Customer Reviews

Emeritus

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, I'll just mention I am a huge Scarface fan. And therefore, have high expectations. If you aren't familiar with his classic music, you have to listen to a few songs -- I Seen A Man Die, Now I Feel Ya, Mind Playin' Tricks, Hand of the Dead Body, In Between Us -- and definitely get his album, The Diary.

But back to his latest, and possibly last album. 'Face has nothing left to prove, and I'm alright with him going out on top of his game. This CD is a rare CD in the fact that it is dope from track #2 to track #13 (#1 and #14 are the intro and outro). It was interesting to listen to the raw deal he got during the intro...

My favorite standout tracks are:

Forgot About Me ft. Lil Wayne and Bun B
Can't Get Right
Who Are They
Soldier Story

But really there isn't a single song on this CD that doesn't knock. High Powered, Emeritus, High Note... The whole CD bangs. The beats are really outstanding. As a previous reviewer noted, the beats from each song flow together perfectly. The beats are just classic Scarface.

I would highly recommend this. It's hard to compare to other 'Face albums, I'd have to say I like them all. This is probably one of the best from beginning to end. The only drawback for me, there isn't a song on here that I just go 'WOW!' from. No really big hit song, like 'I Seen a Man Die' or 'Mind Playin Tricks' like the old 'Face.

But this is really one of the rare CD's that you can just pop in and let it play all the way through. Thanks for the memories 'Face, I'll miss you.

After rapping for over 22 years Face just keeps getting better. Threatening to retire, Scarface drops some classic heat to end out 2008. The album has the same format instrumental beginning and end and 12 songs. I didnt care for the intro this time because Lil J talked over the whole thing and the hook on SOLDIER STORY was a little weak to me. Other than that this album is dope. Scarface once again touches on many different topics and paints the picture in his rhymes better than anyone else. To top it off the production and guest appearances (Bun B, Weezy, Wacko, Bilal) are dope. Highly recommended album!!!!

Face has released a strong album with Emeritus. Every single song hits. Very solid production. Each song is beautifully produced with solid bass, mids, and vocals. Seriously. This CD will take full advantage of your entire sound system. Reminds me of the solid full sound of the Chronic. Rush out and buy it, don't download.

Check "It's Not a Game" and "Who Are They".

Personally, I have been a fan of Scarface's ever since I heard the track "Scarface". The track was featured on the first cassette that I ever heard Scarface on, which was "Grip It On That Other Level". His first solo recording, Mr. Scarface Is Back, was released in 1991. My other favorite Scarface recordings include 1997's Untouchable, 2002's The Fix and 1994's The Diary.

After coming out with two projects in 2006, My Homies 2 and The Product-One Hunid, Scarface returned with another solo CD in 2007 entitled MADE. It was obvious that Face still had the skills on the microphone with tracks like "Never", "Who Do You Beleive In?", "The Suicide Note", "Burn" and the radio friendly "Girl You Know", but as with all Scarface efforts, you always wonder what's next.

Well a year later, Scarface has returned with "Emeritus". As with all Rap A Lot projects, you're always expecting the J Prince intro. This time around, things get a little long winded. You figure if you haven't got his point by the 2 minute and 30 second mark, you'll never understand what J Prince is talking about. However, all is forgiven as soon as you hear the N.O. Joe beat to "High Powered". To anyone that thinks that Scarface still doesn't have skills, all I need them to do is listen to the track. Face has some strong words for Lil Troy on this track and if it's up to Face, Lil Troy won't be worried about any ballin', shot callin', or 20 inch rims on any Impala anytime soon. My favorite track is the Cool & Dre produced "Forgot About Me" which features Bun B and an inspired Lil Wayne. He must have felt bad after his lame verse on the "Big Dog Status (Remix)" that was featured on "Made". This time around, Lil Wayne contends with Scarface to see who has the best verse on the track. "Can't Get Right" is produced by Nottz and features Bilal. Scarface is one of the best ever when it comes to the introspective track. Everytime he tells a story about strugglin' and trying to come up, you can look back to a place in your life when you were going through the same thing. The thing is, even in 2008, the same struggle still goes on everyday. "Still Here" might as well be called "Dead Homiez Part 2". The track is basically a tribute or Scarface's own spin on the track that was originally featured on Ice Cube's "Kill At Will" EP. Scarface can still tell the tales of street life with the best of them. Illmind takes a stroll through the hood with Face on "It's Not A Game" which isn't too much different from "Still Here" as Face tells you what you're up against everyday with everyone in the streets being on the come up 24/7. Slim Thug and K Rino join Scarface on "Who Are They" which also features vocals by Porsha. The 3 MCs tell us a story about a particular female who was wanted by everyone back in the day, but over the years, her approval rating has dropped tremendously because of the way that she carried herself since then. They don't put it in such a nice way like I attempted to do though. Willie Hen & Malice of The Product, along with Z Ro, join Scarface on "Soldier's Story". This mellow street track has good lyrics but I have definitely heard better hooks from Z-Ro in the past, especially on "Get Throwed", which was on Bun B's solo album "Trill". "Redemption Song" has Face reminding us about his years in the game and once again telling any disbeliever what they are up against if they decide to test Face's tenure in the rap game. "High Note" is a kindler, gentler "F____ Faces" or "I Luv", which are well known Face featured tracks that talk about his tales with women. The title track sums up what could end up being Face's last solo album. After 20 years in the game, he has done enough to prove that he still has the skills that he had when he was first coming up in the rap game. However, we have heard plenty of times that Face wouldn't be releasing another solo CD. "We Need You" and "Unexpected" are decent songs but they aren't better than any of the songs that I have previously mentioned.

