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7:28am Wednesday 12th March 2008
At last month's gang summit in Lambeth, the Peel Dem Crew (PDC) was named the largest gang in the borough. CARA LEE met PDC's leader and found out how its founders have turned their lives around.
Growing up in a nice house, with a stable family on the south coast of England, my happy childhood seems a world away to the grim one that 28-year-old Elijah Kerr, known as Jaja, described to me at his home in Brixton's Angell Town estate.
While I read books with my parents, played with dolls and made sandcastles, Jaja and his friends living in Angell Town were watching the drug dealers lurking around the estate and getting involved in robberies themselves.
Jaja moved to the estate from Birmingham with his siblings after his mum decided to leave his dad, who used to beat her. They were housed in a former crack den and left to do as they pleased while their mum worked several jobs to support them.
"Not having a father around has a big impact on any child, especially as a boy," said Jaja, who has three young children all aged between one and two. "If he's not around, you look to the streets instead for a father figure. That's how I got into trouble.
"There were no property developers living next door to us on the estate - we just had ex-bank robbers and drug dealers."
And it didn't take long before Jaja became caught up in what he saw around him, helping the dominant gang on the estate - the 28s - with burglaries and dodgy deals.
He says he slipped into a criminal lifestyle because of "young frustration and anger" and to make money to support himself and his family.
"At the same time it was an adventure and I was putting my energy into something," he explained.
By age 15 he was sent to Feltham Young Offenders Institution for three years for taking part in a bank robbery in Bromley. Although he vowed to clean up his act he was back dealing drugs soon after his release.
It was around this time, in the mid 90s, that Jaja and his friends with street names Phat Si, Inch, Ribz, Bloods, Birdie, formed the PDC, or Peel Dem Crew. "Peel dem" comes from the Jamaican street slang for "steal from them".
The PDC became notorious on the estate, selling drugs and threatening any other dealers who ventured on their patch.
A drug raid in 2002 sent Jaja and most of his crew back to prison. This time he turned to Islam for help and achieved City and Guilds qualifications in English, maths, accountancy and business studies.
It was in the adult cells he decided the PDC should focus on music and turn away from crime. He wrote a business plan for PDC Entertainments, an underground record label, which he formed with the others in 2005 and now runs from Shakespeare Business Centre, in Coldharbour Lane.
"I've been out of the criminal lifestyle for six years - it doesn't appeal to me anymore," said Jaja, leaning forward to expose the PDC tattoo on his neck. "Five of my friends have been shot dead. It hurts but after a while you get used to people dying.
"Now we're creating avenues for people to create their own books, music, dvd's and helping kids go to performing arts schools. We're the kids' new next-door neighbours and are better role models for them."
As well as their music, the PDC have worked with an author on a book about their lives, Street Boys, released last week.
"We want positive stuff in the media, such as seeing ex-gang members doing good, rather than the hype about gang crime which puts pressure on kids to join them," he adds.
Jaja thinks kids need support from a younger age, being told about different careers, to stop them turning to crime. He also says money needs to be ploughed into youth facilities and performing arts schools.
"Once you're created in the system it's hard to get out," he said. "But we've turned a different chapter and switched the game. You can do anything you want to do - we're living proof of that. There are no excuses."
Street Boys by Tim Pritchard is published by Harper Collins and costs £12.99.
For more information visit pdcent.com or streetmusik.co.uk
Tom Humphreys, Inner London says...
2:59pm Wed 12 Mar 08
?, London says...
4:10pm Wed 12 Mar 08
Ni, London says...
4:46pm Wed 12 Mar 08
? wrote:You completely misunderstand what I said. I'm not judging him on his clothes I'm saying that he's not worked an honest day in his life yet he gets to parade around in Designer clothes as owner of a "Record label" all funded by Blood money. Trying to do something good? Just bleating about more money being given to youth projects and taking a maths exam doesn't really make up for years of terrorising the residents of Brixton. The only reason he's able to "go straight" is because he amassed enough money to set up his own business. I'm sure lots of people would like to be able to have their own business but for the average honest person this is not possible. The only reason he's saying all this is because he's got a book to sell. Again, the writer of this should be ashamed.
Give him a chance at least he trying to do something good in life. So what if he is wearing designer clothes, dont judge someone by there clothes.
WoW, N22 says...
5:07pm Wed 12 Mar 08
Alan, London says...
10:51pm Wed 12 Mar 08
Alan, London says...
10:56pm Wed 12 Mar 08
Alan, London says...
10:59pm Wed 12 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
6:42am Thu 13 Mar 08
Lisa, Croydon says...
