Bobby Carter | December 18, 2023
Scarface’s Tiny Desk concert radiates with his decadeslong passion as an emcee and producer. There’s calculated intent behind every word and note of this 30-minute set and I learned that his love for golf also runs deep during our initial meeting. He was playing a round and had difficulty dividing his attention between the plan and the course. Three days before the show, amid rehearsals, I got a call from Facemob asking, “What if I brought Mike Dean?” My expectations were already high, but that final addition set the stage for something special.
Mike Dean provided unmatched authenticity, and their shared stories added sentimental value to this performance. After all, his signature keys and synths can be heard on most of Scarface’s classics and countless Rap-A-Lot records. Here, we get a rare glimpse of Scarface the conductor, bouncing through multiple eras of his catalog including “On My Block,” “Mary Jane” and the bone-chilling “I Seen a Man Die.”
Scarface, along with Rakim, was recently awarded the inaugural Hip-Hop Grandmaster Award from the newly launched Paid in Full Foundation, which includes a sizable financial prize and healthcare. No matter how the never-ending hip-hop greats debate is sliced, the rapper’s place is cemented as one of the most influential storytellers in the culture and his Tiny Desk is proof.
SET LIST
“On My Block”
“Mary Jane”
“Smile”
“I Seen a Man Die”
“F**k Faces”
“Mind Playing Tricks on Me”
MUSICIANS
Scarface: lead vocals, guitar
Mike Dean: keys
Steven “Spud” Howard: vocals
Takai “Cookie” Hicks: vocals
Peigh Jones: vocals, guitar
Corey “FunkaFingers” Stoot: guitar
Josh Henderson: keys
Jason “The Bishop” Allen: keys
Savar Martin: drums
Anthony “Antboogie” Nicholson: bass, musical direction
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director: Maia Stern
Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene, Michael Zamora
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
Im ecstatic for those who havent listened to his music to experience it in this way. This has carved a special place in my heart and I couldnt be happier for them to be here and where they are today. Beautiful performance, thank you.
Scarface reminds me of one of my brothers may his soul rest easy forsheezy, always had certain demeanor about him and charismatic too, kindhearted. CAFU I haven't stopped grieving used to call me his mentor he taught me everything from picking up girls to employing me with some of the clever mindset a dude could ever have I have never had a G conversation since then.
Undisputedly one of the best life performances done by any artist out there today.His raw infusion of emotion into every word,ryhm, syllable in every delivery is beyond comprehension.Facemob is G.O.A.T.
S.O from Cali love this , born In 91’. First hip hop track I had in a tape deck that I felt was mine was at 7 , 2 sided tape 24hrs to live and a couple others….ran that through so many times. Not a bad boy fn but tht was my intro to this great genre. Ups and downs but it has a story if you know where and who too listen to. Mexican American born much respecto for helping raising me OGs, thank you for the insight, taught me something my parents wouldn’t and couldn’t teach me at times
Goosebumps!!!!!! I'm from Coventry (UK C.O.V). Been a fan from early. Scarface has always been someone whose voice makes a track but this makes his words comes to life, he seemed to love this and I felt his energy. Good music is timeless. Merry Xmas!
That performance of Mary Jane was insane! Haha Scarface sitting there hitting hammer ons
I grew up listening to Scarface listening to his lyrics are deep. Definitely an icon!
Man, That smile performance got me tearing up…
That's my dog SCARFACE forever
So flame…the whole thing!
What a real talent, no tripping and not off key or forgetting lyrics. Thanks for this face
an experience ….. facemob ,icon… period..
Im ecstatic for those who havent listened to his music to experience it in this way. This has carved a special place in my heart and I couldnt be happier for them to be here and where they are today. Beautiful performance, thank you.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Beautiful.
Whew I love every minute of this! Much respect to Scarface❤
37 South African. Absolute magic this is
I'm in tears….
How to start you Christmas right
27:58
Scarface reminds me of one of my brothers may his soul rest easy forsheezy, always had certain demeanor about him and charismatic too, kindhearted. CAFU I haven't stopped grieving used to call me his mentor he taught me everything from picking up girls to employing me with some of the clever mindset a dude could ever have I have never had a G conversation since then.
This is the best with a live band❤❤❤❤
The last verse at 18:37 is honestly so beautiful
That whole band is Cold… That darn Mike Deen and Cookie
Undisputedly one of the best life performances done by any artist out there today.His raw infusion of emotion into every word,ryhm, syllable in every delivery is beyond comprehension.Facemob is G.O.A.T.
S.O from Cali love this , born In 91’. First hip hop track I had in a tape deck that I felt was mine was at 7 , 2 sided tape 24hrs to live and a couple others….ran that through so many times. Not a bad boy fn but tht was my intro to this great genre. Ups and downs but it has a story if you know where and who too listen to. Mexican American born much respecto for helping raising me OGs, thank you for the insight, taught me something my parents wouldn’t and couldn’t teach me at times
Beautiful
Man that Smile set BROUGHT ME TO TEARS
This Brother is BLESSED TO BE HERE!!! Scarface is the Moral compass of the culture!
Whole Artistry Vibes
I'm so happy my dad showed this to me, we sat down and just chilled thru the whole show together. Hip-Hop of this caliber needs to make a comeback!
❤. I needed this!
Goosebumps!!!!!! I'm from Coventry (UK C.O.V). Been a fan from early. Scarface has always been someone whose voice makes a track but this makes his words comes to life, he seemed to love this and I felt his energy. Good music is timeless. Merry Xmas!