Although the initial critical reception to the 1983 movie "Scarface" was pretty mixed, with plenty of harsh reviews, it has since gone on to not only become a rapper favorite, but cement itself as a classic. Although it was panned so hard by critics, it turned out to be a box office smash.
Over the years the tale of Cuban immigrant Tony Montana, who went from dishwasher to small-time drug runner to Miami's cocaine kingpin, would inspire generations to come, and once hip hop became ingrained in popular culture the two became a match made in heaven. With street savvy tales of rags to riches and a "Sky's the limit" attitude, rappers quickly came to idolize Tony Montana in their lyrics, videos and in the case of rapper Scarface, even their names. With the recent announcement that their would be a remake of the Brian De Palma directed cult classic it is only fitting to look back at some of the top references, shout outs and name checks offered by various MCs from different eras.
Future - "Tony Montana"
Future might hail from the ATL, but in the Drake-assisted hit, the "Same Damn Time" rapper adopts the narrative of the world's most famous big screen gangsta.
"I take over the streets, fresh off the banana boat
I come straight from the east where n****s split your cantaloupe
You tell me what you want of me I’m coming with a gang of dope
My cigar full of loud I’m laced up to the f***ing fo’"
Lil Wayne - "Scarface"
Like Tony Montana, Lil Wayne came from nothing and built himself a empire. On the appropriately titled "Scarface" Tunechi makes reference to becoming so infamous that people know you more as a symbol to be feared and respected than they do your name.
On tha forealla muh n***a jus call me SCARFACE
Nobody know my name, they only know my face
On tha forealla muh n***a jus call me SCARFACE
Nobody know my name, they only know my face
On tha forealla muh n***a jus call me SCARFACE
Nas - "The World Is Yours"
On his critically acclaimed debut album Illmatic, Nas utilized the ubiquitous phrase that appeared on the screen just before the credits rolled at the end of the movie, "The World Is Yours." for his first single. The Pete Rock produced track was the story of some of the Queensbridge rhymers exploits from his younger days. He tied the verses together with one of hip hop's most famous hooks that summed up the general theme of the film, and even gave a nod to the famous hot tub scene in the song's video.
"Whose World is this? It's yours. It's mine, it's mine, it's mine. Whose world is this? The world is yours. The world is Yours, the world is yours."
2 Chainz - "Money Machine"
In one of the more famous scenes from "Scarface", Tony is forced to get a money machine to count all of his cash. (#RichPeopleProblems). With such a successful run in the rap game so far, 2 Chainz raps about facing a similar dilemma of making money faster than you can spend it.
"I told them, get on my level
Bitch, you could get on this shovel
Coke prices high, than which was if a Tony Montana
I just got me a bezel
My slippers is clean
All I wear True Religion
I paid a grip for them jeans
I got a lust for the cream
I need a money machine
I need a money machine
I need a money machine
I see you doing your thing, but it ain't nothing to me"
La Coka Nostra - "F**k Tony Montana"
It wasn't all love for the one they call Scarface. New England rhymers La Coka Nostra took aim at the Cuban gangster as well as another Al Pacino character, Carlito from "Carlito's Way" in one hardcore song. This is one group that Tony Montana apparently was not gangster enough for.
"Fuck Tony Montana, we kill kids, if he did he'd still be alive
Al Pacino fucked up twice
I'm a vet but Benny Blonco ain't taking my life
I might end up on the beach with my seed in my wife"
Rich Homie Quan featuring Young Thug - "Get TF Out My Face"
It's been a big year for Rich Homie Quan, he deserves a celebration on the water. The "Some Type of Way" rapper gives an ironic shout out to Tony Montana's travel arrangements to the US on this Young Thug-assisted hit song. If you had to choose Quan's is the more appealing option.
"I'm the real Tony Montana I got fifty naked bitches on a banana boat
your jewelry sunny, young thugger need locs
My water heavy, I need me a float"
Tupac featuring Snoop Dogg - "Gangsta Party" (video)
In 1995 2Pac took over hip hop when he dropped All Eyez On Me, a double album chock full of hit singles that would dominate the charts. One of those singles was the Snoop Dogg-assisted "Gangsta Party." Pac kicked the video off by paying homage to one of Scarface's most prominent scenes, while at the same time taking a well-planned shot at his new found foes Notorious B.I.G. and P. Diddy. The scene is a take on the part in the film when Tony Montana overtakes his former boss. Pac took out his adversaries in a scene that would become all too real as both rappers were later gunned down.
Chief Keef
Chief Keef - "Me"
If there's anything about Tony Montana that embodied the mentality of corporate America it was his ruthless nature and ability to never grow attached to anything or anyone. Chief Keef exemplifies these qualities in his raps. In the song "Me" Keef relates to the drug kingpin's everyday paranoia.
"Like Tony Montana, pull up just to you
But it’s damn I’m Sosa, the last time I leave
I know n****s plot, I got nutted on me, but this hella on me
I got some n****s in that cut ready to blow me already
And damn you were f***in' bout yo family homie
B***h I’m blown all up but the camera’s on me"
Pusha T - "Tony Montana" (Freestyle)
Ever since Pusha T came into the game as a member of Clipse, the Virginia MC has made no secret of his drug dealing past. "King Push" borrowed the beat from Future's "Tony Montana" to detail his own early activities, while shouting out his fictitious icon.
"Started with 28 grams and a hammer
B***h look at me now, Tony Montana
Gave me 2 options, hell or the slammer
They forgot the third, I’m on top, antenna
Winter time, bags at the mall, Bad Santa"
Common featuring Nas - "Ghetto Dreams"
In addition to bags of cash and an unrelenting sense of fearlessness, Tony Montana also got the girl. Though she wound up leaving him in the end, Elvira Hancock (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) was one of the more memorable onscreen beauties. In "Ghetto Dreams" Common pays tribute to the girl that had Tony's back at least for a little while.
"I don't even say shit, she can feel it
Eye talk's the realest, toenails acrylic
Ass is a weapon and it's hard to conceal it
Baby in one arm, the other is a skillet
Fried Chicken, macaroni, raised on the back of Stony
Ghetto Prince, she's my Apollonia
Like chick that had the back of Tony Montana"