Ya’ll remember back in the early ’90s when Geto Boys dropped “Mind Playing Tricks on Me”? Scarface’s verse on that track was raw, honest, and haunting. It was one of those songs that tapped into something real. From the beat to Scarface’s chilling lines, everything just hit. The vibe was undeniable whether you heard it on the radio or from a friend’s stereo.
This verse? It’s pure Scarface—dark, paranoid, unforgettable. He brings you straight into his world, where shadows lurk, sleep is elusive, and trust is shaky. This track didn’t just climb the charts; it peaked at 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, 10 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and 5 on the US Rap chart, cementing it as a classic.
And this verse? It’s all about that iconic flow. Scarface’s voice, delivery, and raw honesty are why this verse is the one we’re highlighting. It’s subjective, but in terms of Iconic Flows, this one’s got it.
Health is truly wealth. Legendary rapper and producer Scarface would certainly agree with this ideology. Over the years, the Geto Boys member has documented his frightening medical ups and downs, which included a kidney transplant and a battle with the coronavirus.
Sadly, Scarface is back in the hospital for an undisclosed ailment. Yesterday (August 23), the “F*ck You Too” rapper posted an image of himself receiving medical treatment. “Ouch… Grateful,” read the caption.
Scarface did not outline the nature of his treatment or what he was admitted for. But the Houston Chronicle pointed out that one of the professionals in the image belonged to the facility’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. After he’s had time to properly heal, Scarface might provide the public with further information.
Until then, several hip-hop titans, including DJ Premier, Mannie Fresh, E40, DJ Quik, Twista, Three 6 Mafia, and Krayzie Bone rushed to the post’s comment section to wish the Southern rap icon a speedy recovery.
“Prayers sent Face! Continue to heal. Love you, Brad,” wrote Premier.
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“Praying for a speedy recovery family. I love you,” penned E40.
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“Let’s go bro, we got things to do,” added Mannie Fresh.
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“Brad, we got more work to do bro bro. Ain’t no time to be out of time,” chimed Quik.
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“God, watch, protect, and heal my brother,” inked Twista.
On this date in Hip-Hop history, Houston legends the Geto Boys released their most popular album to date, We Can’t Be Stopped, on J. Prince’s Rap A Lot Records.
With Bushwick Bill’s self-inflicted gunshot wound to the eye on the album cover and their uber-popular “Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me” dominating airwaves, Bill, Willie D, and Face’s most revered album helped re-define the term “hotter than July”.
The 14 track classic was certified platinum less than a year after its release, making Geto Boys a household name and making room for Brad Jordan to drop his debut album, Mr. Scarface Is Back.
Rest In Peace to Bushwick Bill and NJ-born DJ Ready Red, who was an original member of the Geto Boys, who left the group during the reocrding of this album. Salute to Uncle Face and Willie D for giving us such a timeless piece of Hip Hop history!
Geto Boys, also known as Ghetto Boys, one of the pioneering and influential groups in the history of Southern Hip Hop, emerged from the gritty streets of Houston, Texas, in the late 1980s. The group garnered attention for their raw and unapologetic lyrics. They also achieved notoriety for their disturbing music videos, horrorcore rap, and dark lyrics. While they faced controversy and several lineup changes throughout their career, their impact on the rap scene remains significant. Here, we’ll explore where the individual members of Geto Boys are now and provide an update on the group’s collective journey.
Geto Boys: Lineup After Lineup
Geto Boys was formed with the initial lineup of Raheem, The Sire Jukebox, and Sir Rap-A-Lot. After Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot departed, the group welcomed DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C, and Little Billy, the dancer who later became known as Bushwick Bill. The group made their debut in 1986 with the single “Car Crash,” and released their first album Making Trouble two years later. Unfortunately, their releases received very little attention, leading them to break up.
Soon after, a reconfigured lineup featuring Bushwick Bill, Scarface, and Willie D was assembled. The trio collaborated on the 1989 album Grip It! On That Other Level. In the early ’90s, the newfound Geto Boys gained significant attention when a shooting resulted in Bushwick Bill losing an eye. However, the ghastly incident contributed to the increased sales of their 1991 album, We Can’t Be Stopped.
The Resurrection, Hiatus, & The Foundation
Following Willie D’s departure from the group, Scarface and Bushwick Bill pressed on and welcomed Big Mike into the fold. He made his debut appearance on the group’s 1993 album Till Death Do Us Part. After that, Big Mike left, and Willie D returned for the critically acclaimed album The Resurrection. Following the project’s success, Geto Boys released one more album before embarking on a three-year hiatus in 1999. They returned in 2002 to produce their seventh album, The Foundation, which hit the shelves in 2005.
