MovieChat Forums > Scarface (1983) Discussion > Why is Tony such an icon among rappers a...

Why is Tony such an icon among rappers and thugs?

posted 8 years ago by josh66613
34 replies | jump to latest

Now, don't misunderstand me. I know he came from Cuba and grew up dirt poor, so wanting a better life was top priority by any means necessary. I get that part. I grew up less fortunate than others. Tony may have made millions, but he was brutally murdered in the end. That would be more than enough reason to ask myself "Is having money and power really worth my life?" There's only one answer to that question in my opinion...hell no.

[–] MarkAntney 8 years ago

Ahhh but people don't really remember your Ending/Death. They remember your Life/Legacy (before your death).

Example(s) that aren't Montana but are revered to this day: Elvis, Hendrix, 2PAC, Joplin, Jim Morrison, Marvin Gaye, James Dean, Jayne Mansfield, and Marilyn Monroe.

[–] chilone 8 years ago

You may not have noticed this but a LOT of "hip hop" culture glorifies, advocates and encourages amoral and animalistic behavior.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] MarkAntney 8 years ago

So does College Frats, Rock-n-Roll, much of our youth, The GodFather Saga, Heavy Metal,...

"a LOT of "hip hop" culture glorifies, advocates and encourages amoral and animalistic behavior."

[–] chilone 8 years ago

Yeah.... A little different. Not too many music genera advocate the degree of violence (killing police, gangs, drug use, etc.) and debasement of women as "hip hop".

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] MarkAntney 8 years ago

Apparently you missed the Godfather?

Without GFather, which ushered in copycat films,...you don't have Rap Glorifying it even more.

GFather (showed)was about you: Drugs, Drug Sales, illegal gambling, prostitution, Bribes/Killing Cops/rivals, GANGs, demeaning and beating women, oh and Family..and it was and is revered.

They ("The Family") just weren't minorities or Rhymed about it.

The GodFather Franchise Ironically,..is the GodFather of Rap:):)

[–] chilone 8 years ago

A movie or two isn't the same as an entire musical genera.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] krypton_son 8 years ago

A movie or two isn't the same as an entire musical genera.

Exactly. Not to mention that those are done with intelligence and tact, 90% of hip hop is just some idiot talking about how much of a thug he is.

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dies ist meine unterschrift

[–] MarkAntney 8 years ago

1. It's more than a movie or two, with you being on IMDB; I'd think you'd know the many, many, many others, including ScarFace?

2. It actually is ENOUGH movies over a period of time to be considered a "Genre"?
Unless you have another definition of "Genre"? Psst, they actually call them "Gangster Movies".

3. But don't let the facts refute an otherwise Brilliant Observation.

"A movie or two isn't the same as an entire musical genera"

[–] chilone 8 years ago

Do you honestly think "Gangster Movies" actively advocate and encourage violence and the other things I listed? If so, your observation is nowhere near brilliant.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] Goliard (1421) 4 years ago

Ehhh. . .why not. Sheltered in place long enough to be bored enough to respond to an absurd, 4-year-old post:

You've made the (common, foolish) mistake of categorizing an entire genre by what You perceive. Probably because all you hear is what's easily accessible (radio, videos, etc.) The genre is HUGE. For every pop schlock radio-saturated "gangsta" rapper you can name, I can name *multiple* more talented artists who are completely antithetical.

TL/DR: Your statement is absurd. Simpler to say you don't know much about Hip-Hop, rather than babbling about what it personifies.

No excuse, really. You're on the internet: use it. Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, J-Live, Hieroglyphics Crew, Ras Kass, Chill Rob G, Zion I, Lifesavas, Camp Lo, GZA, Blueprint, Rec League, Pharoahe Monch, etc, etc, etc. . .

Yer welcome.

[–] WuchakTheBitch (100) 4 years ago

Yeah.... A little different. Not too many music genera advocate the degree of violence (killing police, gangs, drug use, etc.) and debasement of women as "hip hop".

Lol, most rock and roll songs sing about those same things. Get your head out of your ass

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kramsey20 8 years ago

Because Rappers who idolize Tony Montana are rappers who never saw the last 1/3 of the movie.

[–] The_Ultimate_Hippo 8 years ago

Because they aren't smart enough to know that Tony is meant to be despised.

"I really wish Gia and Claire had became Tanner" - Honeybeefine

[–] johnmiller (3940) 6 years ago

Because he's like them: He loves violence, drugs, killing and hates women. Perfect match.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

IMHO there are two basic groups of people who idolize Tony Montana.

1) People who have no hope of a "normal" life, who are convinced that no matter what their lives are going to be nasty, brutish, and short, and that the absolute best thing that can happen to them is to get rich and experience life on top of the heap, for however long it lasts. So what if that means they die young and despised, they expect to die young and despised anyway!

2) And then there are those who think that acting like someone who's going to life fast, die young, and live a bullet-riddled corpse makes them cool.

I suspect that group #2 is the larger.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Tony's life serves as a fictional model of the black gangster "Thug Life" - beginning dirt poor and downtrodden, then rising to riches and glory through illegal means.
It's not so simple and stereotypical as hero worship in regards to rap, but rather it's the story which corresponds to the popular rap theme of an outlaw or rebel gaining power and bling. Whatever this is celebrated or intended as critique or irony depends on the rapper in question.
The story also reflects the seamy side of capitalism. Oliver Stone in writing the film was critiquing capitalism and the American Dream.

[–] Martoto (5049) 6 years ago

Because it's associated with money, the "american dream" and shows a realistic way of acquiring those things.

[–] ecarle (14979) 6 years ago

MAJOR SPOILERS

Tony demonstrates a certain fearlessness early on -- his bravery in the face of the chainsaw murder of his friend and his imminent demise from that same chainsaw -- BRAVE (even as you can see the fear in his eyes.) Then he executes Chainsaw Man on the street in public. JUSTICE.

He maintains a certain code throughout the film -- the Bolivian kingpin says "I like you Tony, there is no lying in you."

He's got a couple of credos that make good sense:

"Get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women" and

"All I have is my word and my balls."

And near the very end, Tony's unwillingness to kill a mother and her children brings Bolivia down on him -- and he goes out in a blaze of glory.

Evidently hip-hoppers and gangstas found all that...admirable.

Of course, he also betrays Lopez, sets his sights on his woman, and goads the older man into a failed hit(that COULD have killed Tony, but didn't), and he falls to greedy pieces at the end, and he's got that weird thing for his sister, and he kills his best friend...but...

Nobody's Perfect.