Grove Street Families: Difference between revisions

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The formation date of the Grove Street Families is unknown. However, it is said that they are one of the oldest gangs in Los Santos. Since the Ballas formed in the 1970's, this puts the formation of the Grove Street Families to the 1960's or earlier. It is very likely that they were formed in [[Grove Street]], [[Ganton]] due to their name. The Grove Street Families have a history of a traditional, intense, and bloody rivalry with the [[Ballas]]. Specifically when the gang war started is unknown, but the rivalry between the two gangs was in full swing as early as 1987.  
The formation date of the Grove Street Families is unknown. However, it is said that they are one of the oldest gangs in Los Santos. Since the Ballas formed in the 1970's, this puts the formation of the Grove Street Families to the 1960's or earlier. It is very likely that they were formed in [[Grove Street]], [[Ganton]] due to their name. The Grove Street Families have a history of a traditional, intense, and bloody rivalry with the [[Ballas]]. Specifically when the gang war started is unknown, but the rivalry between the two gangs was in full swing as early as 1987.  


The 1987-1992 period saw the Families begin to lose ground to the Ballas who became heavily involved in the drugs trade. Many OG's and high-ranking members were killed at this time - including [[Big Devil]], [[Little Devil]], and [[Tony]] as well the younger brother of Sweet and CJ - [[Brian Johnson]]. Sweet, remained adamant in his objection to the Families becoming involved in the trade. [[Big Smoke]], a high ranking member, began to see the fall of the gang and the potential for power, influence and money the trade could bring. He secretly formed a business deal between the Ballas, [[Los Santos Vagos]] and the corrupt [[C.R.A.S.H.|Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums]] department of the [[LSPD in GTA III Era|LSPD]] for drugs and crack-cocaine, while remaining involved in the Families to pass on information about their activities. Just before CJ's return in 1992, Big Smoke was also able to influence [[Ryder]] about the money and power that they could make from drugs.
The 1987-1992 period saw the Families begin to lose ground to the Ballas who became heavily involved in the drugs trade. Many OG's and high-ranking members were killed at this time - including [[Big Devil]], [[Little Devil]], and [[Tony]] as well the younger brother of Sweet and CJ - [[Brian Johnson]]. Sweet, remained adamant in his objection to the Families becoming involved in the trade. [[Big Smoke]], a high ranking member, began to see the fall of the gang and the potential for power, influence and money the trade could bring. He secretly formed a business deal between the Ballas, [[Los Santos Vagos]] and the corrupt [[C.R.A.S.H.|Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums]] department of the [[LSPD in GTA III Era|LSPD]] for drugs and crack-cocaine, while remaining involved in the Families to pass on information about their activities. Just before CJ's return in 1992, Big Smoke was also able to influence [[Ryder]] about the money and power that they could make from drugs. OG and high-ranking member [[B-Dup]] also becomes involved in the drugs trade and turns away from the GSF and gang-banging - while high-ranking OG [[Big Bear]] becomes a crack addict and house slave of B-Dup.


The Grove Street Families were originally one large gang during the late 1980's. However, during the early 1990's, they split off into different "family" sets. This included the "Seville Boulevard Families", the "Temple Drive Families" and the "Grove Street Families". The primary reason for the split was due to the weakening of the gang by the Ballas and Vagos - causing the Grove Street Families to become unstable, and also because of differences in relation to the drugs trade as [[Sweet]] and the original Grove Street Families set in Ganton were against drug dealing.
The Grove Street Families were originally one large gang during the late 1980's. However, during the early 1990's, they split off into different "family" sets. This included the "Seville Boulevard Families", the "Temple Drive Families" and the "Grove Street Families". The primary reason for the split was due to the weakening of the gang by the Ballas and Vagos - causing the Grove Street Families to become unstable, and also because of differences in relation to the drugs trade as [[Sweet]] and the original Grove Street Families set in Ganton were against drug dealing.

