Ranking the Best Scarface Albums

I love when the legends remind y’all why they’re legendary.

Last month, Scarface captivated music fans with his Tiny Desk concert – in my oh so humble opinion, it’s one of the best performances in that platform’s history.

It’s yet another reason why Brad Jordan’s talent is undeniable.

While others spend every waking moment trying to convince y’all that they’re the king of Southern rap, Scarface remains unbothered. His resume speaks for itself. From the groundbreaking Geto Boys, to an array of undisputed classic solo projects, and serving as one of rap’s most respected OGs, Facemob’s consistency is largely unmatched.

Let’s prove it by looking back at his entire discography, ranking his LPs from bottom to top. Face has a massive catalog, so for the sake of time (and your attention spans) we’ll stick with the solo albums for now, excluding group projects with Geto Boys and the Facemob collective, as well as compilations and mixtapes.

(I did throw in one album as a bonus, though).

12. My Homies Part 2 (2006)

Soul in Stereo rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: A few years back, there was a decade-long stretch were it seemed like every major rap artist HAD to drop a double album to solidify their legacy. Scarface gave us not just one, but TWO. True to their names, the My Homies projects open the door for an endless array of guest stars, many of them being new faces getting their first shot at the spotlight. It’s a cool concept but, like most double albums, there’s way more content here that necessary. That’s especially the case for Part 2, which features a crushing amount of filler. It also doesn’t help that this dropped around the time of the South’s rise to mainstream prominence, which means there’s more than the usual amount of radio friendly records that don’t fit Face’s vibe.

Forgotten favorites: “Street Lights,” “Pimp Hard,” “The Corner Remix”

11. The World Is Yours (1993)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: Claiming that The World Is Yours is a victim of the dreaded sophomore jinx is a bit of an exaggeration, but sadly, Brad’s second album is a clear step down from his fantastic debut. The storytelling is still noteworthy and Face’s flow remains impeccable but it’s easily his most unfocused project that doesn’t have the My Homies anchor attached to it. There are strong moments to be found, sure, but it comes off as much more generic gangsta album the what preceded it. He’d outdo this project many times over in later years.

Forgotten favorites: “Now I Feel Ya,” “You Don’t Hear Me Doe,” “Mr Scarface: Part III the Final Chapter”

10. My Homies (1998)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: It’s funny, the original My Homies project may be slightly longer than its sequel, but it doesn’t feel nearly as aimless and bloated. Still, there’s a LOT going on. Facemob often disappears entirely to let the guest stars take the reins, and the results are mixed. But when he’s in the driver’s seat, things go pretty well. As a showcase of late 90s Southern hip-hop it’s cool, but at times it doesn’t even feel like a Scarface album.

Forgotten favorites: “Homies & Thugs,” “2 Real,” “Do What You Do”

9. Made (2007)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: It’s tough to give an in-depth critique of Made. It’s just kinda … there. It features the usual top-tier storytelling we’ve come to love, filled with the honest truths only an OG can deliver. See “Boy Meets Girl,” for instance. But that’s the thing – Made is just what we’ve come to know from Face, no more, no less. With so little standouts, Made is an album strictly for Scarface completionists. Most other fans won’t be moved.

Forgotten favorites: “Never,” “Go,” “Who Do You Believe In”

8. One Hunid (2006)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Now I know I said we wouldn’t include side projects on this list, but I doubt I’ll have anther chance to talk about this album and I always thought The Product had promise. One Hunid is the one and only release from The Product, Face’s union with Willie Hen and Young Malice. The first half of the album isn’t groundbreaking, just your typical mid-00s mixtape fare. But by the time we hit the second half, the trio really gels through their introspective bars and effortless delivery. It’s far from a perfect project, but it’s one I’ve come back to many times. Also, the Alchemist-produced “G-Type” is a real gem of its era.

