Entertainment
Al Pacino says hip-hop turned “Scarface” into a cultural milestone despite its rocky beginnings
Oscar-winner Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana in “Scarface” left an indelible mark on the film industry, however the 1983 film’s journey from critical skepticism to cult classic got here thanks largely to an unlikely audience: the hip-hop community.
While promoting his recent book “Sonny Boy,” the Manhattan native appeared on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast and talked about how the film is uniquely relevant to rap culture.
Whether it’s basic mentions or snippets of his own dialogue from a sampled film, “Scarface” is commonly mentioned and referenced in rap and hip-hop lyrics.
At the time of its release, “Scarface” was not universally received by critics or Hollywood pundits.
During the interview he common“At the premiere, Martin Scorsese turned around halfway through the movie and said, ‘You guys are great, but be prepared, because Hollywood is going to hate this.'”
“He told me this, but he didn’t know me from Adam,” Pacino continued. “And I said, ‘Why?’ He said, “Because it’s about them.”
He even recalled that before the premiere of “Scarface” he lost interest in acting. But the fan response said otherwise.
“The audience loved it. It took a while,” Pacino admitted.
The film’s influence began to realize on the streets relatively than within the studios. With the emergence of hip-hop within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, artists and fans alike discovered a deep connection to the rags-to-riches story of Tony Montana, Pacino’s character. It also showed the ability of a drug dealer and kingpin, which at one point became a major theme in rap music.
“Hip-hop just nailed it. They understood it,” he remarked to the host. “Rappers embraced it. And the subsequent thing you already know, VHS comes out and more people watch it.
Scarface (1983)
Directed by Brian De Palma pic.twitter.com/qxfF86nCYv— Joseph Mallozzi 🏴☠️ (@BaronDestructo) October 19, 2024
Rappers similar to JAY-Z, Raekwon, Nas, The Lox and The Notorious BIG have referenced the film, and groups similar to Mobb Deep have sampled its music. In 2003, Def Jam released a compilation titled “Music Inspired by Scarface”, which featured other artists similar to Cam’ron, NWA, Joe Budden, and even rap pioneer Melle Mel.
Pacino identified how hard it is just not to see the influence, saying, “These rappers, we’re on records. And then it just carried on and on.
The film’s stark portrayal of Cuban immigrant Montana’s rise to power parallels the experiences of many hip-hop artists who saw themselves in its tumult.
Brooklyn’s Microphone Jay-Z examined the film’s influence in his song “Ignorant S—,” rapping, “The movie Scarface did more for me than the rapper Scarface,” referring to the Texas rapper who earned the name, though the content of his music largely didn’t reflects the character of the film.
According to Vogue, Brad Jordan initially gave the true name of the music artist Hov fired rap profession under the name DJ Akshen, but later modified it, feeling a strong bond with Tony Montana, who was “Scarface” within the film.
The acting in Scarface is absolutely good. It is smart that this movie has been in my top five since childhood.
— R. (@makeit_reyn) October 24, 2024
In 1989, Jordan released the 12-inch single “Scarface/Another Head Put to Rest,” marking his first skilled use of the name on wax. This opened the best way for him to sign a contract with Rap-A-Lot Records and join the cult Geto Boys. Since then, no other emcee has even come near questioning his name.
“I took the name Scarface because that was who I was,” he said he said within the Def Jam documentary accompanying the compilation.
Latin rapper Fat Joe called Tony Montana “the greatest ghetto superhero.”
“His attitude basically went from nothing to something,” Jermaine Dupri said. “Before we started making records, we weren’t sitting on Bentleys. We sat on the porches.”
Snoop added: “He got here from nothing. We saw him come from nothing and need to fight to get citizenship where he needed to rush.
In the identical documentary, Sean “Diddy” Combs said during an interview that he had watched “63 times” a film that depicted among the same racketeering, drug dealing and other crimes which have Combs currently held in prison while he awaits to trial for allegedly committing a crime.
“We were just happy that another cat made it,” Diddy said. “No matter how he got it.”
For Pacino, seeing “Scarface” transcend its original reception and turn out to be a symbol of ambition and resilience was incredibly rewarding.
Forty years later, the film continues to be eagerly watched by artists young and old.
