The Bangy Boy series grew from the experience of photographer Vincent Alan W, while attending Art School in the city of New York in 1984. The term Bangy Boy or Homeboy has its origins in the streets of New York City and refer to the environumentally produced subculture of Puerto Rican and Black youths from New York City. The photographs were taken in all boroughs of New York and exhibit the sexual style of dress, body language, haircuts, gold chains and sneakers, which are characteristics of the Bangy Boy look. Thanks to music personalities like Run DMC, LL cool J, and Kurtis Blow, the Bangy Boy/Homeboy look has become known around the world.