Forgotten favorites: “G Type,” “Pride,” “Life’s Been”

7. The Last of a Dying Breed (2000)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: The reaction to Scarface’s 2000 album has always been a bit mixed, and I agree with that sentiment. Like several of the albums we’ve already touched on this list, it’s a solid release hindered by a few inconsistent spots. However, it’s very cool hearing Face spit alongside greats like UGK and Redman. It’s another fine but forgettable release that would be outshined by the album that follows it.

Forgotten favorites: “Sorry for What?,” “In My Time,” “And Yo”

6. The Untouchable (1997)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: I may be mistaken – which isn’t unheard of, cuz I’m old – but I’m pretty sure this was the first Scarface solo project I heard in full. That’s interesting in hindsight because it’s the probably the least Southern-sounding Face album. It’s essentially a G-Funk LP with a darker edge. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the album’s biggest shortcoming is that the singles vastly outshine the album cuts. With a little more meat on the bone this could have been even greater.

Forgotten favorites: “No Warning,” “Smartz,” “Untouchable”

5. Emeritus (2008)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: And now we finally break into the top tier. By 2008, the South’s dominance of hip-hop became undeniable, and 16 years later that hasn’t changed. Emeritus is the perfect title for this album, as Scarface – the standard for Southern hip-hop – opens his door for a new generation, while also reminding y’all why is name is still on the deed of Southern rap’s palace. After a couple of years of so-so releases, he sounds downright rejuvenated over stellar production by Nottz, NO Joe, Illmind and more. It’s a strong declaration of his legacy and shows that he can evolve his sound with the best of them.

Forgotten favorites: “Forgot About Me,” “We Need You,” “High Note”

4. Deeply Rooted (2015)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: It always warms my heart when a legend with decades of albums to their name can drop material this good in the latter stages of their career. Deeply Rooted is not just Scarface’s last album to date, it’s some of his best work ever. Deeply Rooted, Face’s 11th solo LP, continues his unprecedented run of dominance — sobering street tales and heartfelt introspection. You can’t even call this a comeback — Face never left. And by the sound of things, he never will.

Forgotten favorites: “The Hot Seat,” “Dope Man Pushin,” “Voices”

3. Mr. Scarface is Back (1991)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Mr. Scarface isn’t just back, this is just the beginning. Face’s studio debut following his star-making run with the Geto Boys was met with much anticipation, and expectations were exceeded. Mr. Scarface was a subtle evolution from the Geto Boys sound – not a drastic reinvention, but Face was given enough room to grow into his own artist. And that, of course, shines brightest when he’s painting mental pictures like Picasso through his rhymes. Concept tracks like “I’m Dead” positioned Face as one of rap’s best storytellers. Mr. Scarface doesn’t grab as may headlines as more well-known albums, but it’s one of the most important releases in Southern rap.

Forgotten favorites: “Money and the Power,” “Born Killer,” “Diary of a Madman”

2. The Fix (2002)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Scarface had long been considered a rap legend, thanks to his solo efforts and his work with the groundbreaking Geto Boys collective, but by 2002 it seemed it seemed Face’s best days were behind him. The Fix quickly proved me wrong. Boasting iconic guess verses, stellar production, Face’s trademark insight and some of the biggest hits of his career, The Fix wasn’t just a comeback album – it was affirmation of his legacy. There’s a reason why it’s one of his most celebrated releases to date.

Forgotten favorites: “In Cold Blood,” “What Can I Do,” “I Ain’t the One”

1. The Diary (1994)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: After branching away from the Geto Boys, it took a sec for Scarface to find his footing as a solo artist. By 1994, that wasn’t a problem. The Diary is still heralded as his best work and a Southern rap classic. It’s easy to write this off as a 90s gangsta album, but there’s so, so much more here. The haunting sonic backdrop that infuses fear and dread into every bar, Face’s descriptive flow, and yes, there’s violence galore, but there are consequences for it. It’s not so much a glorification of violence, it’s a reminder of the horror left in its wake. If you’re questioning just why Face is still considered an all-time great today, let this album be your starting point.

Forgotten favorites: “No Tears,” “Mind Playing Tricks 94,” “The Diary”

Which Scarface album tops the list for you? Talk about it in the comments below.