Revision as of 22:31, 7 April 2013

GANG
Grove Street Families
The primary members and "OG's" or "shot-callers" of the Grove Street Families from left to right: Ryder, Big Smoke, Carl Johnson and Sweet.
Games: GTA San Andreas
Locations: Ganton
Playa del Seville
Santa Maria Beach
Temple
Vinewood Cemetery
Glen Park (After mission Doberman, reclaimed again after Beat Down on B-Dup)
Idlewood (After mission Grove 4 Life)
Leaders: Sweet
Carl Johnson
Type: Street gang
Enemies: Ballas
Los Santos Vagos
Russian Mafia
San Fierro Rifa
Varrios Los Aztecas
Affiliations: Varrios Los Aztecas (briefly)
C.R.A.S.H.
Colors: Green
Vehicles: Greenwood
Savanna
Voodoo
Weapons: Pistol
Tec-9
MP5 (100% tags)
Desert Eagle (100% tags)
Knife (100% tags)
Micro Uzi (missions only)
Businesses: Arms dealing
Fronts: Grove Street
Johnson House
Sweet's House
Ryder's House
Emmet's
Members: Sweet
Carl Johnson
Big Smoke (deceased)
Ryder(deceased)
B Dup (former)
Big Bear
Big Devil (deceased)
Little Devil (deceased)
Tony (deceased)
Three Deep

The Grove Street Families, also known as The Families, Groves or GSF for short, are a street gang that appears in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It is the native gang of the protagonist of the game, who eventually becomes a high-ranking co-leader. The gang is led by Sweet and Carl Johnson, and are heavily involved in the criminal underworld of Los Santos and San Andreas.

History

The formation date of the Grove Street Families is unknown. However, it is said that they are one of the oldest gangs in Los Santos. Since the Ballas formed in the 1970's, this puts the formation of the Grove Street Families to the 1960's or earlier. It is very likely that they were formed in Grove Street, Ganton due to their name. The Grove Street Families have a history of a traditional, intense, and bloody rivalry with the Ballas. Specifically when the gang war started is unknown, but the rivalry between the two gangs was in full swing as early as 1987.

The 1987-1992 period saw the Families begin to lose ground to the Ballas who became heavily involved in the drugs trade. Many OG's and high-ranking members were killed at this time - including Big Devil, Little Devil, and Tony as well the younger brother of Sweet and CJ - Brian Johnson. Sweet, remained adamant in his objection to the Families becoming involved in the trade. Big Smoke, a high ranking member, began to see the fall of the gang and the potential for power, influence and money the trade could bring. He secretly formed a business deal between the Ballas, Los Santos Vagos and the corrupt Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums department of the LSPD for drugs and crack-cocaine, while remaining involved in the Families to pass on information about their activities. Just before CJ's return in 1992, Big Smoke was also able to influence Ryder about the money and power that they could make from drugs. OG and high-ranking member B-Dup also becomes involved in the drugs trade and turns away from the GSF and gang-banging - while high-ranking OG Big Bear becomes a crack addict and house slave of B-Dup.

The Grove Street Families were originally one large gang during the late 1980's. However, during the early 1990's, they split off into different "family" sets. This included the "Seville Boulevard Families", the "Temple Drive Families" and the "Grove Street Families". The primary reason for the split was due to the weakening of the gang by the Ballas and Vagos - causing the Grove Street Families to become unstable, and also because of differences in relation to the drugs trade as Sweet and the original Grove Street Families set in Ganton were against drug dealing.

The Grove Street Families also maintain an ongoing rivalry with the Los Santos Vagos and the Varrios Los Aztecas. The reasons or date for their feud with the Mexican gangs is unknown. It is likely due to territorial reasons due to the close proximity of East Beach (Vagos territory) and Ganton (GSF territory) and also because, like the Ballas, the Vagos are a significant factor for the spread of crack-cocaine - which the GSF are against.

Events of GTA San Andreas

The Families continued to lose influence and later unity when the gangs factions began to fight against each other. The gang also began to lose influential members such as Big Devil, Little Devil and Tony, all of whom by 1992 were deceased. B Dup and Big Bear also began to move into the drugs trade, with Bear becoming heavily addicted and the man servant of Dup. The gang also split into two subsets; Seville Boulevard Families and Temple Drive Families. The Ballas, becoming more powerful and influential, decide to try and kill Sweet in a drive-by shooting but succeed in killing his mother.

The death of Beverly Johnson causes Sweet to phone his brother Carl in Liberty City. Carl returns for the funeral. Carl, initially intending to return to Liberty City, decides to stay and help the gang overcome their arch rivals. The gang's fortunes, with Carl performing various jobs, manages to tackle the Ballas threat and even takes control of the Glen Park neighborhood. The three sub-groups also attempt to reconcile their differences, although this was interrupted by the police.

