While sitting down bored last nite I browsed through some shows on ON DEMAND (comcast) and saw a show mtv had done when The Godfather game was coming out. The 20 minute special entitled "Money, Power, Respect" featured such hip-hop notables Fat Joe, Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, Russell Simmons and a few more which I cant remember off the top of my head. Before discussing the game the guests of the show discussed how The Godfather was influential to hip-hop. Most of them speaking about how everyone wants to be the Don, and of course about the money, power, and respect factor, also discussing the style the characters in The Godfather had.

As a falling fan of hip-hop the only relation I could find between the hip-hop stars and GF was alot of them came from the gutter and are now making it big for themselves and are able to allow themselves and their families live comfortably. Other than the rise of power I couldnt really relate to many other thing to the two worlds. I used to be a huge fan of hip-hop and nowadays the music has gone really downhill to talking about ass, money, cars, jewelery etc. and I see alot selling out for the money which I could not relate any of these things to GF which I saw as a movie of respect, values, and honor which have no relation to the other.

Has anyone else seen this special and if not what are your thoughts on modern day hip-hop stars in relation to the greatest film ever made?

I watched the special when it first aired. I too USED to be a big fan of hip-hop, but I know longer care much for it at all. I agree with you that the only comparison may be the fact that alot of these guys came from the gutter and now own "empires" themselves and are able to care for their family, but the thing is most of these guys dont have families, they party and go from woman to woman, illegit kid running around.....The one man that was on that special that I think deserves respect and has become a "Godfather" in his own right is Russell Simmons. He has an empire not only in hip-hop but other outlets and his family is involved. His brother Rev Run is a partner in many of Russell's businesses. Russell is also a family man with a wife and children. Most of the rappers only like The Godfather for the gangster part of it, infact some dont even understand the chess games that involved between the Dons, the just glamorize the "GANSGTER" part of the movie. The Godfather is first and foremost about FAMILY.

After all as Don Vito says "A man that doesnt spend time with his family can never be a real man."

-KC

Rap is all about the lifestyle. They watch the GF movies and see that Michael has the power and the wealth to do pretty much whatever he wants and live above the law.

However, I can see why they would relate to Scarface as Tony Montana truly came from the gutter to achieve power and wealth before he was killed.

Michael on the other hand was doing fine before he ever became involved with the family business. He was a soldier and was perhaps going to become a politician.

Not too many rappers come from that background.

Ah well, they like the movie which is fine with me. They're not changing the movie so who cares what they think?

Scarface is known as a thug movie, even though it's a great movie on its own merits -- but The Godfather is considered one of the best movies ever made. It doesn't need the following of rappers to become popular. It was ever since the day it was released in theaters... and probably will be popular for a long, long time.