The world portrayed in Martin Scorsese’s movie “Mean Streets” and Ghostface Killah’s song titled “Shakey Dog,” are both similar and different. They both expose a world of organized crime where innocent citizens will turn a blind eye to the crimes and antics of both groups. “Mean Streets” depicts the Italian-American mob in New York City, specifically Little Italy, while on the opposite end of the city, way uptown, we have Ghostface Killah describing a robbery in great detail with his gang “Theodore,” which was a loose collective of rappers centered around Ghostface.

With “Mean Streets,” the viewer gets a broader look at what mob life was like in general, following Charlie. We see him go to the Catholic church, go to strip clubs, get caught in many shootings, have an affair, and meet with “The Boss.” This kind of view is something only a film would provide, allowing a maximum glimpse into the characters life. Unlike a song, a film has the time to make a compelling piece on mafia life in New York City, leaving the audience wanting and wondering for more.

With Ghostface Killah’s song, “Shakey Dog,” the listener is given a detailed heavy and gritty take on one specific aspect of gang life. We listen to Ghostface rap specifically about a robbery and he describes each detail painstakingly so, the listener can’t help but cringe at his abrasiveness. Ghostface only has three minutes and forty-four seconds to give an accurate portrayal of gang life and he accurately does that by retelling a gritty tale of a robbery.

Despite two gruesome takes on organized crime, mafia and gang. Mafia movies are still extremely appealing and compelling to viewers, yet songs like “Shakey Dog” are too harsh and gritty. This is primarily because the mafia is romanticized in film. We watch Charlie not only commit bad acts but also try to repent his sins and have a forbidden affair with a woman he’s not supposed to love. While all we get with a song like Ghostface’s is straight up real and gritty facts that leave no room for any wandering romantic imagination.