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High Schoolers Herbie Goo-Goo & Smoke (top)

Diamond D - calling for back-up (bottom)

Pictures provided by Shantell from Hughes Ave.

Anthony aka Black says:

Does anybody out there remember the time we had a nice friendly game of 'gator musical chairs' at Shane's (baby Duane) b-day party and Michi's competitive juices took over? I don't remember who the lady was, but Michi snatched the chair from under her as soon as she was about to sit down to win it and that lady BUSTED HER ANUS! And she wasn't no spring chicken either, that was an older lady. When it came to winning & losing, Michi wasn't trying to lose at nothing. Then Michi sat in the chair like,"No one said you can't do that, I win". Never mind the fact that everyone was looking around like, "Did that just happen?" Kids were screaming & crying. OK, I'm exaggerating, but it happened. Those who were there remember, those who weren't missed another classic 'you had to be there' moment! Love you, sis.

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BALLIN'!!!!!!!!

Michelle Valencia-Dominick aka Michi aka Magic

So nice, we had to put her pic up twice.

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Welcome to the 90's!

Housequake, Diamond D, Silk, Ney-Ney, and Des!

Milk does the body good!

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SHAGGY!

What more can I say.

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Big earings....CHECK. 80's pose....CHECK. Yellow 54-11's and matching top....CHECK.

Classic Susan from 21 Jump....

Oh, wait...Kim's got even bigger earings in the back!

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One of the first ski trips....

Hardcore, Diamond D, The Grand PooBah, Mr.Slate, Sugarbear, House,

Brooklyn Tony, and Baby George

Happy Thanksgiving from Corey B

I am very thankful for the relationships that have been bonded through the Gator family. Many of you have tried to express our relationship with your other friends, family members, etc....and they just don't get it! That's why this blog is so important. We cannot let these bonds go to waste. We may not like everyone all the time, but I know that if anything happened to any of us, we'd all be there for one another, regardless of locations, time, and distance. I have had such a wonderful childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood as a result of these relationships. We have all laughed, danced, played ball, ate, fought, danced some more, annoyed, snapped-on, made fun of, loved, and cried with one another for over 20 years! Don't let our legacy, no matter how big or small, be forgotten. Tell your kids about our relationships, the funny stories, our experiences. Tell them how they are supposed to be a friend, and a brother or a sister. Tell them that its ok to trust. It's ok to ask your man's moms whats for dinner. Tell them about our nicknames, and how we got them. Tell them about the boat rides, ski trips, walk-a-thons, new years eve, the Savoy, Parkside Plaza, 181st. & Belmont ave., 2121, Dennis Lane, Crabfest, Great adventure, the late nights on the corner or on the stoop. The safe neighborhood, the community Sergio's and Cadillac Craigs cookouts. Speaking of Cadillac, his birthday is very close, so when you see him, give him a Big Hug and a happy birthday shout out...then give him one for me too! I remember when we couldn't stand each other! I didn't want to be near him, and if I was, I snapped on him alllll day! We showed absolutely no respect to one another. Then somehow, along our journey, we realized we were brothers, Gator brothers, with a common bond -181st. and Belmont ave - we were not going anywhere! We are as close as brothers to this day because of that bond. Cadillac, I'm sorry that I couldn't make your wedding. And I miss your moms too! she always showed me love when I came back to the block. She always knew where you were and what time I could expect to see you. She made sure that you knew I was in town. She was a huge influence! And so was Ms. Joanne! So somebody, anybody who's reading this, please let them know about Ms. Joanne! You know this is her time of year, and ya'll are probably going over there to go get a plate. Shoot....make me wish I was in NY. Oh, and Ms.Bowman......tell Ant to make me a plate. And if you're on the block, swing over to Ms.Bailey's crib and ask for some sweet potatoe pie...its the BEST. I'm thankful that I can eat 5 times today...but ironically, we can all eat 5 times today because of our relationships through the Gators.

The Lovely Ms. Eloise

Cadillac Craig's mother - May She Rest Peacefully - We Miss You!

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OK...OK. Who let them kids in the Club!

Remember the Boston Road Ballroom?

