THE BEST PART OF SIDESHOWS
The “sideshow” phenomenon — also known as “street takeovers” — dates back to the late '80s and early '90s, especially in Oakland, California.
They started out as a form of youth expression, mainly within the African-American community. At first, they were smaller meetups in parking lots or backstreets, where people showed off their tuned cars, did donuts, burnouts, races, and other wild stunts.
Over time, they got bigger, began blocking intersections, and caught more media and police attention.
By the 2000s, the trend had spread to other cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Houston. In recent years, with social media in the mix, it’s gone full-on viral. These days, street takeovers are more organized — but still totally illegal.
The best part of these events, if you ask me, is what’s captured in the videos below.
If you don’t seal the deal on a first date like this, you’re doing something seriously wrong.
STEALING IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKSSometimes, the easy way seems like the best choice: quick, no hassle, no effort. But things aren’t always as good as they sound, and if you don’t believe me, just ask these geniuses who thought success would fall right into their laps. The result? Not only did they fail miserably, but some even went home with a "lesson" they probably didn’t expect.
In the end, what looks easy often comes with consequences. Working hard and earning an honest living might be tougher, but it has one undeniable perk: you sleep with a clear conscience. Because starting something—whether it’s a business or a “brilliant plan”—might sound simple, but once you get into it, things tend to get messy real quick.
Sometimes it’s better to admit your limits and stick to working for someone else: less risk, more stability, and, most importantly, no unexpected blows.
# Watch videos
The slow-mo of the day.