Career
Having an interest in music as a child, Brad started out by producing songs under the banner of 'Short Stop Records', owned by American rapper, Lil' Troy. He adopted the pseudonym, 'DJ Akshen', later changing it to 'Scarface', inspired by the Al Pacino starrer of the same name.
In 1989, the budding rapper recorded the track, 'Scarface/Another Head Put To Rest', released by music producer Bruce "Grim" Rhodes. He soon signed a contract with 'Rap-A-Lot Records', meanwhile becoming a member of the rap group, 'Geto Boys', including rap artistes Bushwick Bill and Willie D.
Along with 'Geto Boys', in 1989, Scarface produced the record, 'Grip It! On That Other Level'. The album was a commercial hit, and though their songs were banned on the television and radio, they managed to become highly popular.
In 1991, he released his first solo album, 'Mr. Scarface Is Back', which was quite successful, ranking at number 51 at the 'Billboard 200'.
The talented rapper also collaborated with other artistes Bushwick Bill, and Ice Cube to lend his voice to 'Live and Let Die', the 1992 studio album of hip-hop singers DJ Polo and Kool G Rap.
In 1993, Scarface released his second album, 'The World Is Yours', which made it into the 'Billboard 200', but was not as popular as his debut record.
The following year, 'The Diary' was released, which included hits like, 'Hand of the Dead Body' and 'I Seen a Man Die', reaching the second position at the 'Billboard 200'.
During 1997-98, two more albums, 'The Untouchable' and 'My Homies', were produced. Both albums reached their peak of success with the number one spot at the 'Billboard' charts.
Scarface contributed three 'Geto Boys' tracks, 'Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta' and 'Still' to the 1999 Mike Judge movie, 'Office Space'. He even lent one of his singles, 'No Tears' for the same movie.
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In 2000, he was appointed the head of the southern branch of 'Def Jam Recordings'. As the president, it was Scarface who was responsible for launching famous American rapper Ludacris' career.
The same year, he released the album, 'The Last of a Dying Breed', which might not have been popular with his fan base, but it definitely became a huge success with music critics.
In 2002, the eminent rapper produced the solo album, 'The Fix', along with a 'Geto Boys' record, 'The Foundation'. During the same time he also collaborated with singers Akon and Big Gee to contribute to a posthumous album of famous rap artiste The Notorious B.I.G., titled 'The Biggie Duets'.
From 2003-07, he released three solo albums, 'Balls and My Word', 'My Homies Part 2', and 'Made'. During the same period, he was also cast in director Mike Judge's movie, 'Idiocracy'.
In 2008, Scarface's record, 'Emeritus' was brought out, produced by the U.S. based 'Rap-a-Lot Record'. The album, including songs like 'Forgot About Me', and 'Redemption Song', amongst others, became a hit with critics across the globe.
Around the same time, he also worked with singer Tech N9ne, for the song, 'Pillow Talkin', from the latter's production, 'Killer'.
In the next few years, he worked in association with several artistes, including, Ice Cube, John Legend, Eminem, Drake, and Freeway, amongst others. He was also featured in the 3D wrestling computer games, 'Def Jam Vendetta' and 'Def Jam: Fight for NY'.
Recently, he published a book named, ‘Diary of a Madman’, where he talks extensively about his musical career.
