"Tony Montana" is a song by American rapper Future, released on April 16, 2011 as the lead single from his debut studio album Pluto (2012).[1] Written by Future and A1 Recordings label boss Rocko, the song was produced by Will-A-Fool and finds Future comparing himself to the namesake character from the 1983 film Scarface. An official remix of the song featuring Canadian rapper Drake was released on July 6, 2011.[2]
| "Tony Montana" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Future | ||||
| from the album Pluto | ||||
| Released | April 16, 2011 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:05 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Will-A-Fool | |||
| Future singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Tony Montana" on YouTube | ||||
"Tony Montana" is credited for pioneering the microgenre known as mumble rap.[3]
Background
editRegarding the song's vocal tone and sound, Future stated in an interview with The Boombox:
It was the energy of the track and what I was going through at the time. It's an aggressive song so that's why I got an aggressive tone. And then just feeding off that "Racks" energy and wanting to come back with another smash hit. That's what really influenced the record. I was trying to be creative and reinvent myself all over again. I wanted to mention something white so I got the "Tony Montana" idea and used it as a metaphor. Nobody had did a song called "Tony Montana."[4]
In an interview with Peter Rosenberg for Complex, Future described the night he recorded the track: "I remember being so fuckin' high on this song, I couldn't even open my mouth. When I listened back to it the next day, I was like man, what the fuck is this? But I loved it. Like, that shit sound raw, though."
Remixes
editThe official remix of the song features Canadian rapper Drake and was released on July 6, 2011. According to Future, ideas for the collaboration began when he was contacted by Drake while working in the studio and complimented for his mixtapes and styles of rapping. Lil Wayne wanted to collaborate on the remix as well for his mixtape, but Future worked with Drake instead to avoid being overshadowed.[5]
The song has also been remixed by several other rappers, including Meek Mill,[6] French Montana,[7] Tyga, Pusha T and Lil B.
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Jessy Terrero and was released on October 27, 2011. In it, Future is called by a cartel to track down the culprit in the robbery of a shipment of drugs and travels from his hometown of Atlanta to Santo Domingo for the job.[4][8] He interacts with the locals, rides on a bike through the "grimy streets," and "cozies up to some Latina hotties."[8]
Drake does not appear in the video. In an interview with MTV, Future expressed disappointment with Drake's decision to skip the video shoot, which drove him to reconsider his decision to collaborate with Drake on the remix.[9]
Critical reception
editCritical response to the song was generally mixed; some praised the songs catchiness and production, while others criticized its repetition. A New York Times article dated September 2011 described Future as "[a] rising titan, figuring in two of the year's biggest songs: his single 'Tony Montana,' in which he raps with the world's weakest fake Cuban accent" and further added "[the song and his previous single "Racks"] follow a straightforward pattern, familiar to fans of Atlanta hip-hop: extremely catchy and oft-repeated hook, devil-may-care attitude, jagged and delirious production" and concluded: "Future was all confidence and presence…[he] is a capable if not thrilling rapper, but he's flexible."[10]
Charts
edit| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[11] | 4 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 22 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[13] | 18 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[14] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Future – Tony Montana". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "New Music: Future f/ Drake – 'Tony Montana (Remix)'". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
- ^ Jasmine, Alyse (June 6, 2017). "Is Mumble Rap Really Such A Terrible Thing?". Vibe. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ a b Cline, Georgette (October 27, 2011). "Future Says 'Tony Montana' Video Is 'Long Overdue' — Watch". The Boombox. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Future Talks "Tony Montana" Remix, Lil Wayne And Drake". HipHopDX. December 8, 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Tony Montana". Spotify. 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Call Me Montana". Spotify. 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Video: Future - 'Tony Montana'". Rap-Up. October 27, 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ Alexis, Nadeska (November 3, 2011). "Future Is Upset About Drake's Absence In 'Tony Montana' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/10/arts/music/future-at-sobs-review.html
- ^ "Future Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Future Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Future Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Future – Tony Montana". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 22, 2023.