The East side of Detroit on a street called Hasting, the winter of 1945 a black prince was born, his name was James Johnson. His mother was known as Black Sadie and everyone called James, JJ and some called him Slim. He was born to a beautiful black woman who was known as the queen of Black Bottom. She wore her crown with distinction. She was tall for a woman, with dark brown skin and long black hair. It would be hard to find any man black or white who wasn’t in love with Black Sadie, she was born to be a star.

Her style and manner was unblemished in presenting herself, she was always a lady in what she did. She always looked first class. The only thing that was never altered by her was the love she had for her son. There was never any doubt about that and it was known by everyone that knew her. She made sure that she made him aware of whom he was, and taught him about his surroundings; grooming him for the day that he would become a player, pimp and gangster, and showing him in every way how to reach the top until he became the king of the streets, ruling all of Black Bottom and controlling all vice on Detroit’s east side.

He learned from the only woman he knew truly loved him, his mother Black Sadie. She taught him the games of the street and the streets turned him into a gangster who ruled his empire and taught him how to become the King of Black Bottom. Black Sadie gave him life, but everything else he wanted he took in his way to becoming a master player. JJ became a larger than life gangster and killer who took the streets of Black Bottom for himself.