Released: 1994
“I Seen a Man Die” by Scarface, a compelling narrative of life, death, and regret, takes the listener on a poignant journey through the often brutal realities of street life. The song wrestles with the struggles of reintegration into society after imprisonment, the heartbreaking cycle of violence in impoverished communities, and the profound realization around the mortality and the morality of one’s actions. Hip-hop often serves as a mirror to society, and this track reflects some of the darkest corners.
The opening verse sets the scene: a man steps out of prison after serving a seven-year sentence, hopes high, but odds stacked against him. He’s black and ‘came up in the system’, highlighting the persisting racial social disparities. Despite these roadblocks, he’s determined to steer his life towards a positive path. But the allure of quick success, influenced by a ‘homie’ living lavishly, leads him back to the violent cycle he’d hoped to escape, resulting in him taking a life himself, and feeling the burden of his actions.
“I never understood why / I could never see a man cry ’til I seen a man die” – this haunting refrain underlines the intense emotions and harsh realities experienced by the man in the story; a sentiment echoed in communities across the world where violence is an everyday struggle.
In the second verse, Scarface takes us into a chilling death scene – envisioning peace at the moment of death and the idea of life flashing before your eyes. He uses graphic details to create an image of a man taking his last breath, facing his mortality and the eternal afterlife. There’s a strong suggestion of the transience of earthly matters: you can ‘take a man’s life, but not his memories’ points to the enduring impact of one’s life, regardless of how it ends.
The final verse depicts a conversation between the dying man and the ‘reaper’. In this climactic moment, Scarface urges the listener to contemplate their own life and actions before it’s too late to ‘patch it up’ with God. The song concludes on an elegiac note, emphasizing the theme of acceptance of death, and the peace that potentially follows when one is not scared to die.
“I Seen a Man Die” is a gripping exploration of life and death’s cycle, leaving the listener to ponder the realities of life in the streets, the cost of choices made, and the irrevocable consequence of actions. All delivered rhythmically in Scarface’s distinctively chilling storytelling style.
