Gangsta

Gangsta #1

by K'wan, To Be Announced (Reading)

For years Lou-Loc, an efficient assassin and OG of the Crip organization, did dirt. After dancing on the razor's edge, he has become weary of the street life that has consumed him during his service to his set and begins to wonder if there's a better way to make a living. Lou-Loc and his sociopath counterpart, Gutter, leave Los Angeles for the colorful streets of New York, where Lou-Loc has dreams of becoming a writer, Gutter a kingpin.

Genres: Urban, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime

Audio CD

First published October 10, 2002

About the author

In 2002 K'wan hit the scene with his debut novel Gangsta, under Triple Crown Publications. It was the first novel released by the budding house and would eventually become the building block for what is now a multimillion dollar company. What started as a therapeutic release went on to become a part of urban-lit history and an Essence bestseller, as well as drawing rave reviews overseas.
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I became a huge K'wan fan without reading this. I (think) it might be his first book.
This was a great read. I can definitely see the growth in his other books. But he started weaving his storylines and great storytelling from the beginning.
Lou Loc and Gutter are Crips. They escaped a possible death sentence in Cali (after killing a police officer) by heading to the East Coast.
In typical K'wan fashion, there are a lot of characters tied together. Some without even knowing it.
I have a small issue with the ending. K'wan never pulls any punches and you never know if your fave will make it. BUT Lou Loc seemed too smart to fall for the trap set for him. At least too smart to go into it without a plan or caution. Also, his and Martina's relationship was done. So, even though Satin urged him to go? It just didn't seem like a realistic enough end for me. He was a seasoned killer and got taken out by going to see a woman who lied to and cheated on him?
Satins end had me feeling a way.
3.5 stars

[LaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very quick and interesting read. This is the first book that I've read by K'wan and I must say that I was truly impressed. I will definitely be reading more by this author. The book was a page turner and was very entertaining; I couldn't put it down. I was very sad at the ending of the book, but it just goes to show that living that life has a cost, and although Lou-Loc was trying to get out of the game, it was a little too late. This book gave me a glimpse of the hood life and I really enjoyed how the author weaved everyone's story together and I also really loved the lead character. I'm definitely now a fan of of K'wan and can't wait to read more from him!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently started reading K'wan and am very fond of his writing style. Was never really into the street lit but its just something about his that pulls me in and doesn't let go. Even more so with the audio books ....

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm real late to the party. This is my first read by K'Wan. I'm going back and reading or re-reading some street lit from the early days of the genre when you couldn't pay me to not go to the book store. Definitely gives me old school urban fiction vibes.

I'm reading his books in publication order as suggested by my book sis. And I'm looking forward to Gutters story. He played kind of the sidekick role in this story, which was a strange dichotomy. Gutter came off as more gutter than Lou Loc. Lou Loc was bout it, but he was kind, intelligent, and wanted to be a writer of all things. He wanted out. His ONLY bind was his loyalty to his set. As you read, you find out this nigga is actually stone cold crazy.

Then we have this element of selling your soul to the devil or some shit that I want to know more about. Gutter was on his death bed when Lou Loc asked Cross, who I am also curious to learn more about, to give Gutter what he gave him. And when he did, Gutter was up and poppin, murdering niggas and taking names.

I was kind of annoyed by Lou Loc thinking that the minute he made the announcement that he was out the game, that that exempted him from being attacked by enemies. Bloods and Crips were smack dab in the middle of a war when he decided to get out, and he was the leader. I don't know why he thought that declaration protected him. And I don't know why Satin convinced him to go help that raggedy bitch. In the beginning, she didn't care that Lou Loc had a bitch. She was gonna make her desire for him known. She knew Martina was fucking around on him, she knew she was a gold digging hoe, and she knew those weren't his kids. They weren't his responsibility. I would have stayed out that shit.

I wasn't blown away, but it was definitely a good read.

[Byron Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I suppose this book may be the genesis for the modern day urban lit genre. Once people experienced this unique form of storytelling the cat was outta the bag and the rest was history. Writing about LA gang culture, with such raw delivery, ain't for the squeamish to be sure. If you enjoy mayhem and bloodshed then this is the book for you.

Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in this book were riveting Just like the stories I’m from La and it be like that .

[Christopher]

This book catches my attention, because it talks about people and their problems. its as if whats happening in the book is really happening in life, you can picture what the author is saying. The characters in the book has a personality that most people have today and from that it would give others the same view. i learned from reading this book is that no matter how hard, where you from or anything, there's people that you have a closer relationship with.