After this, the band rarely released any albums or performed as a group. They, however, reunited for a special performance at the 2009 Cypress Hill’s SmokeOut Festival in California. Not much was heard from the group until early 2019, when Bushwick Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The group then announced a farewell tour named “The Beginning of a Long Goodbye, The Final Farewell.” A portion of the tour proceeds was to be donated to pancreatic cancer awareness. Unfortunately, this tour was called off right before its scheduled commencement.
Scarface
Brad Terrence Jordan, popularly known as Scarface, maintained a prominent presence in the Hip Hop scene since the Geto Boys’ heyday. After the group’s early disbandment, Scarface pursued a successful solo career. He released critically acclaimed albums such as Mr. Scarface Is Back, The Diary, and The Last of a Dying Breed. Over the course of his career, Scarface quickly gained respect as one of the hardest MCs in the game.
Beyond music, Scarface delved into the business side of the industry. He served as the president of Def Jam South from 2000 to 2005. Through this appointment, he became an influential figure in shaping the careers of emerging artists, particularly Ludacris. Scarface was infamously arrested in 2015 after the BET Awards for failure to pay child support. He’s been long since out of prison, however, and fans got a taste of some of his old-school lyrical magic after he appeared on NPR’s series in December 2023.
William James Dennis, aka Willie D, also ventured into solo endeavors after Geto Boys disbanded the first time. He released several solo albums, including Controversy, Play Witcha Mama, and Unbreakable. However, Willie D also ventured far out of the industry and pursued a career in boxing, which he had initially wanted to pursue before music. He famously knocked out Melle Mel in 1992, and enjoyed a series of wins and losses until he quit in 2000.
Throughout the years, Willie D has been involved in various legal troubles, including aggravated robbery and wire fraud. In 2010, he was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges. Two years later, he released “Hoodiez,” a track featuring Scarface, D-Boi, and Propain. The song quickly gained traction and became a viral sensation on the internet. He’s been a bit lowkey since but made headlines in 2023 after blasting the Grammys for excluding the Geto Boys in their Hip Hop tribute.
Born Richard William Stephen Shaw, Bushwick Bill was an iconic and distinctive member of the Geto Boys. He was fondly remembered for his charismatic presence. Tragically, Bushwick Bill passed away in June 2019 from pancreatic cancer. His death marked the end of an era for the Geto Boys. As a solo artist, Bushwick Bill released several albums, including Little Big Man, Phantom of the Rapra, Universal Small Soulja, and My Testimony of Redemption.
Big Mike
Michael Barnett, better known as Big Mike, was known for his deep, resonant voice and lyrical prowess. Before his association with Geto Boys, Big Mike was also a member of the Convicts, a rap duo alongside Houston-based rapper 3-2. He began his solo career in 1994 with the album Something Serious. Since then, Big Mike has continued to remain relevant in the scene. His most recent album, Finish The Job, was released in 2020.
Jonathan Carmichael, aka Prince Johnny C, played a significant role in producing Geto Boys’ early albums. He also pursued a solo career in 1992 with the album It’s Been a Long Rhyme Coming. However, the album failed to make significant waves. Nonetheless, while he may not have achieved the same level of individual fame as some of the Geto Boys members, his production contributions are indelible.
DJ Ready Red, whose real name is Collins Leysath, was another one of the group’s DJs and producers. He was part of the second lineup for the group, along with Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot. After the other two left the group, he continued contributing to Geto Boys’s evolving sound. While he played a crucial role in the group’s early success, he eventually parted ways with the group. Sadly, DJ Ready Red passed away in August 2018 from a heart attack.
Raheem
Oscar Ceres, widely recognized as Raheem in the music scene, hails from Houston, Texas. He departed from the group early on to embark on a solo journey. Under Rap-A-Lot Records, he dropped two albums: TheVigilante in 1988 and The Invincible in 1992. Although he staged a comeback in 2000 with the release of The Tight IV Life Training Camp, he hasn’t unveiled any fresh musical content since then. In addition to this, Raheem has been living under the radar for two decades now.
Sir Rap-A-Lot & Sire Jukebox
Thelton Polk, formerly known as Sir Rap-A-Lot, and Keith Rogers, also known as Sire Jukebox, were both part of the original lineup for Geto Boys. Rap-A-Lot became known as K-9, with production credits on the songs “Car Freak” and Zoo Crew’s “Migrate Adapt or Die.” Sire Jukebox, on the other hand, has kept a very low profile since his days in Geto Boys.
Scarface, a pivotal figure in hip-hop, has left an indelible mark with his profound storytelling and gritty realism. The rapper is known for his work with the iconic group the Geto Boys and his impactful solo albums. Scarface has been hailed as a pioneer in shaping the narrative and sound of Southern rap.
