Money, Power, Respect

The 1983 film influenced hip hop to its core.

Money, Power, Respect: 10 Dope Examples of Hip Hop's "Scarface" Obsession\r - The iconic Brian De Palma–directed 1983 film Scarface is hitting Blu-ray Sept. 6 and last night, on August 23, there was a Hollywood soiree to celebrate the moment and the movie's legacy. The event featured a performance by ATL rapper–actor Ludacris. But this is far from the first time that hip hop and Scarface have crossed paths. The over-the-top opulence, rags-to-riches plot line and ruthless "us against them" mindset featured in the film have influenced hip hop to its core, and rappers have made no secret of that. Click on to see 10 examples of hip hop being influenced by Scarface.\r\r(Photo: Universal Pictures)

1 / 11

Money, Power, Respect: 10 Dope Examples of Hip Hop's "Scarface" Obsession\r - The iconic Brian De Palma–directed 1983 film Scarface is hitting Blu-ray Sept. 6 and last night, on August 23, there was a Hollywood soiree to celebrate the moment and the movie's legacy. The event featured a performance by ATL rapper–actor Ludacris. But this is far from the first time that hip hop and Scarface have crossed paths. The over-the-top opulence, rags-to-riches plot line and ruthless "us against them" mindset featured in the film have influenced hip hop to its core, and rappers have made no secret of that. Click on to see 10 examples of hip hop being influenced by Scarface.\r\r(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Scarface the Rapper\r - What better way to set this list off than with the legendary MC who actually named himself after the movie? Scarface, the former frontman of Houston gangsta rap pioneers The Geto Boys, took it even further on 2003's Balls and My Word, which is named after a quote from lead character, Tony Montana, and whose cover is inspired by the film's iconic artwork. \r\r(Photo: Rap-a-Lot Records)

2 / 11

Scarface the Rapper\r - What better way to set this list off than with the legendary MC who actually named himself after the movie? Scarface, the former frontman of Houston gangsta rap pioneers The Geto Boys, took it even further on 2003's Balls and My Word, which is named after a quote from lead character, Tony Montana, and whose cover is inspired by the film's iconic artwork. \r\r(Photo: Rap-a-Lot Records)

Mobb Deep feat. Nas, "It's Mine" - This 1999 hit collabo between Queensbridge's finest samples the film's title theme liberally. The video depicts the rappers living a full-on Scarface lifestyle, complete with huge pools, massive beachfront mansions, boats and bikini-clad beauties. Mobb Deep also sampled the movie's score on 1996's "G.O.D. Part III."\r\r(Photo: Infamous Records)

3 / 11

Mobb Deep feat. Nas, "It's Mine" - This 1999 hit collabo between Queensbridge's finest samples the film's title theme liberally. The video depicts the rappers living a full-on Scarface lifestyle, complete with huge pools, massive beachfront mansions, boats and bikini-clad beauties. Mobb Deep also sampled the movie's score on 1996's "G.O.D. Part III."\r\r(Photo: Infamous Records)

"Verbal Intercourse," Raekwon feat. Nas and Ghostface Killah - Rae and Nas's no-decision on Mobb's "Eye for an Eye" required a rematch, but this time Esco was left holding all the marbles. It was damn near impossible to enter the 36th chamber and outshine Wu at their prime, but Nas did just that with his tale of women smuggling weed into Rikers Island with "their mind on the pretty things in life."(Photo: Courtesy Loud/RCA Records)

4 / 11

Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...\r - The Chef's timeless solo debut sampled several vocal snippets from the film (including the classic "I told you a long time ago ...") and even featured a song titled "Incarcerated Scarfaces."\r\r(Photo: Loud/RCA/BMG Records)

Vibe's 50 Cent Cover \r - Vibe's 2005 "Hollywood Issue" featured this slick tribute to Scarface, starring 50 Cent as Tony Montana.\r\r(Photo: VIBE Magazine)

5 / 11

Vibe's 50 Cent Cover \r - Vibe's 2005 "Hollywood Issue" featured this slick tribute to Scarface, starring 50 Cent as Tony Montana.\r\r(Photo: VIBE Magazine)

ADVERTISEMENT
Nas, Illmatic - The April 19 release date of Nas’s Illmatic is a landmark day in the history of American music. The album's introspective storyline detailing life in the mean, grimey streets of Queensbridge, New York, serves not only as the foundation of his living legend status, but also as a hip hop blueprint.With the assistance of jazz- and soul-influenced producers such as Large Professor, Pete Rock and DJ Premier, Nas's impact on society as a vivid storyteller with a profound take on linguistics was imprinted in every track from "It Ain't Hard to Tell" to "The World Is Yours." And it influenced the works of Jay Z, Common, Noreaga and Ghostface Killah, emboldening them to modify their delivery, opting for a slowed down, enunciated flow driven by a relaxed, poetic tongue.(Photo: Columbia Records)

6 / 11

Nas, "The World Is Yours"\r - In Scarface, Tony Montana has a massive statue in his mansion that reads "The World Is Yours." Nas later jacked the slogan for the title of his classic Pete Rock–produced track, a soulful standout from his flawless Illmatic debut.\r\r(Photo: Columbia Records)

(Photo: Roc-a-Fella Records)

7 / 11

Jay-Z, "Say Hello"\r - This dusty cut from Jay-Z's 2007 American Gangster concept album borrows one of Tony Montana's most infamous tirades for its title and hook.\r\r(Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)

Photo By Photo: Roc-a-Fella Records/ Roc-a-Fella Records

The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death - Endlessly quoted, interpolated and sampled by rappers to this day, this chart-topping 1997 double album, issued days after Biggie's murder, cemented him as arguably the greatest of all time.  (Photo: Courtesy Bad Boy Records)

8 / 11

The Notorious B.I.G., "10 Crack Commandments"\r - This DJ Premier–produced heater from Biggie’s sophomore opus breaks down the rules to the drug game. One of Biggie’s lyrical commandments, “Don’t get high off your own supply,” was lifted word-for-word from Scarface.\r\r(Photo: Bad Boy Records)

Rick Ross (@rickyrozay) - This week, Rick Ross announced his investment in Wingstop, with a little advice for you, too.TWEET: "Invest"(Photo: Michael Underwood/PictureGroup)

9 / 11

Rick Ross, "Push It"\r - The second single from Rick Ross' debut album, Port of Miami, samples the score to Scarface, and its accompanying video borrows liberally from the movie's plot and imagery.\r\r(Photo: Michael Underwood/PictureGroup)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/08/Music-08.16-08.31/082411-music-scarface-influence-french-montana.jpg

10 / 11

French Montana - This up-and-coming Bronx MC lifted the last half of his stage name from Scarface's lead character, Tony Montana.(Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup)

Jay Z – Reasonable Doubt (1996) - We all know that Reasonable Doubt was the debut album of Jigga but it's also the first album cover Mannion shot, too. Taking an initial gamble with each other, the photographic memories continued with In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, Vol. 3... Life and Times of Shawn Carter, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, The Blueprint and The Black Album.(Photo: Roc A Fella Records)

11 / 11

Jay-Z, Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z's landmark debut album, Reasonable Doubt, another mid-'90s tome of Scarface-type street narratives, makes several references to the film throughout. On "Bring It On," Jay says he "had to turn away when Tony shot Manolo," referring to one of the film's most dramatic moments. And on "Coming of Age," Hov protégé Memphis Bleek quotes Montana when he raps, "All I got is my word and my nuts and I don't break 'em for nobody."(Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)