Scarface Talks ‘The Fix’ Album, Jay-Z Saving His Life, And Chemistry With Kanye West

The early aughts marked a period of transition in the world, with the turn of the century serving as a timestamp for new beginnings and opportunities That era saw rap vet Scarface making moves, forging uncharted ground, and taking leaps of uncertainty that would ultimately pay longterm dividends while simultaneously adding to his legacy. After spending the entirety of his music career in the familiarity of his longtime label home, Rap-A-Lot, the Hip-Hop legend found himself at a career crossroads.

After releasing his first six solo albums and cementing himself as the most esteemed southern rap artist in the game, Scarface looked to embark on a new journey beyond the booth. In September 1999, Russell Simmons offered him the role of President of Def Jam South, an imprint under Def Jam Records. Face—who officially began operating as President in 2000—voiced his excitement in helping build the label into a powerhouse. “I want to take over what’s going on in the South right now and make sure they’re getting their just due,” the Houston native said at the time, likening himself to the head of a professional sports franchise. “I got me my own basketball team now. I just gotta get some good players.”

And that he did. The newfound music executive signed rapper Ludacris—who would release multiple multiplatinum albums during Face’s tenure—and attempting to ink a deal with future stars like T.I. However, once he settled into his role, Scarface chose to serve double-duty and actually become an artist on the Def Jam South roster himself. He released his seventh studio album, The Fix, on the label in 2002. After debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, The Fix became a critical success. It gained rave reviews and was hailed by fans and pundits as one of Scarface’s finest works to date. Featuring guest appearances from Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Nas, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, and WC, the album included an all-star lineup of producers like The Neptunes, Nottz, Mike Dean, Nashiem Myrick, and more. The Fix is remembered as a bonafide classic and is credited with bridging the gap between his older audience and a new generation of listeners who were introduced to him while listening to the album.