Atlanta rapper Future recorded a song with Drake from once they were friends called “Tony Montana,” which introduced the film to the subsequent generation of rap fans. Future performed the identical song at an NFL game in 2012.
When Future performed “Tony Montana” at a 49ers game 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/Iy1a5XoZVy
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 16, 2022
Younger artists similar to Lil Baby and Da Baby have used “Scarface” as storyboards for his or her music video “Child” in 2019.
Thanks to its reception by the hip-hop community, the film stays a special cultural touchstone for future generations searching for to grasp the Eighties drug scene and the history of Latino immigrant mob life.
Entertainment
Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album ‘GNX’; group chats are going crazy
There are few things more exciting than receiving an infinite barrage of text messages at the very same time in numerous group chats. This normally implies that something vital has happened in popular culture. Well, the exact same thing happened about noon on November 22, within the yr of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, higher often called Kendrick Lamar, released the album “GNX”, nod towards Buick Grand National Regal GNXa rare muscle automobile released in 1987 – which also happens to be the yr Kendrick was born.
“GNX” is coming to the tip of what has been a banner yr for Kendrick Lamar. From epic diss records geared toward Drake, to creating the largest song of his profession (and a Drake diss track) on “Not Like Us”, to the “Pop Out” concert streaming live to tell the tale Amazon Prime, Kendrick won this yr. He even received seven Grammy nominations, mostly for “Not Like Us.” And this victory will proceed in the brand new yr. In September, it was announced that Kendrick would stay Super Bowl 2025 headliner will happen in New Orleans. This announcement sparked some controversy and comments from several New Orleans legends similar to Juvenile and most notably Lil Wayne, who felt disrespected; Kendrick immediately refers to this topic within the opening song of the album (all stylized in lower case), “wacced out murals”.
The thing is, Kendrick didn’t sleep for many of 2024. And then, while the remaining of us were minding our own business, listening to other albums that had just dropped, like Ice Cube’s “Man Down,” I began receiving text after text… and I knew that would only mean that something vital happened.
At this point in my life (and possibly even yours), Kendrick Lamar releases are a drop-everything-and-listen event. I immediately went to the streaming service, launched “GNX” and pressed “Play”.
I need to admit that the primary time I heard the album I used to be a bit confused. Kendrick has probably never been more popular or famous; if there was ever a time to drag a Kanye West and release his own version of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” – an album largely produced as Kanye’s best and most representative of Kanye’s greatness – now could be the time. “GNX” has a far more modern West Coast vibe and is certainly more for his die-hard fans than anyone who just began gaining attention due to his beef with Drake. Maybe that was the purpose; possibly not.
Either way, I can imagine that folks whose favorite lines are “OV-Ho” won’t be immediately thrilled. I wasn’t immediately blown away (though very amused by how sensitive Kendrick is to what people say about him on social media, well, everyone), but as is all the time the case with Kendrick albums, repeated listens are likely to correct any immediate monotony that I even have about his projects. For example, now that I’ve listened to it just a few times, I can not wait to listen to black college bands playing “tv off” style, which seems like a cousin of “Not Like Us.” The Shoot, Bayou Classic, which also takes place yearly in New Orleans on Thanksgiving Day, stands out as the first time we hear a band playing “TV off.”
Since the album didn’t come out long enough to be reviewed, group chats and social media were abuzz with immediate reactions. This is the a part of music releases I really like, where everyone seems to be listening to the identical thing, offering premature takes that will not even delay the following day. I’m not different; I’m sure I’ll say something about this album that can sound silly by Monday. Shoot, I can have already done it. But that is what happens when great artists release music. We spend time with others after which we refer to them, analyze them, criticize them, praise them, destroy them and let all our prejudices fly free. Love it.
It’s value noting that certainly one of Drake’s diss tracks that did not appear during last summer’s fracas was titled “The Heart Part 6,” and was an apparent try to usurp Kendrick’s pre-album practice of removing a non-album song titled “The Heart.” Well, Kendrick has a song on his recent album called, you guessed it, “The Heart, Pt. 6,” which I feel will probably be released soon Drake. Good job, Kenny.
Argue.
