{{short description|1995 single by Raekwon}} {{Infobox song | name = Incarcerated Scarfaces | cover = | type = single | artist = Raekwon | album = Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... | A-side = Ice Cream | released = 1995 | recorded = 1994 | genre = * East Coast hip-hop * mafioso rap | length = 4:42 | label = Loud | writer = * Corey Woods * Robert Diggs * Abrim Tilmon | producer = RZA | prev_title = Criminology | prev_title2 = Glaciers of Ice | prev_year = 1995 | title2 = Ice Cream | next_title = Firewater | next_year = 1996 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|hhVTTLOmggs|"Incarcerated Scarfaces"}}}} }} "'''Incarcerated Scarfaces'''" is a song by American rapper Raekwon from his debut studio album ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'' (1995). It was released as the B-side of his single "Ice Cream". Produced by RZA, it contains samples of "You're Gettin' a Little Too Smart" by The Detroit Emeralds and "Wang Dang Doodle" by Koko Taylor.
==Background== RZA originally produced the beat of "Incarcerated Scarfaces" for GZA's album ''Liquid 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lindsey |first1=Craig D. |title=Raekwon Picks His 10 Best Songs |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/04/raekwon-picks-his-10-best-songs.html |website=Vulture |access-date=18 March 2025 |date=April 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name="XXL">{{cite web |title=Raekwon, The Making of “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/raekwon-the-making-of-only-built-for-cuban-linx/ |website=XXL |access-date=18 March 2025 |date=August 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Complex">{{cite web |last1=Isenberg |first1=Daniel |title=Raekwon Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/daniel-isenberg/raekwon-25-essential-songs |website=Complex |access-date=18 March 2025 |date=March 9, 2011}}</ref> The song was written in support of Raekwon's friends in jail. He wanted to include that certain theme in ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'' and one of his friends had just started serving a heavy sentence.<ref name="XXL" /><ref name="Complex" />
==Content== In the song, Raekwon details his ascent to prominence as a rapper, with lyrics rich in slang. He includes a shout-out to Connecticut 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 and Manhattan police flooding Staten Island streets.<ref name="KEXP">{{cite web |last1=Douglas |first1=Martin |title=50 Years of Music: 1995 - Raekwon - "Incarcerated Scarfaces" |url=https://www.kexp.org/read/2022/9/21/50-years-of-music-1995-raekwon-incarcerated-scarfaces/ |website=KEXP |access-date=18 March 2025 |date=September 21, 2022}}</ref>
==Critical reception== Mr. S of ''RapReviews'' gave a positive review, considering it to have one of the RZA's best beats on ''Only 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.'"<ref>Mr. S (February 3, 2001). [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_cubanlinx.html Raekwon the Chef :: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... :: Loud/RCA]. RapReviews. Retrieved on 2011-05-31.</ref>
==Music video== The music video finds Raekwon rapping on rooftops alongside his fellow Wu-Tang Clan members and smoking blunts in elevators.<ref name="KEXP" />
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1995) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|37|artist=Raekwon|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |- {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|37|artist=Raekwon|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |- {{single chart|Billboardrapsongs|5|artist=Raekwon|rowheader=true|access-date=March 18, 2025}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Raekwon}}
Category:1995 singles Category:1995 songs Category:Raekwon songs Category:Song recordings produced by RZA Category:Songs written by Raekwon Category:Songs written by RZA Category:Loud Records singles Category:Songs about racism and xenophobia