For many of years, Lou Loc was an efficient assassin and O.G. of the Crip organization. Since he was done with a gang he did dirt. After awhile he becomes weary of the street life that consumed him during his years of service to his set. He begins to wonder, Is there a better way to make a living?'Lou Loc and his sociopath counterpart, Gutter, leave L.A for the colorful streets of New York. Lou Loc has dreams of becoming a writer. Gutter has dreams of becoming a King. He tries to do right, but there be obstacles that keep making him go through struggles. i would recommend this book to someone because it has a lot of drama and going back and fourth type action. Gang members turning on each other, getting a close relationship, always having each other backs, and i think that many people can get a image of how other people may think. it can go from from in a room smoking trying plan a driving by, to fighting with the one you would call your homey.

[Shanae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't like this book at all. The plot was very slow & I can't remember if I even got through the whole thing. I've read other K'wan books, so I'm thinking that it was just the storyline that didn't grab me because he's a really talented brother & a great writer...

[Shà · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not care for this book at all. I am not that interested in gangs. don't get me wrong I love kwan and his talent. but this was not one of my favorite ones at all. I was disappointed and I could not follow the story at all & I will not recoomend this story to nobody.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Gangsta by Kwan Lou-Loc was a a young man who was raised in a horrible neighborhood almost as worst as Compton . He joined crips at the age of 13 in which Gutter ( one of the crips ) convinced him because there were only two ways they rolled in their hood " be in a gang or get ganged ". Although they harmed in the beginning they became really close and had each other's backs no matter what. Their rivals were the bloods which lived on the other side of town which was far but not far enough .
Lou-Loc was cheated on with his girlfriend Martina with a blood which affected Lou-Loc . Lou-Loc was someone with a tender heart but when he had to choose him or someone else it would always be him. Martina was a poor girl in which she had nothing but she also didn't appreciate nothing saying " That's it ? You must want your lady to roll in there half ass" . She later turned out to be pregnant in which no one was sure who the future dad was. In the long run Martina had her child but later was killed in the shower by a unwanted guest .

[S. Reid]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, THAT'S WHERE I COULD FIND THE EVER ELUSIVE CHARACTER THE CROSS FROM: THIS BOOK "GANGSTA"!
Because of his reveal in the "ANIMAL 5: EXECUTIONER'S SONG" & MORE IMPORTANTLY WHO HIS GUESTS ARE, I MADE IT MY MISSION -WITH A LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM ONE OF MY FRIENDS(THANKS DEMETRIUS)-TO FIND OUT WHERE THE CROSS COULD BE FOUND!
I Completely enjoyed K'WAN'S FOREWORD-ESQUE Ahead of the story of the book because it gave us/readers a peek into what he says his life was like before his journey into being a criminalist author!
I also ENJOYED MY FAVORITE NARRATOR CARY HITE BRINGING THESE CHARACTERS ALIVE VIA VOICE, WHICH IS ALWAYS EXTREMELY VITAL!
We also found out more on characters like Gutter & Pop Top, the latter is brought into the storyline of A5:ES, unfortunately, to his end.
After I get Jada Pinkett's WORTHY Book's audible (WHICH TO ME IS QUITE RIVETING!) heard, I'll finally get to GANGSTA's Sequel "GUTTER".

[Rise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book although I was sad about the ending. Lou-Loc (St. Louis) was not only a killer, but he wanted to become a writer and meeting someone and falling in love he saw himself getting out of the gang and doing what he has wanted to do since he was young. Martina saw his writing skills as not more than what it was because that was not paying bill in her eyes and she saw Lou-Loc as a street person and hustler only. Then he meets Satin who sees not only a killer, but someone different them who he really is and challenge him to do what it is that he really wnats to do and that is to become a writer. I enjoy reading this author's work and look to always get a good story from K'wan. I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this book when I could have read it over 4 years ago, but I'm glad I finally got around to doing it. Now I am looking forward to reading Gutter's story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it was the raw, gritty book I was looking to read for awhile. I was so emotionally invested that I had tears at the end and a tense stomach for what will come next and hopefully next after that.
The characters of this book were cut a little different with the main character Lou Loc, floating in and out of gang life thinking, as a part of him wanted more in his life. His friend Gutter was a true gangbanger who ended up suffering a catastrophic injury by the rival Bloods. The book is about the perpetual war of Crips vs Bloods but there is a mix of the 'supernatural' mixed in with a character named Cross who is cold blooded.
There are so many ins and outs and deceptions and sly maneuvers that it kept me engaged and my emotions locked in. The tried and true way for me to give 5 stars. I can't wait to get into the next book of the series.

