Stone cold classic from Scarface reissued. 1994's The Diary might best be known for the single "I Seen A Man Die" (at least to this Cali boy), but the whole album is certainly worth a revisit, even if you're not from the "H". As one of the few albums to ever get a perfect score in both The Source and XXL, you can bet the beats and raps are on point throughout, plus Scarface does an excellent job balancing story telling with some poignant messages tucked under the surface. See what I mean on "Hand Of The Dead Body" with a young Devin The Dude on the hook and Ice Cube with a guest verse. Other highlights include a revisit of the Geto Boys classic "Mind Playin Tricks," "The White Sheet," "No Tears," and "One." A prime example of Houston gangster rap.

• music label: Rap-A-Lot 1994 / 2014

reviewed by King Of The Ill 07/2014