The only negative to this CD is that at times it sounds like Face has ran out of things to talk about and the subject matter can be repetitive. I know what you are thinking. In most cases, the subject matter on Scarface CD's rarely change. However, it's definitely easier to notice this time around. Overall, I think that you have another nice CD that you can add to the large Scarface CD collection, especially if you are including The Geto Boys CDs, both My Homies CDs, The Product, Facemob and even A G 2 A Ke. If you enjoyed 2007's "Made" and CDs such as The World Is Yours and The Last of a Dying Breed, then "Emeritus" should also be in your collection.


James' Top 5

1) Forgot About Me w/Bun B & Lil Wayne
2) High Powered
3) Can't Get Right w/Bilal
4) It's Not A Game
5) Still Here

Honorable Mention:

Emeritus
Who Are They w/Slim Thug & K Rino
Soldier Story w/The Product & Z-Ro
High Note
Redemption Song

Scarface returns with his 11th solo album, just 1 year after his last album (which is the quickest he's put out solo albums since '97-'98). Not to mention his half dozen or so Geto Boyz albums, and his albums with The Product and Facemob, the man is a legend not just of the south but in the rap game, being around for about 20 years. Though it is on the lower end of his solo albums, it's still worth 4 stars (which says alot of the quality of albums he puts out). Short, like most of his albums, with 12 songs, you get 2 that are ok, the other 10 are good, but no classics or near classic songs on this one. Guests are heavy for one of his albums, on all but 3 songs. Production is decent, not as good as he usually has though. N.O. Joe does 3 songs, Nottz & Illmind each do 2, Cool & Dre, Tone Capone, Jake One, Scram Jones, and Sha Money XL each do 1 song. A nice album for anyone who wants to hear a living legend in the rap game.

#2 - 8 (f/ Paparue)
#3 - 7.5 (f/ Lil Wayne & Bun B - annoying beat)
#4 - 8 (f/ Bilal)
#5 - 9 (f/ Shateish - nice beat)
#6 - 8.5 (f/ Tekia hicks)
#7 - 8.5 (f/ K-Rino, Slim Thug & Porsha)
#8 - 8.5 (f/ The Product {Will Hen & Young Malice} & Z-Ro)
#9 - 7.5
#10 - 8
#11 - 8.5 (f/ Wacko)
#12 - 8.5 (f/ Wacko)
#13 - 9

Brad Jordan --- b. 11/9/70 --- b. San Antonio, TX moved to Houston, TX
Check all my reviews

I have to admit that as I'm writing this I don't have too much to say about the album beyond a track that I would like to highlight.

Can't Get Right Ft. Bilal

It pretty much represents the reasons why Face is one of my favorite rappers of all time.
The final verse on this track was something truly inspired and I'm amazed that there are still rappers
in 2008 who can spit something that can impress me so much. All these years later and he seems to only
get better at what he does.

As Chris Rock puts it, you can't have a conversation about the top 3 rappers of all time without having
Face in the conversation -- otherwise you're having the wrong conversation.

Since this joint dropped in Dec 2008. I'm still saying it's the best for 2009 anyway because there hasn't been a cd equal to it this year. Scarface seems to keep it hardcore and kind of classy with songs like (10) "High Note". The music and beats compliment his style of rap perfectly. From the 3rd track on the cd really doessn't have a weak spot, except for maybe the guest rappers on (7) "Who are they" exactly. My personal favorites are (4) "Can't get it right" featuring Bilal and (05) Still here" featuring Shatefish's haunting vocals number (5) has alot of meaning and resonates on many levels. I heard the cleaned up version with muted curses, but either way its a good record.

Scarface appears to be a bit underated when the top Mc's of all time are considered, but he has to be in the top ten pound for pound all time at least. If indeed this is his last studio cd he went out at his height.

What a way to retire! Face is the true king of the south. Like what every other reviewer has been saying,you can play this album all the way through. The lyrics carry meaning in them and the beats are great. The only problem I have is listening to the overrated and annoying Lil Wayne,I just fast forward to Face's and Bun B's part off that song Forget about me. One of the best releases in 2008 along with Gza's Pro Tools. Anyways I highly recommended this album.

Face is in a class by himself with this one!!!! He is undoubtedly the best MC out period. The perfect blend consciousness & street sh@*! He totally embodies what an MC should be. He tells you about the hood and it's trappings without embellishing it. No over the top antics(aka..50 cent/ Rick Ross)like so many MC's today. From coast to coast and the midwest, you'll be hard pressed to find an rapper who is respected like Face(not even Biggie or Pac got love like Face has). Always the gentleman & quietly the gangsta. If he is truly leaving/ he left his best for last. Face is the Homie 4 Real!!!!!!!

love this album. says it might be his last. after almost more than 9 albums, hes about to retire. and if he does actually do it, he leaves on a great note. doesnt get better than this when youve had 9 consistent albums. i reccomend this to new comers and long time fans. face delivers that QUALITY!!