Dame Dash lost control of Paid in Full as 50 Cent and Cam’ron team up to reimagine the Harlem street classic as a TV series.
Dame Dash and Paid in Full are back in the spotlight, but this time the news cuts deep for the Harlem-bred mogul. The cult classic he once called his crown jewel is no longer under his control, according to reports. After filing for bankruptcy and giving up key assets, Dame now faces the reality that his biggest film accomplishment has landed in the hands of someone else. 50 Cent.
50 has seemingly acquired the rights to Paid in Full and is plotting to spin it into a television series. And, the G-Unit general wants to include Cam’ron, star of the original movie and Dame Dash’s former friend.
On Instagram, 50 outlined his plot. “I now have the rights to PAID IN FULL, im developing it into a premium Tv show. if you like God Father of Harlem your gonna love this,” he said. “Cam set to Executive produce along side me, if you want in get at him I’m out of the country.”
The move fits his formula, with the success of shows like Power and BMF proving he knows how to turn gritty street tales into mainstream hits. Given Paid in Full’s place in Hip-Hop culture, this next chapter is already massive.
Cam’ron, once signed to Dame’s old Roc-A-Fella brand, has not become an adversary. Their falling out years ago was messy, and this partnership seems to be a proverbial nail in the coffin.
Released in 2002 through Roc-A-Fella Films and Dimension Films, Paid in Full starred Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer and a young Cam’ron. The film dramatized the real-life rise of Harlem street legends Azie Faison, Rich Porter and Alberto “Alpo” Martinez. It wasn’t a box office juggernaut, but it became a cultural staple, quoted endlessly in rap lyrics and a celebrated piece of cinema. It told a tale of loyalty, greed and betrayal in the drug game. For Dame, it was proof he could expand his influence into Hollywood.
Now, with 50 and Cam holding the reins, the story is set to be retold in serial form. Now, Dame is left to chart his next move. He has publicly stated he has a plan to bounce back, but the details remain unclear.
Dame helped immortalize Harlem hustlers on the big screen, but is seemingly forced to the sideline. And his one-time friend and his longtime foe join forces to control the story. Paid in Full as a series is likely to draw attention far beyond Harlem.
Related
