Scarface Names More Than 15 MCs Better Than Him. Do You Agree? (Video)

The legendary Scarface stopped by the Sway in the Morning show in promotion of the release of his new book, Diary of a Madman: The Geto Boys, Life, Death, and the Roots of Southern Rap. Given the multi-decade history between Face and Sway, the conversation had the promise of something special, and it delivered.

The two Hip-Hop icons kicked off the discussion with pleasantries about Scarface’s very noticeable new physical appearance. The Houston MC shed quite a few pounds over the last couple of years and, seems to have turned back the hands of time. He attributed the transformation to exercise and eating well, though noting he’d been lacking in exercise as of late. The two also discussed the tremendous fitness of fellow Geto Boy Willie D, with Face asserting that, due to his extensive boxing experience, Willie’s knuckle-game was on point too.

Shortly thereafter, Sway began to inquire about the book that the MC born Brad Jordan wrote with help from author, Benjamin Meadows Ingram. Diving right in, he asks Face about an incident he wrote about regarding a serious physical altercation with his uncle. Jordan admitted the attack was motivated by his uncle stealing some of his crack and that now, years later, he regretted putting his hands on family.

After discussing some other candid moments included in the book, the conversation shifted to Scarface’s place in history among his MC peers. At 22 minutes in, Sway plays a soundbite from Chris Rock’s Top Five film, where the comedian places Face in his top five MCs of all-time, even ahead of Biggie. Sway asks Scarface if he places himself in the top five, and he responds with an emphatic “no.” When Sway follows up by asking if he cracks the top ten, Jordan again responds no and proceeds to earnestly list 15 MCs who he considers to be better than him. The list includes Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Chuck D, Jay Z, Kanye West, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Lil Wayne, Chubb Rock and even J. Cole. While one gets the sense that Scarface is being humble, it also is quite clear that he has deep reverence for each of the artists he names.

Later in the interview, the two discuss some of the greats with whom Scarface has worked. On the subject of Jay Z, The Geto Boy speaks extensively about how Jay is so good, it’s “cheating.” He confirms that the widespread stories about Jay not writing his rhymes down are 100% true, saying he’s witnessed the phenomenon on “probably 55” occasions. He even goes as far as to demonstrate the types of things Jay says while crafting his rhymes in the studio. Face also talks about Kanye West and the journey he’s made since the days of trying to bundle his rhymes with people who wanted his beats.

The conversation then turns to the MC’s often unheralded production skills. When asked what songs he’s produced, Scarface mentions “Mind Playing Tricks on Me,” “I Seen a Man Die,” and his entire first solo project, to name a few. He also gives extensive credit to his co-producer Mike Dean, citing his work for Devin the Dude and co-production on “I Seen a Man Die.”

Toward the end of the interview, the two close the conversation with a discussion about the relevance of age in Hip-Hop. Triggered by certain statements by Young Thug against older rappers, Face is diplomatic in his response to the young MC but strongly states that age does not matter in Hip-Hop. He says there are several MCs he would think twice about recording with because of their prodigious skills, whether older (Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Kool G Rap) or younger (Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Lil Wayne).

After the better part of an hour, the two conclude by revisiting some of Scarface’s classics, with Face rapping along to a couple of records and finally admitting that “yeah, the boy is NICE!” Check out the video.