants were jammed late at night. Everyone knew not to get into any issues in those neighborhoods. Very safe.
Mind your business, don't do anything to attract attention to yourself, be respectful, spend your money and have a great time. As non-chinese we knew what not to do in both neighborhoods.
Now, it's almost like a NJ shopping mall. He's right that in 10-20 years there will be no more Chinese in Chinatown just like Little Italy. It's not as safe. I've seen the stores and restaurants workers get hassled and/or random street attacks. Covid was really bad with people coming there to attack Chinese people. That never would have happened back then because these guys we're making sure it didn't. The city is more interested in writing parking tickets now to collect more taxes since they need the money so badly. Now the State is gonna tax people even more and charge $15 for a car to go downtown south of 60th street.
All the city has done is drive business away from itself. Mei Lai is the only business now with a line out the door. Back then it was dozens of them. I'm not condoning Gangs but the change has not been for the better. It's far worse. Thanks to all of you for keeping the streets safe during those years.
Thanks!
Thank you for appreciating our work!👍
多谢@@chinatowngangstories
I was born in '67, lived a few blocks away from Chinatown. If my dad hadn't taken me back to HK in the 70s, I would have definitely joined one of the gangs. Why? Coz I had all the right ingredients: ABC, didn't feel belong in a white neighborhood, etc. Well, I guess I'll never know what would've happened if I had stayed in NYC.
Glad you made it out. Many parents didn’t have the means to move out of Chinatown. During that time it was every parent’s nightmare for their kids to get caught up with the gangs.
Wanna know when u guys doing video again would love to meet u Guys one day , most ur stories r child hood memories to me
We may release a new interview by next week. We’re also planning on another LIVE.
What a Amazing privilege to be able to get an inside look into this clandestine world ...One of the good aspects of tech I suppose..Respect and thanks
I remember walking up Bayard from Mott to Elizabeth during one Chinese New Year, prob early 90's. There were some GS across the street from the 69 restaurant and they were arguing with some others (other GS?). When I get to Mei Lai Wah and turn around, i see all these ppl running away cuz a fight broke out. But it was shut down within 30 sec as cops were all over the place during CNY. Was Kenny there? Another internal fight?
Probably 95% chance Kenny was there unless he was in prison.
This one might be my favorite ep so far.
no the skiball and dragon head was across the street, in it's original location. The dancing chicken was at that location too!
You’re absolutely correct! I was about 4 years old at the time. I remember a girl my age name Gigi who struck me in the mouth accidentally with the ball because I was standing behind her waiting to play.
I'm a bit younger than these guys but I remember as a kid in the late 80's taking the train from Brooklyn to Chinatown to buy fireworks from them. It's been years since I've been back but going to Chinatown back then was always a good and sometimes scary time.
There seems to be a 美麗華 in every Chinatown. Shoot, there is a Miramar in Tsim Sha Tsui on Nathan road in Hong Kong!
I’m surprised he didn’t mention that the Chinatown Arcade used to be located on the apposite side of the street. I grew up near Chinatown and I use to hang out at the old Chinatown Arcade location as a kid.
I cant believe i walked these streets , in general. But now that I heard the stories and recognize the streets, it's a little surreal to me cuz I would have no idea that all of this stuff happened if i didnt watch this.
When you guys gonna drop some stories about Gold Star 8 Ave old days. Thank you for all the story, bring back childhood memories.
Scarface was the Dai Lo.
Excellent, I went to school in the 70's, junior high school,.and Seward park h.s. I has some friends that where In the ghost shadow.
Watched a couple of the videos and interviews on this channel. Love the idea and hope to see more content. I feel that if chinamac’s father wasn’t who he is in the gang they he wouldn’t get easy pass with the stupid things he did when he was young in the gang.
Hyper Pat with the cameo at 30:51 ironic Kenny didn't recognize him
Good to see NY chinatown from another country. Our Chinatown in Sydney Australia is small compared to NY's Chinatown. Also question about the Asian hate attacks in NY, what you guys reckon if these gangs still exist in NY, Y'all think there would be WAR between the Asians and the blacks?
If gand still around,asian hate crime will never happen
I was going to make the exact same comment. I lived in Oakland Chinatown in 2020 and the black on Asian elderly crime was getting out of control, it was infuriating. Few got murdered but of course there was little media coverage.
It’s very interesting the stories about Big Head and Vietnamese flying dragons saved the 2 TO soldiers.
❤❤ keep the stories coming. ❤❤. Oral History is history.
Hi Mike as a cop do you do know a fellow cop called Ray? I met him years ago he was an undercover and good friend of mine. I haven’t spoken to him in a while maybe he has some good stories to share.
I don’t recall ever meeting him during my time on the job.
In other words I ain’t snitchin 😂
First 🔥 🔥
appreciate all the extra info like the maps and such.
question- if kenny and carrot head were childhood friends, why didn't they join the same one?
Carrot head was recruited by Mike before he met Kenny.
@@chinatowngangstories but mike was a officer and carrot head a gangster …
@@alladatgas471 Mike was an OG that turned his life around and became a cop later on
@@888connection5 china mac said he doesn’t respect his father who turned informant or “ rats “ but he respects mike who turned into a cop …
Too 🔥
Chinatown fair has changed a lot. Havent been inside for a long time.
Can someone start a Go Fund Me for Bighead, so that he can buy another black leather jacket?
Love it I can remember too especially the chicken 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔
That wouldn’t go well in this day and age.
i still drop by CTF every few months to play DDR.
YES PLEASE
yall should do more videos walking around chinatown
these dudes have one of the more unique accents out there lol, like 80 percent nyc with a chinese tinge to it
At least I like to see the Chinatown New York peaceful today all the Chinese got to come together
Shrimp boy does look weird he probably a crystal user. I remember seeing him as a kid in the news hearing of him in North Cali he appears like a user.
Shrimp boy was and probably still running shit in SF behind bars. Bruh was a dragon head.
@@censordat is he still active like jail doesnt stop that guy
@@agentd0ubleO1 Lol there's some big time bosses that are locked up and running shit in jail and shit out of jail...Money talks. Dirty correctional officers who gets paid off will put in work for them....
I remember walking by Mei Lai Wah as a kid and seeing a whole bunch of gangsters standing outside. 1 of them was probably Kenny. This was when Mei Lai Wah was run by angry old men in light blue shirt jackets.
Kenny still says herb😆
90's term
Carrothead looks very familiar. Did he own any shop in Chinatown.
Squirrel made the channel! Hahaha
Watching from the Uk .
BBC 4th generation - via Canton
I always love watching the way you guys discuss all the history, and the great details. I hope one day some of you can get together and put in the works of making a video game that depicts the authentic experience of being a gang member of those times. Where you would have random sequences like turf wars, and other disputes happen at different computer generated times. so that the player is kept surprised and not be able to predict the games direction. And make the social part also a big deal, where the player has to be charming, and good at pool, to socialize as well as be skilled and some times ruthless enough to climb the leadership ladder. would be great especially if it can be in a virtual reality device, and have the real street recreated like gta v
I feel their pain……my neighborhood is gone and dead thanks to everyone and their momma wanting to move to Atlanta. I wish I could go back because tbh ATL sucks now
Gangsters today is not making money and nobody wants to be gangster anymore.
China Mac is here too 😂😂😂
Nice nice, I was in the arcade last year
China Mack is from my generation, he knows about the kid that was killed on east broadway which sparked a crazy rage between either the ghost shadows or flying dragons and the people who killed the dude. Idk his name but it was a catchy name. China Mac would know instantly if asked. Happened before he went did a bid
How do you switch from one gang to another?