Scarface, 51, Happy to be Alive: "I Was On My Deathbed..." - BlackDoctor.org

Brad Terrence Jordan, better known as Scarface, always had a signature look and style about him. After all, it is because of his impressive word delivery style that landed him on the list of the 50 Greatest MC’s of our time.

Yet despite his awards and accolades in music, it’s his health that has taken it’s toll. Now, age 51, Scarface just battled COVID-19 and is now is the best shape of his life. When looking back over his life, he’s grateful to be alive because he was literally on his deathbed. He had to come to a point in his life where he had to change up his style of eating, exercise and everything to improve his health. Even his mental health was at risk.

“It was serious, man. I wanted to die back then,” explains Scarface. “And if you ask me why … I can honestly tell you I don’t know. I have no idea. Maybe I felt worthless.” Luckily, he explained, he moved beyond those thoughts.

After being diagnosed as manic depressive when he was only 12 years old, his mental health has improved in recent years. Face says he is taking the journey one day at a time.

“Some days are better than others,” he said. “Even right now, yeah. But I know I want to live. And now when I look back upon that dark time, now that I’m alive, I thank God for forgiving me for trying to take something as precious as my life. He’s merciful.”

Scarface started at 291 pounds and is currently close to getting back to 185. How he did it isn’t as important as to the reason why he did it.

“I was at stroke level,” admitted the Houston MC. “I had it all: congestive heart failure, malignant high blood pressure, kidney damage, enlarged heart, sleep apnea, borderline diabetic, etc. My life was threatened. So if someone in the street threatens my life, he better make good on it. Because I have to kill him or he’s going to kill me. So I had to kill bad health.”

“My doctor told me that I would have a massive heart attack,” Scarface continued. “That along with other stuff that I wanted to be around for and here to see pushed me. I’m doing whatever it takes to lose weight. “I think people struggle with their weight because they don’t want to grind. It’s really a portion control thing and it’s unfortunate that I had to learn it on my deathbed. I had to learn to eat to live instead of live to eat.”

Scarface Faces Biggest Battle with Kidney Transplant

In 2020, the Houston legend was forced to be bedridden for weeks due to COVID and was isolated from his family. At one point, doctors determined he had kidney failure and needed a transplant. The search for a match began last Fall and ultimately, Scarface’s son Chris was a match.

“I need a kidney y’all any volunteers? B+ blood type,” Scarface tweeted earlier this year before his son stepped up and came to the rescue.

“COVID attacked my lungs first, and then it attacked my kidneys and knocked them out,”
Scarface told HipHop Wired. “I got full lung recovery, but my kidneys never came back … I’m still a little weak. I don’t have a lot of strength in my legs yet. I still haven’t got full taste back and sense of smell yet. But I am glad to be alive.”

Scarface’s son Chris Jordan took to Instagram to share the good news of his father’s successful surgery.

Rap-A-Lot founder J. Prince also shared a positive message updating fans about Face’s status, emphasizing how much his son Chris loves him.

“Congrats to my brother @brothermob & his son @_iamchrisjordan for giving his father one of his kidneys,” he wrote in the caption of the post. “I celebrate with the both of you for being an example of unending love. Chris, many people talk about how much they love your dad, but you have separated yourself from the talkers by your actions. We all salute the both of you and wish you both a speedy recovery.”

What’s Next for Scarface?

Now that he’s not only lost weight but made a lifestyle change, Scarface is happier, healthier and living life on his own terms, including playing golf. And he’s pretty good at it too.