The Bloods were specifically created with the intention of fighting against the Crips. The Crip alliance (the Crips & Bloods are alliances/associations of street gangs rather than being two obvious groups) was increasingly powerful/numerous following its creation and was becoming a threat to rival local gangs like Piru, Brims, Lanes etc. who did not want to become a part of it. These gangs banded together and formed their own alliance as a means of better fighting back against the Crips, which became the Bloods.

Even though the "Crips vs Bloods" concept is very popular in pop culture, for the most part the most common enemy for a Crip gang in L.A during the 80s and 90s was another Crip gang. Both L.A Crips and Bloods are/were divided into different smaller alliances of gangs that are at odds with each-other and oftentimes a beef between two Crip alliances would supersede any beef the gangs might have with neighboring Bloods.