Corey B aka Hardcore aka Paper Thin - ( jokes)

Much love to Troy Boogie , Sharmaine, and Big Troy - also gettin' their groove on!

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Fresh, Dressed, like a million bucks.....

Diamond D & The Grand PooBah

@ The Parkside Plaza

Pic of the Freakin Day!

A young, supple Kindell from 21 Jump

(noone is safe!)

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Wow! The one and only ...

Herbert Alex Sellers! aka Herbie Goo-Goo

( Always ready to play some ball)

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Corey B aka Hardcore & Cadillac Craig
Postin' hard at Busch Gardens VA - Summer of '89
(notice the matching Nike's)

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Classic Kim from 21 Jump

Mom, Ball Player, and mean LeftHook!

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Baby George and Larry Luv aka Rico ...Suave

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Gator's own

Do Work Curt aka Sugarbear

Remember the time....

Big Ant said:

Speaking of remembering the time... who remembers the time there was a get-together at Big Nik's house on the Concourse? Everyone was having a great time and the house was packed with gators and rowdy girlz. Then a couple of us decided to leave the party and go to Skate Key and come back because we planned on partying all night at Big Nik's. But when we got back there were only 3 or 4 people left and they all were sitting around with mad faces.
Question: What happened while we were gone?
Answer: A certain gator (who shall remain nameless to protect his family) got into an argument with Shay regarding her status or quality time or something to that effect and started a crazy scene and somebody got slapped, then House started flippin'. Long story short - PARTY OVER!!!

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The Rowdy Girlz in Full Effect!

**remember, noone is untouchable

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Classic Jeff Afro aka Jeff Booty
Gator VA trip 1989

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Original 21 Jump members at Dinner:
Susan, Quana, Kendall, Melinda, and Desiree
The Gator Crabfest 1995 to Baltimore
Big Shout to Do Work Curt also at the table

When I think of the Gator's cont'd...

Picture provided by Kermit:
Mr. Slate, Troy Boogie, Kermit,& The Grand PooBah


Shawn aka Kermit says...

I think of young Black Males (ok there was Shaggy) on the cusp of adulthood. Some of us were making our awkward transitions from "boys to men" in their last years of high school, and some of us were making our first tentative steps in the land of "grown up", with our first "real" jobs and apartments. I think of Mike "Grip" (R.I.P.) and remember swearing to myself after each handshake "Why does this m***f*** have squeeze my hand so damn hard". I think about the first walkathon (when it went from CP down to Battery Park and back) and Mike "Grip" carrying a boombox, that made Radio Rahiem's seem small, the entire way. I think of house parties and the summer of 1986 when Fred and Duane (R.I.P.) held a house party at their mom's and because Fred was known as a jokester, when he tried to shut the party down at 5am, nobody believed he was serious. I think of bus rides and PATH trains to great adventures. I think of some people mistaking "fun loving" for punk and learning of their error the hard way. When I think of GATOR I think of the Original Gators: Fred, Duane, Mike, Shaggy, Little and Big Troy, Smoke, Kelvin, House, Herb, Rashea, Ant, Corey, Curt, Derrick, KT, Brian, Garnett, Damon, George and of course myself Kermit (forgive me if I left any OGs out). When I think of GATOR, I think of Steve Wonder's song "I Wish" and say"
"I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go"

Peace
OG Kermit

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Gators on vacation in Florida
Big Troy, Cadillac Craig, Diamond D, Mr. Slate, & Whitebread

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Garnett at the first party at Herb's house.

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Classic Mr. Slate

Tanya aka"Thickness" from The Rowdy Girlz said...

