Some albums age. Others just harden into scripture. Scarface’s The Diary belongs firmly in the second category, and today Rap-A-Lot Records is giving it the vinyl treatment it deserves as part of the label’s yearlong 40th anniversary celebration.

Originally released in 1994, The Diary is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever recorded, and remains the defining chapter in Scarface’s catalog. It’s the record that cemented the Houston legend’s reputation as one of the genre’s most unflinching storytellers, home to touchstones like “I Seen A Man Die,” “Hand Of The Dead Body,” and “No Tears.” More than three decades later, it still reads like a novel you can’t put down.

The new pressing arrives in several collector vinyl variants and — for the diehards who thought they’d heard everything — includes “Ease Up Now,” a previously unreleased Scarface recording pulled from the Rap-A-Lot archives. Consider it a bonus chapter tucked into the back of the diary.

Founded by James Prince in 1986, Rap-A-Lot Records helped architect Southern hip-hop and drew the blueprint for independent success that generations of artists and labels have been building on ever since. The label’s 40th anniversary rollout continues throughout 2026 with a slate of special vinyl releases and celebrations.

“Forty years later, we’re still standing on the same principles — independence, ownership, and building something that lasts,” said James Prince. “Rap-A-Lot was never about following trends, it was about setting a foundation. What we built continues to influence the culture, and we’re still adding to that legacy.”

Next up on the anniversary calendar: the Geto Boys’ platinum-selling classic We Can’t Be Stopped returns to vinyl on July 10, currently available for pre-order.

Whether you’re revisiting a formative record or hearing it clean through for the first time, The Diary is essential listening. Stream Scarface’s The Diary on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/search/Scarface%20The%20Diary

Grab your copy of the new vinyl edition today and add a piece of hip-hop history to the shelf.