Violent blaxploitation film in which a young black shoeshine boy is crippled by a racist police officer and grows up to become the 'Godfather of Harlem'. He ingratiates himself with the local mafia scene and gradually becomes more autonomous, vowing vengeance on his tormentor. The film features a soundtrack by soul legend James Brown, and was followed by a sequel, 'Hell Up in Harlem', in the same year.