Firstly Corey B I want to thank you for starting this blog we needed this...very therapautic
I remember in 1992 meeting The Gators through Big Nik..all of them...Duane, Fred, Curtis, House, Rashay, and thinking how cool it was to meet a bunch of guys who weren't trying to sleep with a bunch of girls..and then there were more...Ant Black, Kermit, Corey B, Kelvin, Cadillac, and then there were more..Baby George(when it was ok to call him Baby), Big Troy, Cuzo,Lil Troy..I remember meeting The girls and the Original Gatorettes "21 Jump"i remember waiting for the clock to strike 12 on New Year's so we could go to Duane's House at Fordham Hills, i remember The Circle Line, The savoy, the Woolworth Building, Giovanni's Atrium..i remember when the boat left some of the Rowdy Girls at the pier and how they cried until we got back (they actually waited)..remember the water fights at Kings Dominion. I am sure I will remember some other things that will bring me back to the Gator Blog. I do know one thing, I have been very fortunate to have forged lifetime friendships with The Gators who are now my brothers...we have laughed together, cried together, and celebrated many times together and I miss and love all my Gator Brothers...Thank You for coming into my life...

(Tanya put this in the COMMENTS section at the bottom of my blog. I felt that it was deserving of its own post. I know it made me smile, and i'm sure it will make the rest of you guys smile as well. - Tanya, send me some old pics!)
Corey B

R.I.P. Diamond D

Pic of the Year for 2005

R.I.P Mike Grip

More thoughts and memories...

Corey B also says:

since I read Anthony's post, more stuff started to come to me, first and foremost, I must say I MISS the New Year's Eve parties in Fordham Hill's!!! But if you really know you're Gator history, you know it all started at Rashea's house, wayyyyyyy back. Then it moved to Freddy's house, then to Duane's. Just thinking about them parties make me wanna USE THE BATHROOM! Do ya'll remember my first party! I had two records and a tape deck. The South Bronx, and M.C. Ultra were the two records I had....and Smoke, I know you stole them damn records that night too. Shoot!
I remember the boat rides on The Circle Line, the Savoy...going to see Ray, Goodman, and Brown! I remember Kelvin wearing them tight suits, and that long wool coat, and the briefcase. I remember club 371. I remember the late night walks to white castle. I remember the night, it was christmas night, when Duane from Dennis Lane tried to pick up Donalds BRAND NEW RADIO off of the green dumpster in front of the store, and the handle popped off......we were all staring at the ground in silence for like 10 seconds, and then somebody said, " There goes a battery! " and then we all busted out laughing!!!!! hahahahahahahahahah. I think I remember laughing the most out of everything...yep, definately the laughing!!!

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BIG Ant!

When I think of the Gator's cont'd

Damon aka "Cigar" says:

When I think of Gator, I think of all the nights we
could just sit out on the corner and break dawn,
snapping on each other so hard that you could rip your
stomach open, and we could come out the next day and
still be brothers.
I remember being a solid unified party group picking
up people along the way (like the Pide Piper) at the
walkathon, having everybody in the streets saying
"Gators in the House" while we walk through the
streets doing dances like a oversize soultrain.
That's what I think of GATOR

When I think of the Gator's cont'd

Kendall of 21 Jump says:

When I think of Gator I think of family and true friends, along with
lots of fun and good times. A group of people that can never be
replaced and will always be dear to my heart. As I think of gator I
remember when the simplest things brought me the most joy, such hot
summer nights playing stop in the middle of the street and water fights.
Sitting on the stoop of 2121 until daybreak while Big Troy cracks
jokes, making you laugh and smile so hard that your face hurts. Those
were some of the best times in my life.

When I think of the Gator's cont'd....

Anthony aka Big Ant aka Black says:

