Four Drake albums and seven years ago Scarface dropped Emeritus, which he said at the time was to be his last album. Well, Mr. Scarface is back with Deeply Rooted. But does the album bear fresh fruit or rotten throwaways?
As the title suggests, Deeply Rooted finds Scarface reconnecting with the Houston hood that raised him. What keeps this retread fresh is that Scarface approaches the content from a more mature perspective this time around. There’s a righteous indignation against racial injustice and a need for self-preservation that Scarface directs toward his circumstance. However, rather than preach from a pulpit, he speaks through stories, from the restless kid in church on “All Bad,” to the hustler on “Do What I Do,” to the victim of a racist system on “The Hot Seat.”He takes his responsibility as an elder statesman of Hip Hop seriously with the experience to back his wisdom. “I been there done that grew from my fuck ups / A hard head make a nigga soft ass tougher,” he raps on “God.”
He makes it clear that those stories represent the Scarface of the past. “You” is part-tribute, part-reflection about his mother and his children that shows Scarface as a father and working man rather than a hustler. “I see where my mom was my mom like my grandma / My kids like I was every day like a standoff,” he rhymes on “You.” That growth is all well and good, but does it translate into good music? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Scarface’s vocal presence is as captivating as ever, especially when the topic is spiritual. He opines on what he would do if given ultimate power on “God,” resulting in the most moving song on the album. Everything from Scarface’s aches for a better world to John Legend’s soulful hook makes “God” the album’s weighty, enlightened centerpiece.
“All Bad” revisits spiritual territory, finding a young Brad Jordan trying to act the part in church while his clandestine street activities wait for him on the outside. The duality is compelling. Even when Scarface isn’t spiritual, he can tug at the heartstrings with two tracks that could have been titled “Mind Playin’ Tricks ’15”: “Voices” and “Steer” showcase a mentally unstable man crying out for help. They’re at once frightening and melancholy, and while they harken back to “Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me,” they stand on their own as examinations of how fragile the human psyche can be.
Musically, Deeply Rooted is low-key, superbly playing to Scarface’s strengths. Piano loops and thick drums draw in the listener while allowing Scarface to take center stage on several tracks, providing the album with a cohesive feel without sounding repetitive. Occasionally, as on “God,” there’s a soulful, epic feel, but most tracks have the back-to-basics feel that befits the record. Like the production, the collaborations complement Scarface without upstaging him. Nas and Rick Ross are strong on “Do What I Do,” while Papa Reu, Z-Ro, Rush Davis, CeeLo Green and Avant all provide smooth vocals throughout the album. On each and every track, though, it’s clear this is Scarface’s show.
It’s not all fresh, though. There are a few missteps, namely “Dope Man Pushin’” and “No Problem.” The former finds Scarface revisiting content he’s enlivened many times, but this turn finds him without his usual brevity. Fortunately, “Outro” keeps “No Problem” from being the last impression of the album. That’s a good thing because Scarface’s latest offering is one of the better Hip Hop albums of 2015. Deeply Rooted finds Scarface firmly entrenched in his roots while showing maturation as a man and artist.
Excellent album. Top 5 this year so far.
FACE gotta go platinum plus on this one. I would promote this muthafuka myself if I could. HOT!!! Album Intro to Outdo’….
It kills me how all these corny album reviews categorize “Dope Man Pushin” and “No Problem” as missteps. Both songs are vicious and go with the theme of the album that Face has two sides. I’ve been a Face fan forever and Deeply Rooted is a classic. All songs well produced and expertly rapped. Plus the bonus songs on the Bestbuy version are classic too. FACEMOB!!!!
Classic album face never disappoint
@ Jay from DC. I concur, bro.
No Problem lets these cats know what’s up! I don’t see any problem with that! Face puts it down and Deeply Rooted is off the chain.
@Jay from DC, those songs are too aggressive.
THIS ALBUM GAYER THAN LIBERACE GAGGING ON CAMEL DONGERS. ONE STAR OUT OF ZERO NIGGA
Totally agree with Jay….those two songs are just as much Face as the rest of the songs. People need to do their research, Face have several more songs like these.
Album of the year.. Lyrical content is Street Poetry, Art its finest, the Beats Are unbelievably perfect.. Giving Dr Dre a run for his Titel .. Not one Album in the Last 5 years comes Even anywhere close to this!
Leave it to HipHopDx to mention Drake in a fucking Scarface review. We know your from Canada DX we know you love everything “Drake” we know that people in Canada are a bunch of pussies and Drake represents you well but whats it reall all a boot?
DoaP! At first i was like too much singin 6/10 but now i defo love the whole thang. The truth
I truly loved this album. So many bangers on here, and it ranges from old school sound to new school sounds very smoothly. Lyrics on point, as always. Face will always be top 5 for me
I cringed at the first sentence. Why’d you have to include you know who’s name in there? Now since that’s out the way, this album is fantastic. Facemob delivers again from beginning to end. One of the best albums this year.
But i flip, listenin to new Face, cover of trace
This the muthafuckin’ review, we ain’t need no Drake
I’d call this ‘Faces 3rd best album, damn near flawless. 5/5.
The opening sentence was a tongue-in-cheek play on “Four score and seven years ago,” using Drake as an example because Drake signifies how much rap has changed since Scarface’s last album.
Yes, it has changed. Being corny, shallow and having a ghostwriter is now acceptable. Lionel Ritchie’s son.
The hell you mean ghostwriting is now acceptable? You think Dr. Dre and Eazy E wrote their own lyrics?
Ghostwriting has been going down since Day 1. Personally, I don’t find it acceptable, but it’s nothing new. What’s changed remarkably is the era of the dumb-down artist – the shallowness and corniness that you describe, as well as the straight out stupidity. (Not all artists, but enough that it has negatively impacted the genre).
