Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) newspapers.

1922

(con. 1918–19) S.V. Benét Beginning of Wisdom 290: All the papes said he kicked out with the heart-disease.

2. (orig. US black) money [paper n. (1)].

1990		Brand Nubian ‘Feels So Good’ 🎵 I’m gettin papes, but stunts gets the vapes.
1996		Nas ‘If I Ruled the World’ 🎵 on It Was Written [album] You’d love to hear the story how the thugs live in worry / Duck down in car seats, heat’s mandatory / Runnin from Jake, gettin chased, hunger for papes.
2002		‘Touré’ Portable Promised Land (ms.) 154: We Words (My Favorite Things) [...] Cheese. Bank. Paper. Papes. Scrilla.