As of 2024, his longstanding career in the music industry, despite its financial ups and downs, has led to a net worth of $100,000, according to Wealthy Gorilla. This figure, while modest, belies the immense cultural and artistic influence he has wielded in the genre.
Career Highlights: A Southern Rap Pioneer
Scarface, Ferrari Simmons, Greg Street, Wale and Bun B attend 2 Chainz Birthday Celebration. At Compound on September 14, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Scarface’s rise to prominence began with the Geto Boys, where his honest depictions of life in the streets set new standards in hip-hop storytelling. His solo career further solidified his status as a rap legend. This was boosted with critically acclaimed albums like The Diary and The Untouchable. Scarface’s ability to convey emotion and craft vivid narratives has earned him a revered place in the annals of hip-hop history.
Beyond Music: Challenges & Advocacy
MABLETON, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Rapper Scarface performs onstage during his farewell tour. At Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre on September 03, 2022 in Mableton, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
In addition to his musical achievements, Scarface’s journey has been marked by personal and financial challenges. His open discussions about mental health, particularly in communities of color, have been groundbreaking. His willingness to address such topics has made him not just an artist but an advocate for awareness and change.
Scarface’s personal life, including his battles with depression and health issues, has added a layer of depth to his persona. His resilience in facing these challenges head-on speaks to his strength and authenticity. These experiences have also shaped his music and resonated with fans who admire his unflinching honesty and realness.
Impact & Legacy: A Hip-Hop Icon
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Geto Boys legend Brad “Scarface” Jordan and Elliott Wilson. Speak at “Dairy of a Madman” book launch at PowerHouse Arena on April 22, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
Scarface’s true value lies in his monumental impact on hip-hop. His unique style and powerful storytelling influenced countless artists and shaped the genre. Scarface’s legacy is not defined by his financial standing but by his profound influence on the music industry and his status as one of the greatest rappers in hip-hop history.
From the origins of horrorcore rap being ultimately questioned, Memphis lies as a hidden gem in Southern hip-hop. This subgenre has influenced a distinct sound introducing artists such as Al Kapone, Tommy Wright III, DJ Zirk, and more. The Origin Of Horrorcore In the late 1980s, horrorcore rap emerged as a subgenre within hip-hop music, […]
Willie D created the “Geto Boys” podcast to include the group after gaining notoriety with his own, renowned “Willie D Live” podcast, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views since its launch in 2015. On the most recent episode of the Geto Boys podcast, Willie D confronted the group’s front man, Scarface, for not including him in the performance of “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” during the Grammys’ commemoration of Hi[ Hop’s 50th anniversary.
Willie D stated, “Slighted? I feel beyond slighted. Like what I’m tryna figure out is … First of all, I ask you Wednesday when we left here, I said, ‘What you got for the weekend?’ You said, ‘I’m finna go fuck with this Grammys thing.’ I said, ‘Alright man, safe travels.’ Because, you know, that’s how we do it. Saturday come, I’m online and an article comes across about the Grammys. And I see ‘Geto Boys and Scarface’ in the lineup.”
Scarface replied Willie D, “I can stand on my own two feet with no Geto Boys,” and Willie agreed. Willie then stated, “Remember I’m the one who said, ‘Hey man, you oughta call yourself Scarface.’ So I ain’t gon’ never hate on you. Never. When I see you win, I see Geto Boys win because we are a group.”
On this day in Hip-Hop History, Texas OGs The Geto Boys released their debut LP Making Trouble 31 years ago. Although the start of the career of one of the most prolific southern rap groups to ever grace the mic, this project may have been their least heard and most unknown album.
Coming at a time in the group’s history where they were referred to as the more conventionally spelled “Ghetto Boys”, this album showcased the lyrical ability of a then four-member underground group. At the time the group was composed of DJ Reddy Red of Trenton, NJ(RIP), Prince Johnny C, and the Slim Jukebox, with Bushwick Bill on the roster as a hypeman and a dancer. It wasn’t until after the release of this project that Rap-A-Lot Records dropped Reddy Red, Johnny C, and Slim Jukebox to add Scarface and Willie D.
On this project, the group used a style of rap and aesthetics that resembled the legends Run-DMC. The mimicry of the New York rap trio was deep. The group wore all black with top hats and thick gold chains, their music featured heavy rock influence with guitar riffs and high energy drum patterns, and their group dynamic of two emcees and a DJ is exactly what Run-DMC sported.
This album was not the most popular album from the Geto Boys camp, but it is, however, an interesting piece of the group’s history. This project shows the growth and development it took for the group to grow to become the legends that they are respected as today.
