Scarface Receives The I Am Hip-Hop Award Like An O.G. (Video)

In a career that’s spanned 27 years, Scarface has seemingly done it all. The Houston, Texas MC/producer has hit records, platinum albums, legendary verses, and membership to a pioneering Gangsta Rap group. At this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards, those achievements are recognized. In a year that’s seen another potent ‘Face LP (Deeply Rooted, his second studio album not to carry the Rap-A-Lot Records label) and a fresh memoir, Brad Jordan received the I Am Hip-Hop Award.

Accepting the award (which last year went to Doug E. Fresh) from Ludacris, the Geto Boy told audiences, “I think this is rigged […] I appreciate all the cool shit y’all said about me, but I just want everybody in the building to know that none of that shit is true. I am not an icon…” After a long pause, the MC chuckled, and admitted, “I’m lyin’.” ‘Face stressed that awards like this were never in his imagination when he began as a Geto Boy named DJ Akshen 27 years ago. “From start to finish, I appreciate y’all, man. Like, seriously.”

Even during the touching moment—lead by Luda’s gripping presentation, the Facemob front-man shouted out show-goers including collaborators Big K.R.I.T., DJ Premier, T.I., and Monica. Caught off guard, the shyness of the icon only adds to his mystique. Just as the video introduction alluded (with pointed reflections by Q-Tip, Preemo, MC Lyte, Ice-T, and more), Scarface is authentic.

At a time when Rap’s great ones often seem to be either in ivory towers or distant from the booth, Brad Jordan is active, modest, and a career role-model. One of Jay Z and Nas’ favorite MCs, a mentor to Ludacris, Kanye West and Devin The Dude, collaborator of Tupac Shakur and DJ Screw, Scarface’s career covers all of Hip-Hop. While his albums have not received the Grammy (and other) awards many feel they may deserve, tonight honored a man and career who has been some of the constant glue to Hip-Hop for decades.

What’s your favorite Scarface verse?

Related: Scarface & Nas Make Another Amazing Cross-Country Collab (Audio)