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Album Reviews: The Game - Discography

The Game sums up The Documentary, his debut album, with a line on "We Ain't" (an Eminem-produced track): "How could I not do a million / rhyming on Dre's hits".  In other words, the production is superb but The Game is mediocre.

I've never been too impressed with Game lyrically. Every once in awhile I like his flow, but even then he doesn't seem to say much. When listening to some of his labelmates (like Eminem, 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks), the lyrical talent is evident - and the strong production just enhances it. I don't find the clever lines and creative delivery with The Game. He's not bad, really, but he's just not good.

That said, the album is pretty good - I just wouldn't put it in the same echelon as some of the other Shady/Aftermath albums. The production is absolutely superb (Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Timbaland, Hi-Tek, Just Blaze, etc), and the impeccable beats are helped out by great hooks delivered by the likes of Eminem, 50 Cent, Nate Dogg and Busta Rhymes.

Many will probably already have heard the current single, “How We Do”. Other notable tracks include the forementioned “We Ain't”, “Hate It or Love It”, and “Like Father Like Son”. The production promises an album full of hit singles. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Dre-produced “Start From Scratch”.

The big problem I have with this album is that, when it does shine, it's despite The Game not because of him.

Update: The Game has been thrown out of G-Unit and is now beefing with 50 Cent. Police Fear More Rap Violence.

Only published comments... Feb 02 2005, 12:27 PM by Tim
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TrackBack said:

February 2, 2005 12:27 PM
 

Pacaveli said:

Sum Of These Reviewz R Fuckin Liez Man, The Game Iz Fillin The Void Man, Im Talkin Westcoast, Game's Album Is Ill Get It If U Disapointed Wiv It Sumat Up Wiv Ur Fuckin Head
February 18, 2005 5:16 AM
 

S.Quisit said:

I agree, the Games album is nothin spectacular, but its not bad either. Its evident that his lyrical ability can't match with his crew members (50, Lloyd Banks), but hes not as bad as, Joe Buddenz for example. I give this cd a 8/10...based solely on the great production, and on the occasional hott line or two.
February 22, 2005 7:09 PM
 

Bx Kid said:

YO THIS CD IS SICK I DON't KNOW WHAT THE FUCK THESE REVIEWERS ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT GAME IS LYRICALLY MEDICORE, SUHT THE FUCK UP U JELOUS NUT BAG!

"if you cross my T
i dot your I's
you'd do life in a cementary
ill do mine with Shyne"
- Game

RAP CRITICS WANNA SUCK SO MUCH DICK MAN, THIS CD GETS 9/10 AND ITS NOT BECAUSE OF PRODUCTION U SHIT BAGS.
March 3, 2005 5:03 PM
   

TrackBack said:

March 3, 2005 6:30 PM
   

TrackBack said:

March 3, 2005 6:41 PM
 

Kyle said:

I have to agree with the above whacko, I think Game has some very tight rhymes on The Documentery like from the song Running -

Now she begs for God's Mercy because she don't listen to Nas,
never heard about Ike with the Iverson Jersey,
he got a cousin named Jayson that Rock the Gary Payton,
now the same trifling bitch is an HIV Patient.

that line is better then most of 50's crap, especially anything from the horrid Candyshop or Piggy Bank.
March 12, 2005 2:07 PM
 

carla,lisa,chlo said:

sum game songs r gud sum r shit on hes album uz 3 tink hes buff
candy shop iz wink. tb
March 14, 2005 5:54 AM
 

TrackBack said:

When I was hip-hop director of my college radio station in 1999, I received a promo copy of 50 Cent's...
March 14, 2005 8:30 AM
 

Maya said:

This cd is off tha chain 50 cent is garbage hes a gimick nothin else Game is real hes genuine and you can feel that when he raps
May 12, 2005 5:23 PM
 

MC Ya Motha said:

Yo Tim, Kyle, Bx Kid, S Quisit, Pacaveli, All of you'z r punk *** motha fuckers, u can all suck ya mothaz azz hole.

N Carla,Lisa,Chio, you'z some punk azz bitchaz too, you can suck each othaz azz hole.

Punk ***.
June 10, 2005 9:36 AM
 

mc ripper said:

shut da *** up all of u. 50 CENT iz a DON and hes da king of bling.its *** heads like you dat put him down.his c-d is phatt and he iz a true pimp.hes wicked man.peace out
July 5, 2005 3:45 AM
 

whitestwidow said:

i have to say, untold story part 2 is pretty good...but it is mostly cuz of dre helpin him out. if dre and shady didnt have anything to do with him, he would be Horrible. he is nothing compared to g-unit, in the least. his ryhmes r not nearly as effective as 50, lloyd, buc, or even yayo...think bout it long and hard when ur actually 'listening' to ur music. later.
July 26, 2005 10:06 AM
 

*** said:

the game best songs = dreams , hate it or love it , how we do , we aint , 300 bars and runnin ; like father like son ,westside story , higher and some of his disses

50 s best songs = the whole get rich or die tryin(19 songs ) , al of his disses ( over 10 )
just a lil bit , piggy bank , ryder music , disco inferno , candy shop ,my toy soldiers,
gatmen and robin , outtaaa control , out of control ,

who s better ?
you fuckin decide
August 17, 2005 4:12 AM
 

*** said:

the game best songs = dreams , hate it or love it , how we do , we aint , 300 bars and runnin ; like father like son ,westside story , higher and some of his disses

