(AllHipHop News) “First movie ever, murked out Mekhi Phife,” rapped Cam’ron on “I Really Mean It.” The Dipset emcee was referring to his 2002 movie Paid In Full which starred Cam, Mekhi Phifer, and Wood Harris. The film was produced by Roc-A-Fella Films under the guidance of the Roc’s co-founder Dame Dash.
[ALSO READ: Roc-A-Fella’s “Paid In Full” Still Changes the Game 10 Years Later]
Cam’ron and Dame sat down with Hip Hop Motivation to discuss the fictional motion picture based on the lives of Harlem drug dealers Alpo Martinez, Rich Porter, and Azie “AZ” Faison. Cam reveals he took an extra step in order to ensure he got the role of Rico.
“I was talking to Dame recently about how I want to find my audition tape. I basically wanted the part so bad when I came to audition and did the reading I had a real gun on me,” stated Cam. “It was a part in the script where I pulled out a gun. I was like, ‘I really wanted them to know – the readers, Dame, everybody.’ I pulled out the gun and the guy who was ready was like, ‘Yo,’ and Dame was like, ‘Chill.’ I was trying to get the part [laughs].”
Cam then added that Dame fought for him to make the movie even though the filmmakers wanted to go with someone else. Dame then explained how Harris getting the part of Ace was connected to Cam’ron being chosen for the film.
“The trade-off was Wood Harris to play AZ. To be honest, in the beginning I didn’t think he could pull it off because he wasn’t from Harlem. He had to spend two weeks with A,” said Dame. “If he could do it then, I’ll let him be AZ, but you gotta let Cam be Rico’s part. That s**t kinda worked out.”
[ALSO READ: Dame Dash Explains Why Looking Like You’re Losing Can Really Be A Win]
Watch Cam’ron and Dame Dash’s interview below.