Russell Crowe stars in Ridley Scott’s new film, “American Gangster.”
“Scarface” is one of the most popular American movies of all time, thanks largely to a powerful league of gangsters. Although the gangster status of some rappers is questionable, the hip-hop community has kept Al Pacino’s coke snorting, gun toting image alive through 2007. Ask a rapper what his or her favorite movie is and “Scarface” will at least be in the top ten, if the movie title is not on the shirt of who you’re asking.
Why? Like the image hip-hop can give off, “Scarface” is reality enhanced by formalist filmmaking and dramatic writing. The images in “Scarface” are like good rap lyrics — intense, memorable, sometimes depicting violence and drugs, always depicting confidence.
No surprise that a movie like “American Gangster” would attract a hip-hop crew. RZA, Common, Fab 5 Freddy, and T.I., whose real life rap sheet is an eerie reflection of the movie’s story, all make appearances here, with soul singer Anthony Hamilton bringing his vocal prowess to the show. They join Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and the acclaimed Chiwetel Ejiofor in Ridley Scott’s new film.
Washington’s role, Frank Lucas, embodies that American Dream in mainstream hip-hop. He goes from the driver of a powerful boss to the powerful boss, running an inner-city drug trade.
A crime story needs two sides, and Crowe leads the story’s law enforcement perspective. He plays a street-smart cop named Ritchie Roberts who can sense the drug world changing and digs into the trade’s core leadership system.
Acting isn’t the only thing rappers are inspired to do with this project. Veteran artist Jay-Z, who retired (but not really), recorded a soundtrack for the film that isn’t even associated with the film (the actual soundtrack features Hamilton plus Public Enemy, Sam and Dave, and Bobby Womack). Capturing the Frank Lucas mentality in a full rap album speaks great lengths for the way “Scarface” shot a bullet into pop culture.
“Gangster” finally comes out Nov. 2, following a development hell of alternating directors and actors.
