Scarface (rapper)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Scarface
Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Brad Jordan
Alias =
Born =birth date and age|1970|11|09cite web|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|title=Scarface > Biography|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09fyxqr5ldhe~T1|publisher=allmusic|date=2007|accessdate=2008-09-11]
Died =
Origin = Houston, Texas, United States
Instrument =
Genre = Hip-Hop
Occupation = rapper
Years_active = 1988 - present
Label = Rap-A-Lot, Def Jam, Asylum, Koch
Associated_acts = Geto Boys, Z-Ro, Beanie Sigel
URL =

Brad Jordan, better known by his stage name Scarface (and formerly Akshen) is an American rapper originally known for his work as a member of The Geto Boys.

He has been a solo artist since 1991, becoming one of the most popular Fact|date=September 2008 southern rappers in the business, while maintaining ties to The Geto Boys.

Life and career

Scarface began his career as "Akshen" (pronounced Action) recording solo for Lil' Troy's Short Stop Records, a local label in Houston. He would go on to sign with Rap-A-Lot Records and join a group who were collectively known as Ghetto Boys replacing one member who left, later respelled Geto Boys, and released "Grip It! On That Other Level" (1989), a highly successful LP that garnered the group a large fanbase, in spite of their violent lyrics keeping them far from radio and MTV. He is named after the 1983 movie title Scarface.

Akshen changed his name to Scarface (he also changed his flow from a rapid-fire Kool G Rap-like delivery to normal flow, this time with a darker tone), after the film "Scarface", saying he felt that the main character of the movie was like him in many ways.Fact|date=August 2007 He then released his debut solo album, "Mr. Scarface Is Back". The album was a success, and Scarface's popularity soon overshadowed the other Geto Boys. Scarface remained in the group while releasing a series of solo albums that kept him in the public view with increasing sales. This peaked with 2000s "The Last of a Dying Breed", which received overwhelmingly positive reviews and sales, and earned him Lyricist of the Year at the 2001 Source Awards. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09fyxqr5ldhe~T1]

In 2002, he released "The Fix", the follow up to "The Last of a Dying Breed" and returned to the studio with the Geto Boys for their album, "The Foundation". He has collaborated with such artists as Jay-Z, Freeway, Master P, Jadakiss, Faith Evans, Chamillionaire, 2Pac, Nas, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Lloyd Banks, Beanie Sigel, Young Jeezy, Too Short, Anthony Hamilton, Bun B, Raekwon, Z-Ro, and Gang Starr. He is known for his sometimes unique and exaggerated voice and rapping technique. He was also featured on "" alongside Big Gee and Akon. He guest-appeared on Ray Cash's debut single "Bumpin' my Music".

In addition to his career as a lyricist, Scarface has also been the coordinator and president of Def Jam South since 2000, where he has fostered the career of popular rapper Ludacris, whom he originally signed to the label. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wsjm7i6jg74r~T1 AllMusic Guide] ]

In an interview, Scarface said that he would never record solo material again, due to creative differences with Rap-A-Lot.Fact|date=August 2007 He has stated that his last official album was "The Fix" which was released in 2002, and anything released afterwards has nothing to do with him--however, he has also admitted in a recent interview with XXL that he is releasing another solo album, "M.A.D.E.", for which a single has already been released. He did not rule out being featured on other artist's albums, as he has appeared on Freeway's album "Free at Last" and will appear on Beanie Sigel's album, "The Solution". Scarface is currently planning production; he has recently produced three tracks on UGK's "Underground Kingz": "Life In 2009," "Still Ridin' Dirty," and "Candy."

Some of Scarface's early music videos ("A Minute to Pray, A Second To Die") featured community activist Quanell X in supporting roles.

Scarface just collaborated with rapper Tech N9ne on his upcoming album Killer (Tech N9ne album) on the song "Pillow Talkin'".

Media appearances

Appeared in Mike Judge's "Idiocracy" as a pimp named Upgrayedd. Judge also used the Scarface track "No Tears" and Geto Boys tracks "Still" and "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" in his 1999 movie "Office Space".

He has appeared in two video games: "Def Jam Vendetta" and its sequel "".

Discography

*1991: "Mr. Scarface Is Back"
*1993: "The World Is Yours"
*1994: "The Diary"
*1997: "The Untouchable"
*1998: "My Homies"
*2000: "The Last of a Dying Breed"
*2002: "The Fix"
*2007: "Made"
*2008: "Emeritus" [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7798/title.scarface-says-emeritus-will-be-his-last-album] [undefined] [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/scarface/albums.jhtml?albumId=2332379]

Other Albums

*2003: "Balls and My Word"
*2006: "One Hunid" (with The Product)
*2006: "My Homies Part 2"

References

External links

* [http://www.rapalotrecords.com Rap-a-lot Official site]
* [http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Web-Exclusive/Scarface Scarface Interview and Pics at Complex.com]