Entertainment
New music this week: Tyla, Lola Brooke, Coco Jones and more – Essence
Happy Friday, people! Whether you are drinking a warm beverage or preparing for a fun-filled weekend, this week’s latest music releases set the tone. From sensual R&B melodies to powerful hip-hop anthems, these songs have something for everybody.
Coco Jones leads the pack along with her seasonal album, and Tyla offers a heartfelt change of tone with “Tears.” Miguel’s smooth “Always Time” and Jorja Smith’s tender “Stay Another Day” showcase R&B at its finest, while Lola Brooke and Killer Mike turn up the warmth on “Go To Yo Head” and “Warryn’s Groove,” respectively. Today’s list also includes music from Eric Bellinger, Coi Leray, Blxst and more.
Below you possibly can read our list of latest products.
Entertainment
Serena Williams is cutting short divorce talks for a second time after the couple reunited and put months of rumors to rest
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian are still doing well despite months of unconfirmed divorce rumors.
On November 17, Williams and the Reddit co-founder took a walk down memory lane and tested one another by asking questions on themselves and their family in a recent promotional ad. The couple ate a few of their favorite meals and meanwhile checked their glucose levels using Hello Lingo, a glucose monitoring device.
Nearly five minutes into the recording, Williams tested her husband’s memory by asking, “Who said I love you first?”
Ohanian, who shares two daughters, Olimpia and Adira, with the tennis legend, responds quickly by saying, “Mmm,” before writing his answer on the board.
“It’s like ‘The Newlywed Game,'” Williams said, writing down her answer, referring to the mid-Nineteen Sixties show “The Newlywed Game,” which tested couples who had been married for lower than two years to see if how much they learn about their relationship. amplifier.
Both Williams and Ohanian turn the board over to reveal their answers and, quite shockingly, they received two different answers. Ohanian wrote that Williams said it first, but Williams claims it was Ohanian.
“Come now. Are you going to lie about this? he declared to Williams, who responded with a laugh: “I said I would be honest.”
“That’s not an honest answer,” Ohanian continued. “I still keep in mind that phone call. Oh, you realize I felt the same, but you certainly said it first.
Williams joked: “My glucose levels were high. I ate some ice cream, my glucose level was too high. Then I tell this guy and I feel like saying things I would not normally say. The moment ended with Williams replaying how she told Ohanian those three special words.
Of course, there was no shortage of reactions from fans who showed their love for the couple and how well they interact of their normal element.
One YouTube commenter he wrote“It’s great to see Serena and Alexis in this normal environment, they are so lovely and have great charisma. I love them even more now and I feel great chemistry between them.”
Someone else said: “I liked this part. They seem to really like each other.”
However, as rumors swirled about problems of their marriage, one fan was confused by the video shared on Instagram.
“I thought I read that they got divorced?” he wrote one person in Williams’ comment section.
Someone else also addressed the rumors, writing: “Where are the haters who said divorce was imminent? Sometimes people will be crazy. Seriously, how are you going to even start assuming things like that about people you have never met?
We got married here 7 years ago. Now we will take these two out for donuts. Happy anniversary 🎉 Thank you for giving me two of the best people we’ve got ever met. You are a tremendous mom. I’m very glad to have met you @serenawilliams @olympiaohanian @adiraohanian pic.twitter.com/5ntPujrYDh
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) November 17, 2024
This summer, fans began speculating that Williams and her seven-year marriage to Ohanian were in trouble after they noticed she hadn’t posted from him on her social media pages in some time.
Moreover, Ohanian was noticeably absent from the June premiere of the documentary “In the Arena: Serena Williams” and was also absent from her side at the Met Gala in May.
But they got back together this summer after they attended the Paris Olympics with their daughter Olympia in July.
Among the many viral moments spent with the Ohanian family, she organizes: umbrella for his wife and the European commentator – who didn’t realize he was her husband – and called Ohanian Serena’s “umbrella holder”.
The tech guru reacted to the moment hilariously by snapping a photo of himself holding an umbrella over himself and his daughter.
Ohanian joked, “I am also a personal Olympia umbrella owner. Sidebar: You all set the bar too low for me and celebrity daddies only get flowers for *admitting* they have kids.”
The proud dad is probably also Adira’s personal umbrella holder.
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