Here's an idea: the next person to say "Now that's gangsta!" gets stabbed in the temple unless they can explain who real-life gangster Frank Costello was. In case that contemporary cliche spouting douchebag happens to be you, here's a quick primer...
Costello was, along with very bad men like Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Dutch Schultz, one of the most influential gangsters in the history of American organized crime. Born in Italy, Costello immigrated to the U.S. in 1900 and after serving time as a teenager for assault and concealed weapons charges, he embarked on a successful underworld career largely devoid of violence (on his part at least). He introduced slot machines across the country and helped devise the system of odds and layoffs that bookies use to this day. He was also the inspiration for a number of gangster movies, and at least one gangsta rap song, so in honor of the 37th anniversary of his death (at the age of 82) today, we present five such artistic depictions of one of the mafia's most influential bosses.
• G Rap drops the name of just about every famous gangster on this obscure banger, including Costello, whom he calls a "hostile fellow" who "murders while remainin' mellow." Given that Costello claimed to not carry a piece after getting locked up as a teenager, this may not be the most accurate line ever, but we've known rappers to exaggerate/get shit wildy wrong on occasion.
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