American Gangster

Steve Spence

Updated: 08 November 2016

2012-2024

Jay Z and American Gangster

American Gangster (Ridley Scott, 2007) differs in important ways from the gangster films we have examined so far, including both Blaxploitation films like Black Caesar as well as the hood films of the 1990s. These differences clearly helped the film to resonate strongly with rapper Jay Z.

Like the film, Jay Z's music represents an evolution of gangster rap from the earlier examples of NWA, Tupac Shakur, and Biggie Smalls. Album covers spanning 20 years document his efforts to present himself as a combination C.E.O. and gangster kingpin.

Brand Management by Shawn Carter

Shawn Carter has always seen his pen name, "Jay Z," as a brand name to be cultivated and mobilized in various markets, including shoes and apparel, record producing, and streaming music services as well as rapping.

This vision of the rapper as media mogul resonates with American Gangster's portrait of Frank Lucas as the consummate businessman and brand manager.

The quote above is from Jay Z's contribution to "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)" (Kanye West, 2005).

Black Caesar vs. American Gangster

Mothers and Sons

Mothers play central parts in both stories, and they serve in both as a voice of reason and morality. In both stories, the sons give their mothers ostentatious, upscale new homes. But while Momma Gibbs (Minnie Gentry) rejects both the gift and Tommy's life of crime, Mama Lucas (Ruby Dee) initially accepts both, confronting Frank only when his actions pose a threat to the rest of her children.

Ruby Dee earned an Oscar nomination for the role.