The Diary (Scarface album)

Last updated
The Diary
Scarface - The Diary.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 18, 1994
Genre
Length43:13
Label
Producer
Scarface chronology
The World Is Yours
(1993)
The Diary
(1994)
The Untouchable
(1997)
Singles from The Diary
  1. "I Seen a Man Die"
    Released: September 27, 1994
  2. "Hand of the Dead Body"
    Released: February 7, 1995
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly B [3]
Pitchfork 9.3/10 [4]
RapReviews(9.5/10) [5]
The Source 5/5 [6]
Robert Christgau Scissors icon black.svg [7]
Rolling Stone (favorable) [8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]
XXL 5/5 [10]

The Diary is the third studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on October 18, 1994, by Rap-A-Lot and Noo Trybe. This album is one of the few to receive a perfect rating from both The Source and XXL . The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA on December 5, 1994.

Contents

Two singles were released from the album, "Hand of the Dead Body", which featured Ice Cube and Devin the Dude, peaked at 74 on the US charts, while "I Seen a Man Die" peaked at 37 on the US charts, becoming his first top 40 hit. Due to business reasons and for more accessibility, both track titles were changed to "People Don't Believe" and "Never Seen a Man Cry" in their single version. The song "No Tears" was featured in the beginning of the 1999 film Office Space .

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro"1:07
2."The White Sheet" N.O. Joe 3:53
3."No Tears"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Scarface
2:26
4."Jesse James"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Scarface
  • Mike Dean
4:13
5."G's"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Mike Dean
4:39
6."I Seen a Man Die"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Scarface
  • Mike Dean
4:32
7."One"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Mike Dean
4:43
8."Goin' Down"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Scarface
  • Mike Dean
  • Uncle Eddie
4:28
9."One Time (Interlude)"Mike Dean0:58
10."Hand of the Dead Body" (featuring Ice Cube and Devin the Dude)
  • N.O. Joe
  • Scarface
  • Mike Dean
  • Uncle Eddie
4:39
11."Mind Playin' Tricks '94"
  • N.O. Joe
  • Mike Dean
3:40
12."The Diary"N.O. Joe2:23
13."Outro"Uncle Eddie1:30
Total length:43:13

Samples

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [16] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre is heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It is represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).

<i>... And Then There Was X</i> 1999 studio album by DMX

...And Then There Was X is the third studio album by American rapper DMX. The album was released on December 21, 1999, by The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2001 Grammys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bun B</span> American rapper

Bernard James Freeman, known professionally as Bun B, is an American rapper. He is best known as one half of the southern rap duo UGK, a group he formed in 1987 alongside Pimp C. Aside from his work with UGK, Bun B has released five solo albums, including 2010's Trill OG, which received the rare 5-mic rating from The Source.

<i>Mr. Scarface Is Back</i> 1991 studio album by Scarface

Mr. Scarface Is Back is the debut studio album by the American rapper Scarface. It was released on October 8, 1991, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Priority Records. The album was supported by two singles: "Mr. Scarface" and "A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die". Both attained minor success on the charts.

<i>The World Is Yours</i> (Scarface album) 1993 studio album by Scarface

The World Is Yours is the second studio album by American rapper Scarface. It was released on August 17, 1993, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Priority Records. The album was not as acclaimed as his debut, Mr. Scarface Is Back, but sold strongly, breaking into the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and peaking at number 1 on the R&B/hip hop album chart. "Let Me Roll" became a Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1993. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 20, 1993.

<i>The Untouchable</i> (Scarface album) 1997 studio album by Scarface

The Untouchable is the fourth studio album by American rapper Scarface, released by Rap-A-Lot Records and Noo Trybe Records on March 11, 1997.

<i>My Homies</i> 1998 studio album by Scarface

My Homies is the fifth studio album by an American rapper Scarface. It was released March 3, 1998, by Rap-A-Lot and Virgin Records. The album features production by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, N.O. Joe, Scarface, and Tone Capone. Upon its release, My Homies peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard 200, becoming a certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as of April 6, 1998. The album features guest performances from 2Pac, Master P, Ice Cube, Devin the Dude, B-Legit, UGK, Too Short, Do or Die, and Willie D. Scarface appeared solo onto two out of thirty songs, while performing with others on thirteen and does not contribute vocals on fifteen. The sequel to the album, My Homies Part 2, was released on March 7, 2006.

<i>The Last of a Dying Breed</i> 2000 studio album by Scarface

The Last of a Dying Breed is the sixth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on October 3, 2000, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Virgin Records. The album was less successful commercially than his last few efforts, but more successful critically. It debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 133,972 copies in its first week being certified Gold by the RIAA.

<i>The Fix</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Scarface

The Fix is the seventh studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on August 6, 2002. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, with well over 160,000 copies sold in its 1st week. Guest artists on the album include Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Nas, Faith Evans, and WC. Producers include Mike Dean, Kanye West, Tony Pizarro, Nottz, and The Neptunes. Upon release, The Fix was met with critical acclaim.

<i>Balls and My Word</i> 2003 compilation album by Scarface

Balls and My Word is a compilation album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on April 8, 2003, through Rap-A-Lot Records. Rap-A-Lot CEO, James Prince organized a studio album of unreleased songs recorded by Scarface that were outtakes from previous albums. The album failed to match the success of Scarface's previous album, becoming only a minor success, having peaked at 20 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Rotten Apple</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Lloyd Banks

Rotten Apple is the second studio album by American rapper Lloyd Banks, released October 10, 2006 via G-Unit and Interscope. The title of the album is a play on the New York City nickname, "The Big Apple". 50 Cent's song "Rotten Apple" is on his mixtape Guess Who's Back? (2002) and should not be confused with Banks' song of the same name on this album. Rotten Apple Entertainment is also the name of Banks' former label owned by 50 Cent in the past. The album cover also resembles the cover of the film, King of New York.

