Uptown Yardies

The Uptown Yardies are a Jamaican gang, led by King Courtney, which appear in Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Advance and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

Description
In 1998 they work with the Leone Family and corrupt LCPD officer Leon McAffrey, who owed them a favour, to gain contol of the Newport district of Staunton Island, Liberty City from the Forelli Family. Leone Family member Toni Cipriani then assists them in holding on to the district from a Sindacco Family assault, with Rudyard seriously injured during the fight. Once Leon McAffrey ceases to meet with Toni, the Yardies suddenly turn hostile towards Toni.

In 2000 Mike first becomes aware of King Courtney when Jonnie informs him that he owes Courtney money. When Jonnie is killed, Mike hunts down Courtney looking for revenge but is convinced to work for him, promising to find out who killed Vinnie. King Courtney has him prove himself in a race and then attack the Colombian Cartel, collecting their cans of coffee from three locations in the city. Courtney then sends Mike to kill Cartel leader Cisco, however Mike only kills his lieutenants. Mike is again sent to kill Cisco, but decides to form an alliance with him. Mike also discovers that the Yardies are sending bad fish to Asuka Kasen's restaurants, leading to numerous lawsuits. Mike later fights Courtney, who surrenders to Mike, who decides to spare him.

In 2001 King Courtney employs Claude, after he proves himself in a race. Courtney first has Claude kill a number of Diablos on their turf, Hepburn Heights, this after the Diablos had been 'dissing' Queen Lizzy. Then, Courtney has Claude collect a Mafia Sentinel, a Yakuza Stinger and a Diablo Stallion so that the Yardies can kill members of the Leone Family, Yakuza and Diablos without initially being noticed. Courtney then betrays Claude and allies himself with Cartel leader Catalina, having a number of suicide bombers attack Claude in a car park in Bedford Point. The Yardies then begin to sell SPANK, a Cartel manufactured drug, on the streets of Staunton Island.

Uptown Yardie members are seen with dreadlocks and in GTA III wear ex-army attire. However in GTA Liberty City Stories they are depicted wearing brightly coloured tank tops, with or without a yellow t-shirt worn inside, jeans and brown boots. Their use of Jamaican English and modern street slang with their heavy Jamaican accents make them relatively difficult to understand on occasions without the use of the game's subtitles.

The favourite radio station of the Yardies is K-Jah.