[Written Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, Cary Hite is a FIRE narrator, he brings everything he reads to life! So try audible! Anyways as always K’wan’s character development is more than I could ever desire. This book truly brought tears to my eyes. Lou Loc is the love of my life. He’s every girl’s dream.. well mine at least. An intelligent street nigga, that is actively making efforts to get out of the street life & of course fine af & loyal! Per usual I thoroughly loved every moment of this story, even through tears, I couldn’t help but smile at how perfectly K’wan penned this story.

[Jewell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Urban lit....can't say I didn't like it.... been a fan of mafia stories and crimes forever. I think what bothered me about this book is the language. A lot of street terminology (slang) took away from the story, however, the story in and of itself was okay. Won't rush out to get anymore of this genre but can't say that I won't read anymore of it either. I bought this because it was 60% off of 9.95

[Antonio Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending really got me thinking about how cyclical the gang experience is. Lou-Loc has endearing qualities, but he served the purpose of a villain more than a hero. I really think young people considering that lifestyle would do well to read K'Wan's novel and taking a self-reflective look at how destructive that culture has ultimately proven.

But K'Wan the author has a great pen and this, his first novel, was a great introduction to the budding urban fiction genre.

[Shawn Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book and all the drama that came along with it. the book had a very good story line and kept me on the edge and wondering what going to happen next and how everybody was connected.k'wan is a very good writer and i don't like to read books but after reading his book i understand why people say it nothing like a good book and he made me a true believer of that.

[Molly Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a blind date with a book that I got from the library. It was labeled “urban fiction” and “recommended for lovers of suspenseful, gritty thrillers” which I absolutely am. It was a very quick read, and a heartbreaking story. It would not be something I would pick up on my own but I’m very glad that I did.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violence, romance, politics, messages. This was a thrilling novel. Luo-loc was a great, strong protagonist with a warrior-poet archetype. The story revolves around his life in the New York blood/crip gang scene. It also has a compelling romance arc, first with a cheating long-term girlfriend followed by evolving love at first sight that has to navigate gang politics. Classic ending.

[Sue Ellen Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will start off by saying this is a genre I have never read before. It was intense gritty, and though I have never experienced life in what the author calls The Hood, it had an authentic feel. I hoped for one kind of ending and feared another. But the ending I got to me worked. Will I read more of this genre, I don’t know. But it was very well written.

[Eric Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recall the initial release of this book. I bought it immediately. Before I read the words, I knew I had to get it just from the cover. All black with just the word "Gangsta." It was and still is the coldest book cover I've ever seen. Then, when I read it, it was a page-turner. I read that book in either one or two days. Awesome.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥♥ Happy Birthday youngin, finally __ 🎉 🎂 🎁 🎈 https://inst.cr/t/Y3BmNXRhS3o3 🎉 🎂 🎁 🎈 https://usapp.fieldagent.net/applinks... Happy Birthday to my secret crush 🙂😻 I miss you more. Were looooong overdue. ‼️😹😹😹

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one by k'wan! You can't help but fall in love with the characters. Little things about the book made me laugh like pagers and payphones. 😂 I highly recommend this book and I'm now reading the 2nd one.

[Tenisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on a whim and I'm so happy I did. Gangsta is gritty and keeps the reader captured. I finished it in a couple of days because I couldn't put it down. I'll definitely be reading more of K'wan's work.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing K’wan book. Haven’t found a book I haven’t liked. Lou had a great run but I knew he was running it of time. It sucks that you can’t have it all. But Lou was a G until the end. Loved the book can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Chelley Rene · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5.
This was too short, another book of a lot of telling and not showing. Also what the hell is cross into lol. Def didn’t expect the ending at all. I’ll read the next one only bc I wanted more of gutter in this book and didn’t get it.

[Teasia Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Lou-Loc is such an amazing character. The storyline was beautifully crafted and heartbreaking to read. I don’t want to say much because I would hate to spoil this book. It is so worth the read!

[BooksAndWine🍷📖🤎 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I love Lou-Loc and I was really hoping that he would live (inserts crying emoji)! I wish that he could return in Book 2, but based on how he died, that’s not an option. It’s all up to Gutta now and I can’t wait to read his story in book two.

[Myrtie Redic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

While I was reading this book I couldn't understand why did Lou-Loc had to endure so much pain and just when he found happiness someone had to take his life this was a sad book for me

[Latrisha Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book didn't expect the ending though.