<i>Pimpalation</i> 2006 studio album by Pimp C

Pimpalation is the second studio album by American rapper Pimp C from UGK. It was released on July 11, 2006, by Rap-A-Lot, Asylum, and Atlantic Records, making it the rapper's last solo album to be released during his lifetime. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House of Hits, at M.A.D. Studios and Studio 7303 in Houston and at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by several record producers, including Mr. Lee, Mike Dean, Jazze Pha and Mannie Fresh. The chopped and screwed version of the album was mixed by DJ Michael "5000" Watts. The album features a large number of guest performers, such as 8Ball & MJG, ABN, Ali & Gipp, Big Mike, Bun B, Chamillionaire, J. Prince, Lil' Boosie, Lil' Keke, Mike Jones, Scarface, Slim Thug, Tela, Webbie, and Willie D among others.

<i>Made</i> (Scarface album) 2007 studio album by Scarface

Made is the ninth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on December 4, 2007, by Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album was both critically and commercially successful, making it to 17 on the Billboard 200 and 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. One single was released, "Girl You Know" featuring R&B singer, Trey Songz, which became a minor hit on the R&B charts.

<i>The Great Depression</i> (DMX album) 2001 studio album by DMX

The Great Depression is the fourth studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on October 23, 2001 by Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Just Blaze, Dame Grease, Black Key and DMX himself. The album also features guest appearances by Stephanie Mills, Faith Evans and Mashonda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Seen a Man Die</span> 1994 single by Scarface

"I Seen a Man Die", also known as "I Never Seen a Man Cry", is the first single released from Scarface's third album, The Diary. Produced by N.O. Joe, Mike Dean and Scarface himself, "I Seen a Man Die" became a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, the first of two that Scarface had in his career. It peaked at 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is a tale of a young male released from prison after seven years looking for a better life only to get caught up on the crime side again and robbed by his enemies. He dies in the hospital, regretful of his life decisions. The song also has a music video released that mirrors Scarface's lyrics.

<i>Nothing Was the Same</i> 2013 studio album by Drake

Nothing Was the Same is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on September 24, 2013, through OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. Work on the record began in 2012 and continued through 2013. As an executive producer, Drake enlisted collaborators such as 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Majid Jordan, Jay-Z, Jhené Aiko and Sampha for guest appearances on the album. The album's production was primarily handled by 40 and other OVO Sound producers; including Boi-1da, Mike Zombie, Nineteen85 and Detail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tink (musician)</span> American rapper and singer

Trinity Laure'Ale Home , better known by her stage name Tink, is an American rapper and R&B singer from Chicago, Illinois. She signed with record producer Timbaland's Mosley Music Group, an imprint of Epic Records to release her 2014 debut single, "Treat Me Like Somebody". Her 2015 single, "Million", entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100. Both produced by Timbaland, the songs were intended to precede her debut studio album Think Tink, although disagreements with the producer led her to part ways with the label in 2017.

<i>Deeply Rooted</i> 2015 studio album by Scarface

Deeply Rooted is the eleventh solo studio album by American rapper Scarface. It was released on September 4, 2015 via Facemob Music.

<i>Port of Miami</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Rick Ross

Port of Miami is the debut studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. Originally titled Career Criminal, the album was renamed, in reference to Miami being a major arrival destination for cocaine shipments to America. The album was released August 8, 2006, on Poe Boy Entertainment, Slip-n-Slide Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album was engineered by Miami-based songwriting and production team The Monsters & The Strangerz. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 187,000 copies sold in its first week.

<i>Ready to Die</i> Debut album by the Notorious B.I.G.

Ready to Die is the debut studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994, by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. The album features productions by Bad Boy founder Sean "Puffy" Combs, Easy Mo Bee, Chucky Thompson, DJ Premier, and Lord Finesse, among others. It was recorded from 1993 to 1994 at The Hit Factory and D&D Studios in New York City. The partly autobiographical album tells the story of the rapper's experiences as a young criminal, and was the only studio album released during his lifetime, as he was murdered sixteen days before the release of his second album Life After Death in 1997. The album features a sole guest appearance from Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man.

References

  1. Birchmeier, Jason (October 18, 1994). "The Diary - Scarface | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  2. Preston, Rohan (November 10, 1994). "Scarface The Diary (Rap-a-Lot) (STAR)(STAR) 1/2..." Articles.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  3. Ehrlich, Dimitri (December 2, 1994). "The Diary". EW.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  4. Abdurraqib, Hanif (March 4, 2018). "Scarface: The Diary Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  5. "Scarface :: The Diary :: Rap-A-Lot Records". Rapreviews.com. April 13, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  6. "The Source's 5 Mic Albums on Lists of Bests". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on February 27, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  7. "CG: Scarface". Robert Christgau. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  8. Scarface (December 29, 1994). "Scarface: The Diary : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on November 25, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  9. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide . New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p.  329. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone geto boys album guide.
  10. XXL (December 2007). "Retrospective: XXL Albums". XXL Magazine.
  11. "Scarface Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  12. "Scarface Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  13. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  14. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  15. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  16. "American album certifications – Scarface – The Diary". Recording Industry Association of America.