Imperial Village Crips

Name: Imperial Village Crips
Also Known As: Inglewood Village Crips, IVC, 115 IVC
Location: Inglewood, California
Area: West Side Inglewood
Origin: Arbor Village / Imperial Highway area
Founded: Late 1960s–early 1970s
Ethnicity: Primarily African-American
Affiliation: Inglewood Crips
Main Area: Arbor Village
Hip-Hop Connections: Evil Mind Gangstas, Thug Life, Outlawz
Tupac Shakur associates
Known Members: Tyruss “Big Syke” Himes, Big Kato, Mental Illness
Rappers: Village Boo, Niqle nut, No Brains

The Imperial Village Crips (IVC), also known as the Inglewood Village Crips, are a predominantly African-American street gang located in the Arbor Village neighborhood and the Imperial Highway corridor on the west side of Inglewood, California. The Imperial Village Crips are among the oldest Crip sets in Inglewood, a city where Bloods outnumber Crips.

Their traditional territory stretches from Imperial Highway to 118th Place and from Prairie Avenue to Crenshaw Boulevard. The Imperial Village Crips are known to congregate in apartment complexes between 115th Street and Imperial Hwy.

The gang’s territory is South of the Inglewood Family Bloods and Crenshaw Mafia Bloods, while also bordering several neighborhoods throughout Inglewood and the South Bay area. Members of the Imperial Village Crips refer to this section of the city as “IngleWatts,” due to its reputation for gang-related violence.

Michael Scruggs, one of the founding members of the Inglewood Village Crips, was among the many who protested the execution of Stanley “Tookie” Williams, the founder of the West Side Crips and co-founder of the Crips. Scruggs joined Hollywood celebrities, community leaders, and activists in urging California officials to commute Williams’ death sentence, seeking clemency before Williams was executed by lethal injection on December 13, 2005.

During The Thug Life Era (1990s)

Imperial Village Crips became nationally known through several members being connected to Tupac Shakur’s inner circle during the 1990s.

Tyruss “Big Syke” Himes was one of the most recognized figures associated with Imperial Village Crips. Before joining Tupac in Thug Life and later the Outlawz, Big Syke was a member of Evil Mind Gangstas, a group that also included Mental Illness.

Big Kato, another Imperial Village Crips member, was a close friend of Big Syke and Tupac. After his death, Tupac and Big Syke honored him through multiple songs, including “How Long Will They Mourn Me,” “So Many Tears,” “Only Fear of Death,” and “Life Goes On.”

Mental Illness was also affiliated with Imperial Village Crips and Evil Mind Gangstas. Like Big Kato, he was part of the circle of friends and artists around Big Syke and Tupac during the early 1990s. Tupac later mentioned both Kato and Mental in tribute songs after their deaths.

Through Big Syke, Big Kato, and Mental Illness, Imperial Village Crips became connected to one of the most influential periods in West Coast hip-hop history.

Documented Incidents

Isaiah Strickland Homicide (2003)

On November 2, 2003, 17-year-old Isaiah Strickland was fatally shot in Portland, Oregon, following a confrontation at a birthday party. The investigation tied individuals involved in the case to Southern California gang affiliations, including Imperial Village Crips, Kerby Blocc Crips, and Inglewood Family Bloods. The case showed how conflicts involving Los Angeles gang members could extend beyond their original neighborhoods.

Oklahoma City Presence

During the crack cocaine era of the 1980s and 1990s, Imperial Village Crips members and associates were documented outside California. Law enforcement identified an Imperial Village Crips presence in Oklahoma City, including activity connected to the Will Rogers Courts Apartments. The Oklahoma presence showed that Imperial Village members had connections outside Inglewood during the period when many Los Angeles gangs expanded into other states.

Allies & Rivals

During the 1990s, the Imperial Village Crips and the Osage Legend Crips shared a close alliance. They maintain a neutral stance towards the 118 Gangster Crips and Mad Ass Gangster Crips. Additionally, the Imperial Village Crips have a cordial relationship with gangs that are part of the Rollin’ 100s Crips.

One of Imperial Village Crips’ oldest rivalries is with the Inglewood Family Bloods, Crenshaw Mafia Bloods, Weirdos Gangster Bloods, Hawthorne Piru, Avenue Piru, Center Park Bloods, and the Watergate Crips.