Game Over: The Rise and Transformation of a Harlem Hustler

by Azie Faison, Agyei Tyehimba

A cautionary tale about the life of former kingpin Azie Faison, who has become the fabric of street legend

Faison was a ninth grade dropout who earned more than $100,000 a week selling cocaine in Harlem, New York, during the peak of America's "War on Drugs" between 1983 and 1990. Faison, along with two partners, was an urban prince with cars, jewels, and people -- in awe of this million-dollar phenomenon -- at his feet. His legacy has been praised by hip-hop's top names in their lyrics, and his life was the basis for the urban cult classic film Paid in Full starring Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, and rapper Cam'ron and produced by Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Films.

In Game Over , Azie brings forth a powerful memoir of New York's perilous drug underworld and music industry, with an intellect and wisdom to empower and challenge the street culture he knows so very well.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Agyei Tyehimba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached Azie Faison about writing his memoir some years ago, and he agreed. We got a deal with Atria (a Simon 7 Schuster imprint) and the result was this book, released in 2007.

I've read dozens of reviews at this site and others. Some people were disappointed that Game Over didn't mirror the movie "Paid in Full" (which incidentally, was co-written by Azie Faison). I want people to understand that this book came after the movie. Also, the original screenplay that Azie and Austin Phillips wrote was sold to Rocafella films and they proceeded to re-write and revise the script 25 times. Therefore the movie is a Hollywood production, while this book is the REAL story "straight from the horse's mouth."

The book is intended to be a cautionary tale that uses Azie's life to expose the world of drug-dealing and street life, and the traps that come along with them, to young people all over this country that idolize Azie, Alpo, Rich Porter and people like them.

Azie himself regrets his former activities and lifestyle, and believes he played a major role in popularizing the style and appetite for urban drug-dealing that exists in lesser amounts today. We wanted this book to be a coming of age story that explored the development of a young man in Harlem, the choices he made, and the forces behind those choices. Instead of glamorizing the drug world, we expose it as yet another way to sedate, incarcerate and oppress Black and Brown people in the United States. I believe we accomplished that while accurately describing Harlem style, slang, and flava in the 80s and 90s.

We appreciate everyone who purchased and/or read the book, and we hope it touched you...

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Game over

This was a good story but I felt it would've been better had it been edited. There were a lot of parts in which I felt the author was all over the place.

[Bob Lake · Rating 2 out of 5]

I"m about 2/3 of the way through the book and so far I find it very predictable and I get a strong feeling of dishonesty (or lack of insight into his motivations) on the part of the author.

At the least, I expected some descriptions of the nature of the participants in the drug subculture. But there are few details to help us understand the motivations of the participants and little of interest about the sociology of the people involved.

I do not recommend this book.

I'll add more later if I change my mind.

Bob

[Vic&Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Trapped”

Good read. I saw the movie “Paid in Full”. However, this book gives us a real look at Azie’s personal thoughts and experiences from his youth to adulthood and how the “drug game” took more from him than it gave.

[Ebony Sneed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Great read, and very insightful. I appreciate Azie for shedding the truth and telling his story. The writing could have been a bit more organized

[Jason Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching Paid in Full as well as both interviews Azie had done with VladTV, I knew I needed to read this book. This book goes in and out of his life story often explaining how much of what he and others he was involved with influenced certain cultures popular with the youth today. I enjoyed the parts of the book that veered off from his life and gave deep explanations and reflections about that time in his life and what he feels about those decisions and events now. I wish Azie could have provided some photos from this era in his life as I’m sure plenty of readers would have loved to see the flashy cars and clothes that they were sporting at the time. I was disheartened to hear about how Trapped became watered down and that he didn’t want to be apart of the Paid in Full production but that’s just how Hollywood works. My favorite quote from the book was: “Some people suspect I have some hidden stash of money somewhere. Others think I have one hundred cars parked in some mystery garage. I guess they want to breathe life into the drug game and keep the legend alive. Personally, I want to kill the legend of Azie.”

[QueenSASH · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is Understood

This book was okay for what it is. When I first begin reading it, I was like read, turn the page, read. Tedious repetition. It came off a little repetitive with the money, cars, and clothes scene. The narrative of the author's life was like one big rap video. Plus, the story reminded me of one of those urban novels. However, the story did get good when at a huge turning point in the author's life, he starts to do some soul searching. While I've heard stories like his before, it's refreshing that there are brothers like him telling the truth about the game. The game called drugs and how it affects lives.

[Delroy A Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's game

Great book it shows that God works through all of us in mysterious ways, I highly recommend this book to all the young people that are misguided.

[Rod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way better than the movie

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

💰🔊💰🎶🚀📚😢What a
sad world 🌎 we live in. 😞‼️💔🙏🏾
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Shà · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good and he's a survivor. He's very smart and smooth. I'm glad he's around to tell his side of the story

[Deedee Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've seen the movie "Paid In Full" then you pretty much know what the book is about. This read gave a more in depth account of what happened in Harlem btwn friends AZ, Alpo & Rich. Definitely a better depiction than the movie. Good read

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not done with this book, but if you want my honest opinion, EVERY wannabe hustler, gangster, OG, stick up kid or street hood ought to sit down and just read this book and learn something from this. You have this young man who by his early twenties was worth millions, and somehow left the game and became a rapper. Usually you don't hear from these folks because they usually end up dead or in prison, but this brother survived a real gruesome robbery to tell his story, and it NEEDS TO BE READ. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

[Tonya Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very insightful regarding the curse that comes with dealing in the underworld of drugs. Within in this story, the reader is able to see the various transformations of Azie Faison. This is the true story behind the movie, "Paid In Full". Mr. Faison speaks on the lost of friends and loved ones and he tries to steer any reader away from that lifestyle. Mr. Faison speaks of the original script that was supposed to be used for the movie, Paid In Full. It makes me wish that the movie was produced and directed as he intended. I would love to read the original script. Good read.

[Timothy Merriweather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. This book is extremely interesting and it kept me interested the whole time. While reading this book, I learned that no one is perfect and sometimes people do come from bad situations. In the book, the main character, Azie Faison is a drug dealer and he is respected throught the city. He is notorious and he earned his repect in the streets.

[Dee A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this. I always prefer the books over the movie/shows, however in this case I preferred the movie. I think it may be because I watched Paid in Full a few times over the years before reading this book. With that version engraved in my mind it was hard to get into the story that Azie was telling. However, overall a good read.

[Rachelle Mcmillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and Honest

While many glorify the game, Mr. Faison revealed the honest, gritty truth about how harsh street life can be. He offers a cautionary tale to those who are able to discern the true cost of living the fast life.

[Jimmy holla · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of today's youths need to read this book .I'd like to thank azie for this book

[Jermaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game Over is a good story that warns many individuals about being / taking part in the drug trafficking business.Also it shows to perspective of former drug kingpin Azie Faison.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was not like the movie.

[Amyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

official so far. i love his perspective of street life.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at coming up in the game and its impact on young people.