How a former gang member helped shape FX's 'The Drop: A Snowfall Saga' and give back to his city

LOS ANGELES -- "I think 'The Drop' is important because it's really history," said Skipp Townsend, a consultant on FX's newest show, "The Drop: A Snowfall Saga."

"In the 1990s things were different. The crack epidemic was dying down a little bit and people were going into music."

FX's "The Drop: A Snowfall Saga" follows protagonists Wanda Bell and Leon Smith as they fight to reinvent themselves in 90s Los Angeles during the rise of West Coast rap.

"Having brothers like Skipp, they have a voice in the show," said Malcolm Spellman, the show runner, executive producer, and writer of FX's "The Drop".

As a consultant, Townsend helped ensure that the show stayed accurate in its depiction of 90's Los Angeles, working with the cast and crew to authentically portray the characters and advising on everything from their lingo to their body movements.

Townsend also leaned on his relationships throughout south LA to bridge the divide between fictional LA and real-life LA, even helping many of the local's become extras in the scenes.

For Townsend, LA is more than a tv show set, it's where he was born and raised. And for over 27 years, he was associated with the city's Bloods gang.

"I didn't decide to be a Blood," explained Townsend. "I just decided to fight back."

After beginning to raise his own kids in the same neighborhood he grew up in, Townsend became passionate about addressing gang violence and creating a safer community. In 2006, he started 2nd Call, a community-based organization that he is now the CEO of, focused on reducing violence through life skill classes, gang mediation and more initiatives.

"We were doing healing circles and pushing support at the juvenile hall to keep the children and teachers and staff safe," reflects Shirley Walker, the Director of Human Resources at 2nd Call.

"We mediated with the local gangs, and we put a peace agreement in place so that the children can be safe. Skipp tries to help everybody, and he sees the good in everybody. He's actually changing lives and giving people the opportunity to provide for their families."

Kevin Ford, a formerly incarcerated attendee of 2nd Calls program, has known Skipp for over 40 years.

"I wrote to Skipp when I was in prison and asked him to hook me up with the program. I came home and he got me to work," he said. "For so long I was part of the problem out here you know, gang banging, selling drugs. I admire most about Skipp that he hasn't given up on none of us. 2nd Call is about second chances."

Just like 2nd Call, FX's "The Drop" explores similar themes of ambition, survival and street politics at a time where West Coast rap was on the rise and reshaping American culture.

"A lot of people come into the community, and they don't empower the community," explained Townsend on the impact that the cast and crew of FX's "The Drop" had on locals. "What 'The Drop' did, they came into the community and they empowered the community."

FX's "The Drop: A Snowfall Saga" is now streaming on Hulu.

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