| "Incarcerated Scarfaces" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byRaekwon | ||||
| from the albumOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx... | ||||
| A-side | "Ice Cream" | |||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:42 | |||
| Label | Loud | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | RZA | |||
| Raekwon singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Incarcerated Scarfaces" onYouTube | ||||
"Incarcerated Scarfaces" is a song by American rapperRaekwon from his debut studio albumOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995). It was released as theB-side of his single "Ice Cream". Produced byRZA, it contains samples of "You're Gettin' a Little Too Smart" byThe Detroit Emeralds and "Wang Dang Doodle" byKoko Taylor.
RZA originally produced the beat of "Incarcerated Scarfaces" forGZA's albumLiquid Swords, but Raekwon immediately started writing to it when he went to RZA's house and heard him playing it in the basement. Raekwon wrote three verses in less than 15 minutes and easily created the hook, before RZA was able to finish the beat. In two hours, the song was composed.[1][2][3] The song was written in support of Raekwon's friends in jail. He wanted to include that certain theme inOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx... and one of his friends had just started serving a heavy sentence.[2][3]
In the song, Raekwon details his ascent to prominence as a rapper, with lyrics rich in slang. He includes a shout-out toConnecticut and mentions a brand of champagne tasting like vomit. He addresses discrimination against African Americans, such as being unable to catch a cab, and the troublesome aspects of his life including broken elevators andManhattan police floodingStaten Island streets.[4]
Mr. S ofRapReviews gave a positive review, considering it to have one of the RZA's best beats onOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx... and writing "Raekwon destroys this track, ripping it as hard as he does on the entire album from the first verse: 'Thug related style attract millions / Fans, they understand my plan / Who's the kid up in the green Land? / Me and the RZA connect, blow a fuse / You lose, half ass crews get demolished and bruised.'"[5]
The music video finds Raekwon rapping on rooftops alongside his fellowWu-Tang Clan members and smokingblunts in elevators.[4]
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard Hot 100[6] | 37 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] | 37 |
| USHot Rap Songs (Billboard)[8] | 5 |