From DJ Akshen to Scarface
Jordan’s journey began behind the turntables as DJ Akshen, spinning records in Houston clubs before signing with James Prince’s pioneering Rap-A-Lot Records. In 1989, he joined the Geto Boys, bringing a darker, more introspective perspective that forever changed the group’s trajectory. Their breakout albums Grip It! On That Other Level (1989) and We Can’t Be Stopped (1991) pushed hip-hop into uncharted territory, tackling themes of violence, survival, and mental health with unflinching honesty. The hit single “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” remains one of the most iconic and haunting rap songs ever recorded.
Solo Stardom
While the Geto Boys made Scarface a household name, his solo career established him as a legend. His debut album, Mr. Scarface Is Back (1991), set the tone, but it was classics like The Diary (1994), The Untouchable (1997), and The Fix (2002) that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Collaborating with artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, Nas, Ice Cube, and Kanye West, Scarface bridged coasts and generations, earning critical acclaim and multiple Gold and Platinum records along the way.
Beyond the mic, Scarface also shaped the industry as the head of Def Jam South, where he championed artists including Ludacris and helped usher Southern rap into the mainstream.
ABOUT BRAD
Brad Jordan, better known to the world as Scarface, is one of hip-hop’s most enduring voices - a storyteller whose raw honesty and lyrical depth have shaped the sound and soul of Southern rap. Born and raised in Houston’s South Acres neighborhood, Jordan rose from humble and turbulent beginnings to become a defining figure in American music, often called “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.”
Legacy & Recognition
In 2015, Scarface received the “I Am Hip Hop” Lifetime Achievement Award from BET, honoring a career that has spanned over three decades. Publications like The Source and About.com have consistently ranked him among the greatest MCs in history. But perhaps his truest recognition comes from the generations of artists — from Houston to New York to LA — who count him as a direct influence.
Resilience & Reinvention
Scarface’s life has been as unflinching as his lyrics. A high school dropout who battled depression and personal demons, he has faced down industry politics, health crises, and even a kidney transplant in 2021, gifted to him by his son. Yet each chapter of his life has been a comeback, reflecting the resilience that defines both the man and the music.
Most recently, Scarface has reintroduced his artistry with live-band performances and tours, sparked by a widely celebrated NPR Tiny Desk Concert that revealed new dimensions of his music.
Beyond the Music
Brad Jordan is more than Scarface. In 2019, he ran for Houston City Council, driven by a commitment to public service and his motto of “putting the neighbor back in the hood.” Through his Positive Purpose Movement, he continues to inspire and uplift underrepresented communities with education and empowerment initiatives.
He is also the author of the memoir Diary of a Madman (2015), a powerful recounting of his life, struggles, and creative journey.
The Man Behind the Music.
Today, Brad Jordan stands as a cultural icon: rapper, producer, executive, activist, father, and survivor. From the streets of Houston to the global stage, he has given voice to pain and triumph in equal measure, always with a truth that cuts deep and a perspective that endures.
