The origins of the Black Souls gang trace back to 1962 when King Wee established the group at Garfield Park. This marked the beginning of a legacy that would evolve and expand into other factions, including the Latin Souls. Both gangs faced fierce opposition from their rivals, the Black Stone Rangers. By 1966, these groups began consolidating their power, forming the formidable Black P Stone Nation. During this period, David Barksdale founded the Black Disciple Nation, aligning with 18 other gangs, including the Black Souls, igniting a rivalry between two powerful alliances.
The story took another significant turn when Hoover and Barksdale collaborated to form the Black Gangster Discipline Nation. Entering the 1970s, the Black Souls rebranded with a new faction named the Soul Brothers, led by Frank Davis at their headquarters on Kostner and 16th Street. Initially known as the Black Soul Brothers, the gang soon underwent a name change.
By 1975, Jack Bobo emerged as a pivotal figure, uniting members from various gangs to form the Mad Black Souls. This group distanced itself from existing alliances, maintaining connections only with the Four Corners Hustlers. The era was marked by the tragic murder of King Wee, after which Jack Bobo assumed leadership of the Nation, with Sam McKay becoming the head of the Black Souls.
The dynamics shifted again in 1978 with the rise of the Folk and People Nations, which the Four Corners Hustlers joined. Amidst a crisis, the Black Gangster Discipline Nation fractured, giving rise to three distinct factions: the Black Gangster Disciplines, the Black Gangsters, and the Black Disciplines.
The Mad Black Souls resisted joining the Folk and People Nations, despite showing initial interest in aligning with the Folks. Sam McKay, a key figure from the Supreme Gangsters, played a critical role within the Gangster Nation's early days. The Mad Black Souls had historical ties to the Black Discipline Nations and were part of the Discipline Alliance between 1966 and 1969. Ultimately, they chose to align their identity with the Black Gangster Disciplines, adopting symbols like the wings and heart with the pitchfork, yet refrained from formally joining the Folks.
The Mad Black Souls eventually evolved into the Gangster Black Souls, maintaining connections across various gang networks. Despite their growing influence in the 1970s, especially in the Rockwell Gardens, they maintained a distinct identity.
Recent reports indicate the Mad Black Souls were involved in supplying arms for an attack on a police station led by Angelo Roberts. Notorious for their expertise in arms dealing, they had numerous infiltrators, including within the Chicago Police Department, showcasing their strategic acumen in maintaining superior forces.