What with Brad Jordan releasing his biography, Diary of a Madman recently (which he discusses with ego trip’s Gabriel Alvarez here), it seemed like a good time to take another listen his first single, released on Lil’ Troy‘s Short Stop Records back when he was still calling himself DJ Akshun. The a-side would later be slightly reworked for the Grip It! On That Other Level album when Scarface became a Ghetto Boy, while ‘Put Another Head To rest’ was relegated to the crates of Houston locals and ebay borks until Lil’ Troy pissed off ‘Face by including the song on his Sittin’ Fat Down South CD and things degenerated from there.
Bonus: Here’s the cover photo from Scarface’s first album before J. Prince took to DJ Reddy Red‘s face with a magic marker.
Haha sharp sight, I grabbed the vinyl and Red’s face does look darker on he cover. Wasn’t aware tht ‘Face released anything before he joined the Geto Boys, so props.
That debut is one of my favorite albums of all time. For whatever reason Rap-A-Lot was never held in the same light as a Def Jam or a Loud, but their catalog is actually more consistent than any other label and for a longer period of time.
Most of the beats were top notch made by Mike Dean and N.O. Joe, and with the exception of a few novelty acts like Bushwick Bill and 2Low, most of the artists brought good flows and lyrics to the table.
And to think “My minds playin tricks on me” was supposed to be on Mr. Scarface is back first. 0
Always appreciate some Scarface/early Rap-a-lot on this site. Face mentions in his new book how he thought the label fell off in the later 90’s when they had a 50+ artist roster with D-grade pen-n-pixel-lite album covers, which is completely true.
All common knowledge to us in the south, but knowledge nonetheless. Props.
Yo the ORIGINAL “GHETTO BOYS” Mostly from Jersey were SO MUCH Better than those backwards ass Texas Dudes!
Johnny was dope though. But the “GETO BOYS” were doing all the songs that the other group had already recorded, same beat even.
Scarface is a poor man’s Kool G Rap.
@DJ DAVITO, no. The original line-up lacked the same charisma.
@DJ DAVITO
“Scarface is a poor man’s Kool G Rap.”
You’re a fool. 2 completely different styles. And if anything, Scarface was on that psychotic tip way before G Rap was. Yes, Live and Let Die is a classic but that came out a couple years after Scarface was already putting down that same steez. Before that, G Rap was more of a hustler rapper in a traditional NY sense. Wasn’t until he hired Sir Jinx to do all the beats that he adopted a more crazy persona and even featured Scarface on that album.
That Scarface is a poor man’s G Rap is a lofty call. Scarface could almost be considered G Rap’s down south equivalent and Rap-A-Lot is definitely the Cold Chillin/Def Jam of the South.. Face and Bill showed up on the third G Rap & Polo album also from memory.
Two to the Head is the Track, Cube is on it too.
Scarface is arguably as good as Kool G Rap in any conversation.
In there primes Scarface and G Rap were pretty much equal but consistency wise Scarface is still makin dope music. G Rap has been a bust for the last decade for the most part.
Scarface equal to G Rap??????????????
That’s just straight up ignorant. I can even debate with somebody who would say Scarface was equal to G RAP??????? ReallY??????????
You probably think 2 pac and Eminem are the two other best mcs LOL. You
G Rap himself would probably tell you Scarface is on a level playing field. I think you’re giving Face way too little credit. Regionally, he’s just as important and influential to the Texas scene as G is to the NY scene.
Scarface wins over G Rap. Might hurt but it’s true. Fuck Eminem n Pac only decent btw.