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After 20 years of vivid and diverse lyricism, Houston rap pioneer Scarface (a.k.a. Brad Jordan) claims he is now laying his solo career to rest. As the man who can most accurately stake claim to the title “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper” it is safe to say that Emeritus will be yet another consistent effort.

Starting in the late 1980’s as a member of the Geto Boys, Scarface, then named “Akshun,” made a name for himself by depicting gritty street tales along side Bushwick Bill and Willie D. With the help of Rap-A-Lot Records founder James Prince, Geto Boys albums like Grip It!, On That Other Level and We Can’t Be Stopped made a splash nationally and had an even bigger impact regionally. This success propelled Scarface into a solo career that garnered much acclaim in the 90’s with albums like The Diary, Mr. Scarface is Back, and The Untouchable.

With a commanding tone, ‘Face raps about soul searching amid social and economic disenfranchisement in the city’s slums. His rhymes only seem more genuine with later realizations of the FBI’s probe into him and Rap-A-Lot Records as a whole. The label’s affiliation with famed criminal and gang founder Larry Hoover, along with allegations of drug activity supposedly spurred the investigation. In spite of this, Scarface became known as one of the most talented and reliable artists in the industry. Through collaborations with everyone from Tupac and Dr. Dre to artists like Nas and Jay-Z, it is safe to say that ‘Face demands respect from coast to coast.

By 2000 Scarface had made quite a career for himself, although his most critically acclaimed project was yet to come. His 2002 release The Fix showed a rap veteran with rhymes of the highest caliber. He quickly had a hit single in “My Block” and a coveted “5 mic” rating from The Source. Shortly after the buzz fizzled ‘Face announced he would retire from rapping and take a post as the head of Def Jam South. This came as little surprise considering he always seemed on the cusp of national celebrity and corporate fandom. This move to Atlanta helped him prove that his talents in the industry spanned further than mere artistry. After signing artists like Ludacris to the label, ‘Face rescinded his retirement for a Geto Boys reunion and further solo projects. Solid albums like The Foundation and Made have since kept him relevant yet out of any overbearing spotlight.

With Emeritus, Scarface is planning a second retirement, but this time he’s going out as a pioneer and supreme lyricist. If the INTRO is any indication this should be a powerful effort from one of hip hop’s greats. Although this seems to serve as his last solo album, it has been rumored that he might collaborate with Nas and Ice Cube on a future release. Any notion of a rapper retiring ultimately needs to be taking with a grain of salt. Jay-Z claimed retirement only to keep working and release a new project a few years later. Too Short retired after his 10th album only to recant that statement and wait until after his 20th to bow out. The Game claims to retire after every album as a way to explain all the work he puts in to an album or to bolster its sales, probably a combination of both.

If any rapper could sustain a 40 year career, Scarface would have to be the top candidate. Having started with the Geto Boys during the times of N.W.A., Big Daddy Kane, and others, Scarface has effectively outlasted every hip hop trend. That stands as a testament to the timelessness of his subject matter and style. His success and reputation get constantly reinforced with his tough, never watered-down rhymes. Through the years Scarface has established himself as groundbreaking, authoritative, and the last of a dying breed. Whatever it is Scarface plans to do with his future in the music industry one this is for sure, he has nothing left to prove.

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