Donning his patented Astros lid, the heroic Houston hip-hop artist bellowed out the hits from his impressive, multi-decade-spanning catalog. From about 10 yards away, I rapped along to “On My Block,” “I Seen a Man Die,” and “Smile.” Prior to performing the last referenced record, which, for those in the unknown, is a classic song that features the late, great 2Pac, Brad “Scarface” Jordan told the crowd a funny story about a time he was on the road with Pac, where the artistic Gemini’s expressive side was sensed. It was awesome.
Being a devoted fan of hip-hop, it was a special concert for me to attend. Due to his ability to put together quality project after quality project while he was active as an emcee, Scarface is an iconic figure in the genre. Aside from producing hit albums, whether with the Geto Boys or as a solo act, what makes Scarface a legend is his ability to express authentic lyrics while pouring out raw emotion in every track. As far as mainstream hip-hop artists go, there’s a handful of performers who, whenever you hear them on the mic, you know they’re speaking from the heart. 2Pac and DMX were a pair, and Scarface is, without a doubt, another name that belongs in that same tier. I’ve always admired his brutal honesty on the mic and enjoy studying his work, hoping that I’ll be able to learn how to better express my genuine self in my own creative endeavors. ‘Face tells his personal story but does so in a way that connects to his devotees, which is the magic recipe for cultivating captivating, ingenious-based productions.
For this particular concert in Austin, TX, Scarface had a live band with him, which gave the show a strong sense of realness. It felt as though we were all privy to a behind-the-scenes recording session, but one being carried out at game speed. As a fellow creative, it was very inspiring to witness someone who, for more than 30 years, has been able to manifest their vision via art with great efficiency.
These days, a lot of hip-hop junkies love to throw around their “Top 5” or “Top 10” rappers of all-time lists and argue with strangers about why they chose who they chose. Based on his output, it’s hard to overlook Scarface when compiling names for one of these rapper-based registers. With ‘Face, all the boxes are checked: body of work, passion, lyrical ability, and authenticity, to name a few. In addition to 2Pac, he’s hopped on tracks with other icons like Jay-Z, Nas, and Ice Cube and dominated his verses, further proving that he can hang with anyone on the microphone.
It’s artists like Scarface that inspired me to put together my project, Trust the Grind, and do so with esteemed guest features. Speaking of the book world, he has a fantastic autobiography, Diary of a Madman, that is a must-read for any hip-hop fan. The book gives a clear picture of his journey, from troubled kid to shining star, and all of the trials and tribulations in between.
All in all, it was an honor to see an illustrious act excel on the mic in his home state.