2:31pm Thu 13 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
3:02pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Lisa, Croydon says...
3:24pm Thu 13 Mar 08
N, London says...
4:06pm Thu 13 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
4:09pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Lisa wrote:I think the gangsters of the 30's and the ones im talking about are completely different.For a start Al Capone didnt mug people,secondly he didnt sell drugs,so comparison ended.I will say this slowly for the third time and hopefully it will register this time.I said people who dress this way want the gangsta LOOK not nessesarily be a gangsta.The reason i mentioned your colour was just simply because in the past you denied it in my past dealings with you and it sort of says the sort of person you are.Gangters are from the 30's gangsta is a modern terminology and the two are like chalk and cheese so stop using it as a comparison.I dont care where you think i buy my clothes i was simply curious as to why you said it and how you came to that conclusion?maybe if you took the time to read the posts and understand them you wouldnt come out like an attack dog,which seems to be your style..
In fact I never denied I was of colour. You assumed because I am not white that I am black, seems you are the ignorant one.
I am far from shallow, just merely pointing out that your theory on people wearing these clothes is complete rubbish. I know many people who dress in labels, so I had to comment on your stupid theory. I see you dont like me assuming you shop at Asda but you are quite happy to assume people who dress like this are wannabe gangsters! Double standards I think people call it or ignorance as you pointed out!
And its funny how I havent even mentioned anyones colour but yet I seem to be the one with the chip on my shoulder, you brought it up luv, not me.
Not one man I know who wears decent clothes wants to look like a gangster,they just want to look decent. In fact as Alan quite rightly pointed out, real gangsters never used to wear clothes of this sort so what are you talking about!
WoW, N22 says...
4:11pm Thu 13 Mar 08
N wrote:Well have a word with Alan as he says there is no money dealing drugs,yet this guys opening a record label....HELLO
I love the way this has turned into a discussion about Fashion!!!
And by the way, I am more than qualified to comment on this story and know for a fact that he has made serious money from his lifestyle.
Lisa, Croydon says...
5:12pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Sabrinah, London says...
5:56pm Thu 13 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
6:05pm Thu 13 Mar 08
WoW, watford says...
6:25pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Sabrinah wrote:Hello witchy poo,i see your playing the race card,surprise surprise.Why is it that when an arguement cannot be won people pull out the race card b0llocks.You mention the writer of this article and the word ashamed,why? as i havent mentioned either.Is this the way you win a debate by throwing as much sh1t and hope some sticks?Your infantile attempt at humour is almost as pathetic as your race card crap.Spit it out girl and just say it,you think im a racist,there ive said it for you.Well you couldnt be further from the truth.I have a greek partner with two kids and i dont think i would have survived in Wood Green by being a racist.At the end of the day this arguement has got out of hand and i will say this only one more time(the fourth)and hopefully you will hear it.I said people who dress like that want to LOOK like a gangsta,go back and read the post,i didnt say they wanted to BE a Gangsta.The only thing i said was gangstas wear caps,try reading the bl00dy article before ranting on and calling me a racist.I just hate it when people twist words to win an debate..the end
Come on Wow - say what you mean....we all know what you are trying to get at but just won\'t say it.
Why should the write of this article be ashamed? Surely in a free society any point of view can be published? I really don\'t think they should be ashamed of their actions - they are just reporting a story.
Anyway you obviously have superior knowledge about the inner workings of gangs, american record labels, money landering, fashion and more so I\'ll leave you to it.
Oh - I\'m passing Asda on the way home - let me know if you need an new outfit for sitting on your high horse.
Ray, says...
6:54pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Sabrinah, London says...
10:35am Fri 14 Mar 08
Lisa, Croydon says...
10:39am Fri 14 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
12:38pm Fri 14 Mar 08
Sabrinah wrote:Racism is intolerance of other races,if therfore i have a partner from another race with two kids how can you say that point is invalid.As for bringing colour into it,that was as ive explained to point out to lisa that i will take what she says with a pinch of salt as she had previously denied her colour.As you can imagine,with a missus and two kids of a different race i am justified in getting wound up when someone throws the racist card up.I apologise for getting irate but i hate the word racist being bandied around like confetti,when it is a serious issue.If your calling me a racist your saying i dont like my kids or at least thats how i see it.Im glad you have been civil over this and as you can see i can be civil back and i do apologise for swearing..
Wow - Sweetness - the difference between me and you is that I'm not trying to win any argument. I really dont need to. I'm just putting my thoughts across and stating what I think. If Im honest, I do think you have a slight racist whiff about you but if you are saying Im wrong then fine, perhaps youre not, only my opinion anyway. I only brought it up as Im sure you were the first person to bring colour up to another person on here when no one else had, but as you say, youre say not a racist so thats that.