The Ballas, however, continue their assault by attempting to take control of Ganton and later work with Frank Tenpenny, the head of C.R.A.S.H., to set up Sweet in a shoot out under the Mulholland Intersection. Sweet is shot during the shoot out while Carl attempts to fend the Ballas off but both are arrested by the police. Sweet is taken to prison but Carl is taken to a small town where he is manipulated into doing jobs for C.R.A.S.H.

During this time the Families had become subservient to the Ballas and Los Santos Vagos. Families members also began to run drugs between a drugs factory in Doherty, San Fierro back to Los Santos. Carl, after becoming a leading criminal figure in both San Fierro and Las Venturas, returns to Los Santos to take control of Madd Dogg's mansion. While at the mansion he is contacted by undercover government agent Mike Toreno, for whom he had previously worked, and steals a military jet and destroys five spy boats. Carl manages to perform the task and is rewarded by Toreno with the release of Sweet.

Carl attempts to convince Sweet to join him away from Los Santos but returns to take control of Ganton when an adamant Sweet informed him he would not be leaving. The Families, now being led by both Sweet and Carl, begin to exert their influence on the city again, including taking control of Glen Park and Idlewood. The gang, however, finally re-assert their dominance in the city when Carl and Sweet killed Smoke and caused Tenpenny's death.

Members and Associates

  • Sean "Sweet" Johnson: Leader and OG of the Grove Street Families.
  • Carl "CJ" Johnson: Second-in-command and OG of the Grove Street Families. Brother of Grove Street leader Sweet.
  • Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris (deceased): High-ranking OG/lieutenant . Childhood friend of CJ, Ryder and Sweet. Defects against the GSF and focused on drug dealing. Killed by CJ.
  • Lance "Ryder" Wilson (deceased): High-ranking OG/lieutenant. Childhood friend of CJ, Big Smoke and Sweet. Joins Big Smoke's defection from gang-banging into drug dealing. Killed by CJ.
  • Brian Johnson: Hang-around/new member before death. Younger brother of CJ and Sweet.
  • Barry "Big Bear" Thorne: OG and well-respected member due to physical strength. Turned crack addict during early game which turns him into a weak and hopeless addict. Eventually beats crack addiction and re-joins the GSF towards the end-game.
  • Mark "B-Dup" Wayne (formerly): OG and well respected member. Defects from gang-banging and GSF and focuses on drug dealing.
  • "Big Devil" (deceased): OG/high-ranking member. Was killed.
  • "Little Devil" (deceased): OG/High-ranking member. Was killed.
  • Tony (deceased): OG/High-ranking member. Was killed.
  • Denise Robinson: Fanatic and associate. Girlfriend of CJ.
  • Emmet: Weapon supplier and sssociates primarily with the Seville Boulevard Family set.
  • Jeffrey "OG Loc" Cross: Associate, wannabe-member and friend of many OG's including leaders Sweet and CJ. Jeffrey grew up on Grove Street but lacked the physical capability or mentality to join the Families.
  • LB: Supplier/Associate and friend of Ryder (although not physically seen, he was mentioned multiple times by Ryder).
  • Three Deep: Possible associate or member (although not physically seen, he was mentioned once by Big Smoke).

Trivia

  • The original beta name for the gang was Orange Grove Families. Beta graffiti around South Central Los Santos referring to the "Orange Grove Families" and the "OGF" still exist. Likewise, CJ can get a tattoo on his upper back in Los Santos that references the "Orange Grove Families". CJ will also sometimes shout out phrases related to the "Orange Grove Families" and the "OGF" during a fight.
  • In the beta version of the game, the Grove Street Families looked different
  • An additional two Grove Street Family members/skins can be seen during the mission cutscenes of House Party and Los Sepulcros. It is unknown why they do not appear on the streets, though mods for the PC version exist to make them appear.
  • The player can choose to take control of all Ballas and Los Santos Vagos turf for the Grove Street Families, although this is not needed for completing the game.
  • The favorite radio station of Grove Street Families members is Radio Los Santos.
  • The rivalry between the Grove Street Families and the Ballas is loosely based off of the rivalry between the Bloods and the Crips in Los Angeles. Violence between the two gangs hit a peak during the early 1990's - largely due to the crack cocaine epidemic. A situation mirrored in early 1990's Los Santos.
  • Many members are seen wearing basketball jerseys, green bandanas, green hats, sweatshirts or plaid button-up shirts.
  • Possibly a coincidence, but in GTA IV groups of men wearing outfits similar to the Grove Street Families can be seen in some locations around Liberty City.

Gallery

Members/Associates

Gang tags

Non-interactive graffiti

References