When I think of the Gator Pak… I think of My Fam! I think of troopin’ through 800, Monterey, Twin Parks, Lambert, and West Farms just to throw eggs on Halloween... I think of the talent show at P.S. 193 when House knocked out the biggest nigga in the crew we were beefing with... I think about the first walk-a-thon when Shaggy had his boom box and Big Lip Tom had his, and the whole 4 hours we walked we only played two songs – Eric B. as President and Nobody Beats the Biz… I think about the whole team troopin’ to catch the ‘2’ to go to ‘the real’ Skate Key, and once again House had to knock somebody out because House got kicked in the head by a skate after he fell… I think about all of us going down to BMCC for a “Do’in the butt” party after “School Daze” came out… I think about sitting on Belmont for hours listening to two of the greatest comedians the world never heard of – Fred & Big Troy – until tears poured out and my stomach started to cramp… I think about no less than 12 of us piling up in Damon’s LeCar and Herb’s 2-door Cutlass to go to the Whitestone movie theater to see “She’s Gotta Have It”… I think about meetings in the original Gator headquarters - Ms. Joann’s basement (shout out to Ann & her crew)… I think about when Rashea got sliced in a fight and we rode out 20 deep in 3 cars and a motorcycle to get the kid that did it. Those who were there no the rest… I think about when Troy Boogie slammed the Mexican dude he was fighting on 182nd Street twice… I think about when Craig and Dancin’ Mark fought on line during initiations… I think about when Takim fought Cowboy at the carnival on 181st, when he fought Cowboy in front of 800, oh yeah, and when he fought Cowboy at the West Farms jam (they became good friends a few years later, go figure)… I think about us going to the Fairtree and there was never more than 2 or 3 females in the club, but it was the only club that would let 15 & 16 year olds in and we would just be in the middle of the dance floor buggin’ out… I think about how the Gators could go to a party every weekend and, almost every time, the party would be weak until we got there and started doin’ our Gator thing – you know “Gators in the house, soul train, etc.”… I think about late night walks to West Farms for murder burgers… And Hunt’s Point, nah, that’s another story!

Basically, I think about the best times of my life. I thank God for my OG Gators. They say you are a product of your environment. I could’ve been surrounded by knuckleheads selling drugs, bustin’ guns, using drugs, or worse. But God blessed me with my Gator brothers. As one of the younger Gators I had brothers like Duane Francis to look up to, that took the simple concept of having the fun we were known for, and made it a profitable business. Rest In Peace, my brother. You are missed.

Most of all I think about Rashea aka Mr. Slate, Corey B, Emilio aka House, Duane aka Diamond D. aka The Steak (before the removal surgery), Troy Love aka Big Troy, Troy Boogie aka Little Troy, Fred aka The Grand Poobah, Eric aka Smoke, Herb aka Goo-Goo, Baby George, Sean-O, Sean aka Kermit, Cadillac Craig, Kelvin aka White Bread, Damon aka Cigar Lips, Brian aka G-String, Derrick, Dancin’ Mark, Pig Nose Mark, Karate Mike, Do-Work Curt, Big Lip Tom, Snoop, Quiet Storm, Takim,K.T., Garnett, Larry aka Rico Suave and rest in peace to our brother Mike Grip!

And most definitely my sisters from 21 Jump & The Gatorettes – Melinda, Kendall, Susan, Quana, Nicky, Kim, Michi, Shalonda, Des, Connie and Stacey.

The people I named, and some I forgot, are linked forever by a name that sparked a movement. But it wasn’t just the name. If we called ourselves The Snakes back in 1984, then next month there would still be a party going on in midtown Manhattan where 1,000 people will be shouting “Snakes in the house, Snakes in the house, HO!” It wasn’t the name. It was the right group of characters, the right block, and the best time to grow up – the 80’s. I wouldn’t change a damn thing!

That’s what I think when I think of THE GATORS.

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Almond Joi!!!!
Picture provided by Anthony Flynn aka Big Ant, aka Black

When I think of the Gator's

Corey B aka HARDCORE says:

When I think of the Gator's, I immediately think of BROTHERHOOD. I think about us all going thru the Gator initiations, the late nights on the corner singing and dancing with 21 Jump, and I think of the Walk-a-thon! I feel bad for the people that didn't grow up with us during that time, because they'll never know the love and appreciation that total strangers shared for one another, people we just met. But we all had one common denominator - East 181 st & Belmont ave. - in the Bronx. I can't go any further without giving a big shout out to Sergio, who owned the corner store. He let us hangout there everyday and didn't complain. He would always shut the block down on the fourth of July so we could have our annual block party. He'd let us use his store electricity to set up the DJ equipment, and then at 12 o'clock, him and Victor, Shaggy, Gary, and Angel would line up the streets intersecting at 181 St. & Belmont Ave's with tons of fireworks! They did it for the kids. They did it for the BLOCK. When I think of the Gator's, I think of FAMILY!