Chris Brown is no gangbanger — no matter how many gang signs he throws — but one set of Bloods say they’re cool with him acting like one … because he’s paid his dues in the hood.

Chris has aligned himself with the Fruit Town Piru set … dropping Bloods references on Instagram … but leaders of the Fruits (who’ll remain unnamed) tell TMZ Chris was never officially initiated.

The Fruits are down with Chris claiming he’s a Blood because:- He’s hired several of them to work for him … giving their Compton community an economic boost-Chris comes to the hood and hangs out with them.

He shot a music video in the neighborhood … and even included some of them in the vid-He donated a thousand pairs of new shoes to Compton kids Plus … they don’t mind the national publicity they’ve been getting. This IS L.A. after all.