Gangster Disciples–Black Disciples conflict

Gangster Disciples–Black Disciples conflict
Date1974–present
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Other locations: Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Atlanta, Georgia
Caused bySplit of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation after David Barksdale's death, drug trade disputes, territorial rivalries
StatusOngoing
Casualties and losses
Hundreds killed, thousands injured or imprisoned (1974–2025)
Hundreds killed, thousands injured or imprisoned (1974–2025)
Casualty estimates based on law enforcement and media reports.

The Gangster Disciples–Black Disciples conflict is a brutal, ongoing feud between two of Chicago's most notorious African-American street gangs, the Gangster Disciples (GD) and the Black Disciples (BD). Ignited in 1974 by the split of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation (BGDN) after the death of BD co-founder David "King David" Barksdale, the rivalry has raged over drug territories and personal grudges, primarily in Chicago's South Side neighborhoods like Englewood and Roseland. Hundreds have died, including drill rappers FBG Duck and King Von, whose murders underscore the feud's ferocity. The 2010s rise of drill music, with its raw lyrics and social media taunts, has amplified the conflict, turning gang disputes into public spectacles. Despite federal RICO crackdowns, the feud persists as of 2025, a grim symbol of Chicago's struggle with violence, poverty, and segregation.