SCARFACE
"Made"
Released: Dec. 4, 2007 Genre: Hip-hop
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WHEN DOES BLATANT misogyny overrule somber but brilliant storytelling and a flow more powerful than the Mississippi?

It’s a question that plagues Houston rapper Scarface’s ninth solo album, “Made,” which otherwise lives up to the title in full.

“Made” starts off with a typical rambling intro but picks up speed with the first two actual songs, “Never” and “Big Dog Status.”

On those tracks, the long-time Geto Boy reminds us all that his demand for authority is still alive and kicking, even if the listener walks away feeling a bit bruised.

Whether contemplative or just plain angry, other new songs such as “Burn,” “The Suicide Note,” and “Who Do You Believe In?” exemplify the emotional imagery that Scarface is loved for, a trait shown on earlier tracks such as “I Seen a Man Die” (1994) and “Mary Jane” (1997).

Consider these lines from the album's musical highlight, “Who Do You Believe In?”:

Now if the ghetto ever made a change
It changed for the worse
But I love it so I write in tears
And pray til it hurts
Prick my fingers
Til the blood stains would cover the page
Wipe my eyes and look ahead
And hope to see better days

Create the land and the sea and man in your own image
If not, then I want all this bulls*** ended
Sending the kids to fight a war
That they ain't have to be in
Ask Saddam, sh** is dead
Let's see you f*** with them Koreans

But, unfortunately, Scarface’s music has a serious weakness, and that’s women. Whether it’s the occasional line in an otherwise satisfying track or — as in the case of “Made” — the occasional track in an otherwise adept album, Face’s expressions of misogyny prevent his work from truly reaching a level of lyrical gold.

While musically interesting, the single “Girl You Know” just isn’t enjoyable in terms of message or meaning, and the album’s most inessential track, “Git Out My Face,” consists of obnoxiously loud vocals and content too sexually explicit to quote in a high school publication. These passages deter from the overall message of the music, and make it difficult for the artist to be taken seriously even when raising good points later on.

Sonically, however, “Made” is excellent. The beats are complex and produced just enough to be polished but not overpowering.

Although he’s from Houston, Scarface’s music is free of the mind-numbingly slow-paced beats and indecipherable chopped and screwed vocals trademarked by the region. The aggression of his voice comes through the music to let you know he’s serious but doesn't overwhelm the songs.

If you hate hip-hop, this album won’t change your mind. Scarface has played on an old concept of beats and rhymes that won’t bring much new to the table for those looking for something experimental.

However, if you can look at the lyrics with a responsible attitude, "Made" might be worth your money. If only Scarface had done the same thing, he would have had produced a masterpiece.