‘Paid In Full’ Star Mekhi Phifer Reflects On Film’s Inspiration, Ex-Drug Dealer Alpo Martinez, Recent Death: We Had An Obligation To Do These Brothers Justice

Mekhi Phifer, Alpo Martinez

‘Paid In Full’ Star Mekhi Phifer Reflects On Film’s Inspiration, Ex-Drug Dealer Alpo Martinez, Recent Death: We Had An Obligation To Do These Brothers Justice

Actor Mekhi Phifer is breaking his silent on the death of Alpo Martinez.

As previously reported, early Halloween morning (Oct. 31) ex-drug dealer Alpo Martinez was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting on a Harlem street corner. Reportedly, the 55-year-old New York native was struck multiple times in the chest in a hail of bullets fired from a passing vehicle. In addition to his previous drug activities, many knew Alpo Martinez as being a huge inspiration for the 2002 fictional crime film Paid In Full.

Mekhi Phifer’s character, Mitch, is based on Alpo Martinez’s real-life business partner/ fellow drug dealer Rich Porter, who, unfortunately, died in 1990. Mekhi Phifer, 46, recently took to his Instagram account to reflect on Martinez’s tragic death and the work he did on Paid In Full with co-star Cam’ron, 45.

He uploaded a couple of throwback photos of himself alongside Cam’ron, who played Alpo Martinez, on the set of the film. Mekhi Phifer captioned the post,

“My brother [Cam’ron] and myself on the set of #paidinfull bringing to life the story of true #Harlem Influencers #richporter and #alpo …True story, myself and Cam went to the same high-school in Harlem at the same time. 116th and Pleasant ave. Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. We had an obligation to do these brothers justice!”

He continued, 

“I’m just happy we were able to have the honor of doing so. I never actually met Rich, ( I was much younger during that time) but got the essence from their friends and family when I chose to do the role.”

He added,

“I grew up knowing the legend of these Kats and had to represent the humanity in the choices they made. Hopefully lessons were learned and not glorified in any way. Hopefully we were able to capture their motivation and mannerisms. RIP to both these brothers. Much love!”

Cam’ron commented under the heartfelt post and wrote, 

“Thank you and (wood Harris) for teaching me during the movie a lot of acting skills. This was my first movie and was raw talent. Couldn’t have done it without you both. love bro”

What are your thoughts on what Mekhi Phifer shared? Tell us in the comments!