Dre and easy e made it clear that they use ghostwriters.Rather than acting as if they didnt.And not EVERY rapper uses ghostwriters.Lets not get it teisted
Easily, the first person on my personal Mt. Rushmore. This a great album, with only one minor hiccup (“Voices,” a decent song, but out-of-place on this collection). Otherwise, another superior disc within his catalogue. Subjectively, and personally speaking, I count ‘Face as having six classic albums: Mr. Scarface is Back, Last of a Dying Breed, The Diary, The Fix. Made, Emeritus, and Deeply Rooted.
100% agree, though personally, I’d add Untouchable on that list as well. Not exactly a classic, but that was my shit. Scarface, top 5 easily.
Untouchable is an absolute classic as well
You hit that dead on the nose!!!
Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper!
Greatest ever done it; you can learn from it.
SCARFACE A OL BUBBA GUMP ASS LOOKIN NIGGA. THIS ALBUM GAYER THAN RICHARD SIMMONS LICKING LIBERACE VOOTY NIGGA FUCKYBOI
Amazing album, I was not expecting it to be so enjoyable.
This how you come back 8-10 yrs later! This album unprecedented. Instant classic AOTY!
fantastic album..rooted is one of the greatest hiphop songs in decades
knockin album is sick whip music that track with nas thou westcoast
this is probably going to stay in my car for the rest of the year at least. best album ive heard in a long time.
Face has been one of my favorite rapper for years now and this album showcases why he’s one of the greatest
Just listen to “keep it moving” with Avant
This whole album just showcases a pioneer at his finest can’t nobody touch this album, people say Dres Compton was album of the year haha that was garbage
THIS ALBUM GAYER THAN LIBERACE GAGGING ON CAMEL DONGERS. ONE STAR OUT OF ZERO NIGGA
Love the song and can’t wait for the album to come out.
The album has been out a week
Thank u Uncle Face for real hiphop since Mr. Scarface is back
9.99 Best buy deluxe (u need exit plan and mental excorisim)!
Scarface no more Rap A Lot, on his independent grind, support real hiphop.
One of the top albums of the year!
Best hip hop album in a long time
Just listened to the album n its good. Face stayed in his lane and sound even more matured musically. even the bonus tracks were gud…loved the laid back beats and somber flow from Face…5/5 to me…suits the Scarface catalog… if u remember last of a dying breed and the fix, u will love this album…lyrically insane on that level…thanks FACE!!!!!!!
To me either his 2nd or 3rd best album. He really went in on this album. The only thing I thought could’ve been abit better is the production on the last 3-4 songs to close out the album althought NO JOE laced it overall. I’d give this album a solid 4.5/5 easily the best album of 2015 and possibly the best album of the last 7 or 8 years.
Definitely one of the heaviest hip hop albums this year
Albums dope!!! Scarface never disappointed.
# Scarface never disappoints
listenIng to the records…few songs in…fuck. Listening to this man and his group since I was 15.. 37 now… Some fuckin time…and tastes change but face been ahead of my respect the whole time… Lyrics are obviously beyond street…Rhymes are powerful always + poetic…real n in your presence..money couldn’t change me past or the present…homey I’m the presence….,,”keep listening and you might get it”… Old man got it early …….some power in lyrics…nas says prison industrial complex… Again.. Good topic. Fuckos thx
only hipster nerds listen to this old hasbin. The average music fan doesnt even know who this bum is. No drake feature no fucks given.
Is this a fucking joke?
Drake is the greatest ever at running his lips on dicks. He is the best rapper because he is REALLY good at rapping his lips around the many dicks he sucks on the daily? #DrakeRunsRap #PingHisLipsOnTheDick #OVO #IsTheSymbolsOfTwoBallsAndAPussy #DrakeIsATranny #OvularVeryOvular #OVO #6InchesMinimumDickSucker #StraightOuttaThe #6InchesMinimumInHisAssNMouth
Drake is the greatest ever at running his lips on dicks. He is the best rapper because he is REALLY good at rapping his lips around the many dicks he sucks on the daily! #DrakeRunsRap #PingHisLipsOnTheDick #OVO #IsTheSymbolsOfTwoBallsAndAPussy #DrakeIsATranny #OvularVeryOvular #OVO #6InchesMinimumDickSucker #StraightOuttaThe6 #6InchesMinimumInHisAssNMouth
this day and age of gimmicks and fakes Scarface is a true veteran. Also a true testament to older rappers not being relevant. Deeply rooted is a masterpiece with very sharp lyrics.
BEST THAT EVER DONE IT; THAT TITLE IS FITTING FROM THE ROOTER TO THE TOOTER THAT NIGGA’S SPITTIN, 5 OUTA 5 NOTHING LESS CAN BE GIVEN
Fucking Hot 5 Stars
Thank God For Scarface! This is what music is supposed to sound like. Thanks face, for keepin it so real that u expose all these lame ass rappers now a days
Was not expecting much when I first put this on, but damn this album is fast growing on me….easily one of the best albums of the year….DOPE!
Album 100 respect all day. It’s rap not autotune!
Album 100 best this year
Hardest shit since riding dirty in the h
Amazing !
It’s a good scarface album. It’s a good album…but it sounds very dated. Still 3/5 tho
The album is so good I can’t stop playing it, especially “GOD”
Face came back wit some hardcore shit ? always speakin the truth. #facemob
Yeaaa Yea Yea !
Dope man pushin is a mistep? Oh, you must be insane.
Scarface is back! Say Hello to his little friend – Deeply Rooted
Best Album. Period