|
|
|
Artist: The Game
Album: The Documentary
Label: Aftermath
Rating: *****
While many words can be used to describe The Game, the
most accurate one may be "anticipation." As if being the
latest protégé to Dr. Dre wasn't enough, he
was later added as a member of G-Unit, and he's also
emerged as one of the industry's premier sh-t talkers
with disses toward everyone from Joe Budden to Yukmouth.
Releasing a slew of mixtapes and labeling himself as the
saving grace of West Coast rap, the Compton-bred MC has
done a commendable job of getting attention. The Game
backs up his tough talk with The Documentary, an
exemplary debut album and the best G-Unit effort since
50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin'.
The most important quality that Game exhibits with his
debut is his distinctive rhyme style. Tracks like the
singles "Westside Story" and "How We Do" feature him
illustrating Westside calling cards like Dickies,
Impalas, Converses, and his beloved Blood-wear. His
verses are also saturated with numerous namedrops and
references, and while this is certainly a hit or miss
technique, quotes like "more hate in my heart than Pac
had for Delores Tucker" and "I'm 'Ruthless,' and I ain't
talking bout the label" show a knowledge of hip-hop
history that most new artists can't even shake a finger
at.
Aside from his flossing and gangsterisms, Game also
brings enough real talk to keep the disc from falling
into formulaic purgatory. "Don't Need Your Love" and
"Start From Scratch" show an autobiographical Game, the
latter being a drunken reflection of slip-ups prior to
his deal. "Don't Worry" is an affectionate duet with
Mary J. Blige chronicling a relationship burdened by
incarceration, and "Like Father, Like Son" features a
touching recollection of his son's birth, complete with
a perfectly-placed Busta Rhymes on the hook.
The Documentary also boasts an all-star
supporting cast, with each contributor contribute
playing their best rather than simply chasing a check.
The disc is a production wet dream, with tracks lended
by nearly every A-list producer in the industry. Whether
it's Kanye's concoction of sputtering drums and strings
on "Dreams," Timbaland's triumphant revival with "Put
You On The Game," or Just Blaze's flawless blend of his
signature dynamic flair and a sample from N.W.A.'s "Gangsta,
Gangsta," musically, this is one of the most consistent
albums released in recent times. Add a show-stopping
Eminem appearance ("We Ain’t"), notable G-Unit cameos
(50 Cent verses on "Hate It Or Love It" and "How We Do,"
and a surprisingly sick 16 bars from Tony Yayo), a Nate
Dogg cameo (actually two, "Special" and "Where I'm
From") and five Dr. Dre productions (with co-producers
Scott Storch, Mike Elizondo and Mark Batson), and you've
got Get Rich Or Die Tryin' II—sans filler.
With his debut album, The Game displays the qualities an
up-and-coming artist should have: a respect for his
past, his own style, and the confidence to keep it going
for the future. While only time will tell if The
Documentary is a classic, it shows potential for a
hell of a career.
Check out the Game's biography
[click
here] |
|
 |
Copyright © 2005 Rapcity
by:ooza
|
|
Links |
|
 |
|
