38th Notable: Drug Lord Darryl "Lil D" Reed

The infamous Darryl "Lil D" Reed ran the Bay Area's drug market during the 1980s crack epidemic and is the subject of the new movie Weight, now in production. A director is still being sought, but casting has already begun. Too $hort and E-40 are among those serving as advisors for the film. The write-up below is courtesy of Weight's website.
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The year is 1983. The Place is Oakland, CA. The Drug Game in Oakland is booming, even though there has been an end to the reign of the notorious drug kingpin Felix “The Cat” Mitchell and the 69th MOB due to Federal Grand Jury indictments. With the introduction of crack cocaine comes a different game than that which Felix successfully held the reigns to over the last several years.
A 15 year old, Darryl “Lil D” Reed, is already groomed to the rules of the dope game and daily operation of 69 MOB business, and sets off at establishing himself in the streets as a major player. Armed with organizational skills and business savvy that would rival that of today’s most successful CEO’s, Lil D managed to build his own drug empire from the ground up pulling in millions of dollars by the age of twenty.

Raised in a modest working class family where the value of an education was greatly emphasized by his parents Darryl excelled both in the classroom and in athletics. He would develop a reputation throughout East Oakland first as a skillful and competitive baseball and basketball player and later for his exceptional leadership qualities and natural street hustlin’ skills. His small stature would earn him the nickname “Lil D”, a name that would soon be recognized and respected throughout the streets of East, West, and North Oakland; as well as Berkeley, Richmond, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, San Jose, Pittsburg, Vallejo, and Sacramento, CA.

Maturity beyond his years, and an uncanny knack for networking with fellow hustlers with whom he came in contact, would eventually catapult him to the top of Oakland’s drug trade before he was legally able to purchase alcohol. All this would abruptly come to an end when Darryl “Lil D” Reed was indicted on federal drug charges shortly after his lavish 21st Birthday Party. Sentenced under newly instated Mandatory Minimum Federal guidelines for drug offenses Darryl was given a sentence of 35 years with no parole - of which he is currently serving. After 20 years of incarceration the name “Lil D” is still heard throughout the streets of the Bay Area and in the lyrics of countless Bay Area rhyme spitters.