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Pictured
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND

Incredible pictures document the lives of gangsters and drugs dealers in some of New York’s most crime-riddled neighbourhoods

Bleak glimpse into the realities of gangsters lives shatters the glamorous image of gang life

GRITTY, tough and relentlessly violent, they are places where people die over $20.

Welcome to the rotten core of the Big Apple where only the brave visit - including legendary Brooklyn photographer Boogie.

His stunning photos - taken throughout the 2000 - lift the lid on the short lives of New York City's gangsters in the crack-infested neighbourhoods of Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Queensbridge.

Gun-toting gangsta now doing life for murder now
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Gun-toting gangsta now doing life for murder nowCredit: Boogie
This hanging rat is a warning sign from the Latin Kings to a snitch - who was later killed
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This hanging rat is a warning sign from the Latin Kings to a snitch - who was later killedCredit: Boogie
This pitbull was trained to fight by the guy’s uncle but was put down after biting his baby sister
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This pitbull was trained to fight by the guy’s uncle but was put down after biting his baby sisterCredit: Boogie
Addict pictured smoking crack cocaine in one of the candid photos
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Addict pictured smoking crack cocaine in one of the candid photosCredit: Boogie
This man used to be a drug dealer before becoming a crack addict and losing his eye in a street fight
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This man used to be a drug dealer before becoming a crack addict and losing his eye in a street fightCredit: Boogie
Gangsters pose by pointing loaded weapons at the photographer
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Gangsters pose by pointing loaded weapons at the photographerCredit: Boogie
This shotgun, nicknamed 'The Terminator', is displayed with Blood members' bandannas covering it
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This shotgun, nicknamed 'The Terminator', is displayed with Blood members' bandannas covering itCredit: Boogie
A gangster wields his chrome TEC9 which are popular among gang members because they’’re cheap and look good
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A gangster wields his chrome TEC9 which are popular among gang members because they’’re cheap and look goodCredit: Boogie
A safe house in the projects where a gang stash money, guns, and ammo, all in a bunch of fireproof cases
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A safe house in the projects where a gang stash money, guns, and ammo, all in a bunch of fireproof casesCredit: Boogie
People are pictured hanging out in the projects
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People are pictured hanging out in the projectsCredit: Boogie
Gang member lovers kiss in a moment of tenderness much missing in their surroundings
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Gang member lovers kiss in a moment of tenderness much missing in their surroundingsCredit: Boogie
A gangster points his Glock pistol which is often stolen but if bought on the black market costs $400
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A gangster points his Glock pistol which is often stolen but if bought on the black market costs $400Credit: Boogie
Guns, money, and drugs...and plenty of them
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Guns, money, and drugs...and plenty of themCredit: Boogie
There was dried blood all around this house
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There was dried blood all around this houseCredit: Boogie
Photographer Boogie said this addict would be happy and nice before she shot up, but afterwards she looked miserable
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Photographer Boogie said this addict would be happy and nice before she shot up, but afterwards she looked miserableCredit: Boogie

The photographs and many others by Boogie are published in the fascinating book, , published by PowerHouse books.

 

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