One of the true classic albums from this decade is Scarface’s The Fix. Last night, I decided to put it in the stereo and let it ride out. Obviously, I knew it was a good decision before I pressed play, but I also realized something else. While “What Can I Do?” remains my favorite track from the album, Face managed to release one of the best singles…ever.

“My Block” happens to be the perfect ode to the neighborhood one experienced many of life’s ups and downs. On a soulful, feel-good instrumental, ‘Face painted the perfect picture of his life maturing from a young boy to a grown man. Even while he enjoyed the fruits of his labor in the rap game, he was still able to paint a vivid picture with potent lyrics, something many rappers fail to accomplish at any point in their career.

On my block, everybody business ain’t ya business
What’s goin on in this house is stayin here, comprende?
On my block, ya had to have that understanding
Cuz if ya told Ms. Mattie, she went and told Gladys
And once ya mama got it, it was all on the wire
And when the word got back, the set yo’ ass on fire
On my block, we got some ‘Nam vets shell-shocked
Who never quite got right, now they inhale rocks
On my block – it’s like the world don’t exist
We stay confined to this small little section we livin in

You see what I mean? Close your eyes and you can damn near picture that scene. Without knocking anyone in particular, I doubt very seriously we’d be able to see a single like this again. It wasn’t meant for the clubs, it wasn’t mean to incite a riot, but if you weren’t careful you could catch yourself two-steppin’ to this audio scrapbook.

Shout out to Scarface, undoubtedly top five dead or alive.