The quick history of Paul Pierce’s “Gang Sign” - The 3 stripes
April 30th, 2008



I’ll keep it short and sweet.
- Old Boston Hip Hop group “3 4 Da Stripes”
- Boston in need of an identity wore Adidas over Nike’s preferred by the rest of hip hop
- lower case b doubles for 3 fingeres (aka stripes), 3 stripes doubles for lower case b
- Adapted into 3 stripes for Blood, Sweat and Tears or BST which can be Boston shortened
It is something that developed and evolved from Hip Hop culture. Much in the same way nobody knows who the first person to say “Bling Bling” (I know bad example) was the “3 stripes” representing Boston has many origins. One can not deny that it it’s origins are closely associated with (at least initially) Boston’s Hip Hop culture and roots.
Leave it up to the anti-Hip Hop David Stern to make a huge deal about nothing. Unlike the “B” for bloods (alledgedly where Pierce is from and what he meant according to the NBA) the 3 stripes won’t get you shot in Boston.
P.S. Yes that is Mayor Menino flashing the 3 stripes
You can see more of A. Garcia’s (one of the best Photogs in Beantown) stuff at his MySpace page here
by J.
Tags: 3 Stripes, Boston, David Stern Sucks, Fine, Gang Signs, Pierce