I was mistaken in thinking it was yourself that wrote the bit about the writer of the article being ashamed sorry I didnt read the post correctly Ill be sure to in future as it obviously upset you and I dont want to do that.
Why get so wound up about strangers thoughts? I dont agree with your comments but Im not going to get upset over the opinions you have. Justifying your Greek partner and what Im sure are lovely children was a pointless comment though! You must be able to see why. Its like saying Im not racist I have loads of black/mixed/white/or
iental/asian friends. I personally have a partner of a different ethnicity also; but I truly am not racist so didnt think I needed to bring that up.
No need for all the aggression and swearing also, goodness, youll give yourself a heart attack! You do need to calm down and be able to put your opinion over in a rational way otherwise people give up listening. I just like reading peoples opinions on here and occasionally replying, but as this seems to be your thing, please try not to get so angry when people say something about you - once again, its only a strangers opinion!
Love lots x
WoW, N22 says...
12:46pm Fri 14 Mar 08
Lisa wrote:One day you will read the post that you comment on and Understand it before posting.Gangsta all dress alike,no individuality.In Wood Green you have two gangs,one wear thomas the tank engine caps and the other bob the builder,this is so when they clash they can tell each other apart.Heard of the crips and the bloods in america,one wears red the other blue so to answer your question..yes they do wear uniforms.End of
Firstly, what makes you think you have a valid argument? Secondly, in order for me to be a hypocrite I would have to call you ignorant and then deny I was being ignorant too! I beleive I openly said I was being ignorant in assuming you shop in Asda, same way you are being ignorant assuming people who dress this way want to LOOK like gangsters.You dont have any logic, your comments are based on stereotypes. And you claim to not be racist but then constantly bring up the race card. I havent mentioned it but you have, more than once! It seems to really get to you for some reason....
Hmmm so your logic is, if you wear a firemans uniform then you are trying to look like a fireman. Oh I didnt realise gangsters have a uniform, does it come with badges too? And you refer to the gangs in America, but what about the gangs in South America, India, China, Thailand, Russia, Italy etc? Or do you only think that the gangs in America are the biggest organised gangs in the world because if you do, you are seriously wrong!
Then you make the most ridiculous statement that gangsters wear caps. That is like saying paedophiles wear Y fronts!
Why do you constantly TRY to invalidate my argument? Is it because you feel so insecure about yourself that you have to try and put others down? I dont get it!
And you say Sabrinah is infantile and then use the words witchy poo at the beginning of your comment? Yea real mature one you are!
You seem to have an anger problem, perhaps you need some love in your life!
Lisa, Croydon says...
2:48pm Fri 14 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
5:52pm Fri 14 Mar 08
Lisa wrote:You keep going on about all these countries and i have no idea why.I am specifically talking about the American street gangs and the English street gangs copying them but as always you fudge the issue when your backed in a corner.You obviously use words you do not know the meaning of so i will enlighten you
This will be my last post because quite frankly, uou are boring me now! Your attempt to crack a joke went down like a lead balloon.....
Gangsters do not all dress alike, go do a google search to find out and compare americans with the colombians and triads etc. As for the bloods and crypts, well I wouldnt call wearing a particular colour a uniform because if that was the case, I suppose people who wear yellow want to look like firemen, if we are going by your theory.
And as for the bloods and crypts, they wear normal clothing and bandanas of different colours!
As for your explanation for not being racist. Well whether you are or not. Being married to a Greek doesnt mean you cant be racist towards other people from different backgrounds!
Anyway....zzzzz...I am so bored of this argument now and have nothing more to add, ciao!
AJ, London says...
6:13pm Fri 14 Mar 08
WoW, N22 says...
7:41pm Fri 14 Mar 08
mayornas, sweden says...
8:57pm Fri 14 Mar 08
mayornas, sweden says...
10:36pm Fri 14 Mar 08
Stelios, W11 says...
12:51pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Rebecca, Ontario says...
7:50pm Fri 11 Apr 08
taz, kennington, south london says...
2:34pm Mon 28 Apr 08
barfah joof, BRIXTON LONDON says...
10:07am Thu 8 May 08
barfah joof, BRIXTON LONDON says...
10:07am Thu 8 May 08
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N, London says...
2:01pm Wed 12 Mar 08
Seeing this idiot posing in designer gear like some kind of superstar makes me sick. You should be ashamed of yourselves for promoting their book.