The Crack Era

The Rise, Fall and Redemption of Kevin Chiles

By: Kevin Chiles, Richard Ray Esq.

Narrated by: Richard Ray Esq.

The Crack Era: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Kevin Chiles chronicles one of the most treacherous periods in New York City’s history. As told by a man The New York Times once described as, “the biggest drug lord in Harlem since Nicky Barnes”, the book lays bare the harrowing exploits of the narcotics trade Uptown during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s - a world where the lust for freebase cocaine set off a veritable gold rush that turned ghetto boys into young millionaires almost overnight.

“Baseheads” wreaked havoc on the Black community. What’s worse, upper Manhattan became the epicenter of murder and mayhem as drug-related killings pushed the city’s annual death toll well into the thousands. A teenager at the time, Kevin earned a rep as a boss among bosses, and along with a handful of hustlers from his ‘hood, he would directly influence the very music and fashion that ushered in the golden age of hip hop.

The crack epidemic parlayed money, power, and respect for Kev, but it also took his freedom as well as the lives of close friends and family. Now, this candid memoir exposes liars, dispels urban myths, and sheds light on an otherwise dark epoch that has bittersweet implications for many today. Having seen and survived it all, one of America’s most iconic street figures recounts a bygone era of fast cash and high stakes hustling in Harlem.

©2019 Kevin Chiles (P)2020 Kevin Chiles

Great Reviewer

Very informative and interesting! Very well read! I will recommend this particular book! Thought provoking!

STUNNING

I was so impressed from start to finish due to myself being in the lifestyle and surviving it’s up and downs. Great job KC. 💪🏽💯🖤🥂

Did not want it to end

ill give it -A I read the book and just wanted to see the different feel that I got from listening to it the audible was cool but the read was better

Great story !!!

Kevin Chiles is a true person for being loyal and smart.
I learned some real facts in this book.

Editing and performance fall short

Despite poor editing over a so so narration, I still recommend audiobook, story well worth it.