The Cultural Impact of Paid in Full

“I love the game. I love the hustle, man.”

The movie quote above has echoed through the last two decades as a mantra, representing a mindset many in their respective industries hold dear.

Why?

Because movies have the most staying power of all the media we consume, even music, they give us visuals that stick in our minds for decades to come. The hero’s journey, the quotes, and the moments in between all inspire us to be something greater than we are.

When you think of movies specifically in the context of lifestyle marketing, many of the trends we know and love today are actually niche cultural truths that eventually found their way onto the big screen. Upon doing so, they changed the world.

That’s especially true in the context of fashion, car culture, etc., which brings us to the focus of today:

PAID IN FULL.

Paid in Full is just a little over 20 years old, and like most old movies, it influenced (and reflected) many of the trends in Hip-hop we adore today come from the 80s.

I watched it a few times this month, and it got me thinking about how it represents an era that has defined culture for years to come.

So, like we always do at this time, let’s talk Paid in Full.

WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?

Paid in Full is loosely based on the true story of three notorious Harlem drug dealers—AZ, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez—whose rise defined the lavish yet gritty lifestyle at the peak of New York’s 1980s crack epidemic.

It was produced by Dame Dash and stars Wood Harris as Ace (based on AZ), Mekhi Phifer as Mitch (inspired by Rich Porter), and rapper Cam’ron in his breakout role as Rico (a depiction of Alpo).

Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, & Cam’ron (from left to right)

The film chronicles Ace's reluctant entry into the dope game alongside his charismatic best friend Mitch (who was already in the game) and the flashy, hot-headed Rico.

As their empire rapidly expands, their accumulation of wealth and street credibility collide with all the usual trappings of that lifestyle: jealousy, betrayal, and inevitable violence.

Ultimately, their ambitions unravel tragically, exposing the harsh realities beneath their rise to power.

Over time, Paid in Full's impact evolved beyond cinema in ways that still resonate with Hip-hop culture, fashion, music, and branding, becoming an enduring reference point for generations seeking authenticity, aspiration, and hustle.

Here are just a few ways its impact is present:

I. IT SERVES AS A TIME CAPSULE

Although Paid In Full was released in 2002, Gen Z’ers are still discovering it, making the film a period piece that transports them to the source of the nostalgia they reference.

Moreover, several of the items featured in the film were status symbols of the late 80s and early 90s. To date, they remain trophies that many lifestyle rappers incorporate into their visual ID as homage to that era, and the time capsule aspect of it all appears in a few facets of culture:

A. CAR & BIKE CULTURE

Many of the cars featured in the movie are reminiscent of the iconic rides that defined that era of New York.

For those who grew up in that era, these are the old schools they know and love—much like in the South, where Old School Caddies and Box Chevys are beloved.

Here are just a few of the most iconic cars & bikes featured in Paid In Full:

The BMW 325i Convertible

When Mekhi Phifer’s character Mitch got out of jail, Ace gifted him with a cherry-red BMW.

To this day, this scene has helped generations to come develop an affinity for old-school BMWs, especially the ones from this era.

The 1987 Saab 900 Cabrio (w/ Gold BBS rims)

Another iconic scene in the film is when Ace spots Mitch in a brand-new whip while outside of his job.

It’s humorous to look at in 2025, but back then, that car was considered a “spaceship.”

If you check the comments on this video and look around on Reddit, the general consensus is that this car was ahead of its time; Paid in Full is helping its lore continue.

Courtesy of IMCDB

II. THE LEGACY OF MONEY MAKING MITCH

If you ask most fans of the movie, they’ll quickly tell you that the standout character from Paid In Full was Mitch, whose real life tragically ended in the way the movie portrays.

Despite that, Mekhi Phifer’s performance of the loyal, charismatic hustler became one that resonated with culture, so much so that his name & reputation have traveled through the generations.

More specifically, in this particular scene below, Mitch’s (and Mekhi Phifer’s) legacy in culture was cemented. If you don’t watch anything else in this article, commit two minutes to this clip:

(The irony of the nickname is that Mitch’s Uncle Ice, who’s an antagonist in the movie, was the one who calls him “Money Making Mitch” — elite-level pocket-watching, smh).

There are too many Mitch references to list, but here are just a few that you’ll see in culture:

A. Young Nudy - Money Making Mitch

If you listen to the track below, you’ll also hear a snippet of the movie at the beginning, but the influence doesn’t stop there.

B. Westside Gunn & Joey Bada$$ - 327

Around the 2min mark of this song off of Westside Gunn’s Pray For Paris 3 Joey Bada$$ kicks off his verse with a reference to Mitch & the secret compartment in the Saab mentioned earlier.

In the stash spot on some Money Mitch shit (Woo)
Adjust the AC, conceal the biscuit (Yeah)

- Joey Bada$$

C. Trash Can Basketball

Below is a scene from the beginning of the movie where Mitch and Rico bet money on a game of trash can basketball. While Mitch isn’t the primary focus in this scene, it offers a glimpse into Rico’s character and the dynamics of his relationship with Mitch.

And here’s the recreated scene from Dame & Cam’ron just a few years back for Dame’s album:

III. IT’S A STATEMENT ON REAL FRIENDSHIP

On social media, you’ll see old and new generations alike talk about this movie from a different angle than the hustle.

For them, Paid In Full is a powerful story about brotherhood (and betrayal).

Ace and Mitch reflect the power of real friendship, one that’s not built on secret jealousy or competition; instead, it's a brotherhood in which they are both happy for each other, there for one another, etc.

For a second, you almost forget that they’re in the streets because it feels like the film is solely about their friendship.

The scene below speaks to that a lot.

Notice the comments on YouTube, too.

A few are about being in the game, but the bulk are about the strength of Ace & Mitch’s friendship.

IV. IT GAVE US MEMES

Perhaps Paid In Full’s biggest cultural contributions have come in the form of memes and gifs.

The creators couldn’t have guessed, but some of the best scenes from the movies have become reactions to moments when you experience a range of emotions, from joy to hardship and everything in between.

Here are a few that you might’ve seen before:

THE AFTERMATH

This is one of my favorite movies, and obviously, ya know, this isn’t to promote or glorify drug dealing. On the contrary, what you really take away from the movie is how it destroyed everything around them.

If nothing else, though, Paid In Full brings you back to the time of Harlem’s heyday and an era when Hip-hop was just reaching its maturity — with that came a lot of good (and, of course, a lot of bad). Despite that, this is still one of them ones.

If this is the first time you've heard about this movie, watch it this weekend. If you’ve seen it before and it’s been a while since you should do the same.

As for me? Man, I might run it back again because why not?

One.