50 s best songs = the whole get rich or die tryin(19 songs ) , al of his disses ( over 10 )
just a lil bit , piggy bank , ryder music , disco inferno , candy shop ,my toy soldiers,
gatmen and robin , outtaaa control , out of control ,

who s better ?
you fuckin decide
August 17, 2005 4:12 AM
 

D said:

anyone know the name of a song game mad dissin 50. the song uses the "just a lil bit" beat.

the first couple bars go like this:
"STEP UP IN DA CLUB DA LIKE WHO U WIT. IM SIGNED 2 DOCTOR DRE NOT G-UNIT."

the chours is:
"B***HES ONLY FEEL UR S**T JUST A LIL BIT. NI**AS ONLY FEEL UR S**T JUST A LIL BIT. THE HOOD ONLY FEEL UR S**T JUST A LIL BIT. STOP THE SINGING LETS GET BACK 2 SOME KILLA S**T"

if u get it email it to me at kn0wl34g3@a0l.com

OHH AND GAME IS BETTER!
September 9, 2005 10:44 AM
 

masta T said:

YO YO YO YO
GAme has produced over 20 dis tapes of 50 their all sick "50 rulez" dont even know what the *** u talkin bout, GAME is sick so all u hater bitches stop stepping on his toes and get ur face off 50's nuts hes gone soft like a wet ***
October 13, 2005 9:26 PM
 

Rici said:

listen game is the real gangsta fifty do nothin` because he be afraid of game
December 8, 2005 11:44 AM
 

The Philosophy said:

straight up, 50 can make money no doubt and he does it better than the Game...but 50 is what made rap a totally different thing, when da true legends of rap (2pac & Biggie) they were true lyricsts, basically i think if you wanna be down with 50 your not listening to rap your listening to commercial rap and dats not real rap...however, the game can sell less, cuz of the rap game totally changed now its all about commercial...the game is bringin back what true rap is...the game can do more than fine working wit Dr. Dre alone...50 is the worst out of G-Unit everyone else can have some true lyrics
December 23, 2005 9:58 AM
   

Tim said:

The Philosophy -

The difference, I think, is that 50 Cent was not a "commercial" rapper from day on. Remember, he was a big on the mixtape circuit. You might argue that he sold out - and I would agree that G-Unit epitomizes commercial rap today - but he was self-made in that sense.

But then, how can you say The Game is a "real" rapper? Regardless of talent you may think he has, he was not a big underground rapper, etc. He started and was sold from day one as an image. Lyrically, I don't think he's anything special.

Yes, he'll do more than fine with Dre... but how does that make him a non-commercial rapper? Especially compared to 50, who I still think didn't NEED Dre or Em (and I think would have been better off WITHOUT them) to be big time?

I'm telling you, if he wasn't dropped and that album was ever released, 50 would have been a legend from day one.
December 23, 2005 11:27 AM
 

Armel said:

Don u thing other members of G UNOT r actin lik that because they didn't any success like Game. In the my opinion Game was the best rapper who came out this year and his album the Documentary is a classic. Watch out for him people, i garanty u that *** gonna do some great thinks in future.
December 28, 2005 8:37 PM
 

bob said:

Its not a west or east coast thing, its all about the music somebody cannot say that he didn't fell the Documentary u might hate artist (Game) that fine but if u really like music u should be able tell who between 50 and game had the best album. personally I like both of them and that beef is just silly. somehow 50 felt insecure when saw how strong Game came out this year. he wasn't especting that and he got scare to lose some of his fans , that is why he came out with beef.he is telling anybody that he help Game on The Documentary. Did u guys ever hear Dre say that I help 50 on his albums . Please stop saying that 50 or game would have been better without Dr Dre or Eminem none of them would have been I this point he doesn't matter. Now let see lyrically this year 50 did more songs for the lady we know that sells the point is he sold more record than Game who had better line. This year 50 was a great entertaineer
I specially bought the Massacre album just to listen to the piggy bank song. I give The Massacre a 6/10 and the documentary a 8.5/10
December 28, 2005 9:43 PM
 

Loosely Coupled // Tim Marman's Weblog said:

When I was hip-hop director of my college radio station in 1999, I received a promo copy of 50 Cent's...
February 24, 2006 7:08 AM
 

sims said:

wat up ppl u guy that say 50cent is soooo cool  FCK HIM BECAUSE GAME IS THE BEST AND ANY ONE THAT BEEFS WIT HIM FCKS UP
March 30, 2006 7:07 PM
 

Princezz said:

hey okaii ... ii think in both rapperz dey first album wuhz dah shiit ... 50 cent helped alot durin dah 1st albulm of games we'LL c if Game will do gooh whidout 50 cent on hiz sophmore aLbuLm... Game 1st Album wuh dah ShiiT n GiiT RiiCh 0r Diie Triin!!!

The Massacre wuh Coo 1st one wuh Better

ii d k y game is throwin in G~Unit Liik dat yo!! iih shuld aLL b 50 Cent!!!
April 8, 2006 10:44 AM
 

skoobee06 said:

GAME IS 1 LYRICAL M.FUKER OG FROM DA W.COAST BORN & BREED COMPTON STYLE *** NOT LIKE 50 & GGGGGGGGGGGGunot THIS *** IS HARD & HASENT SOLD OUT STAYING STORNCH STICKING FAT 2 THE RAP INDUSTRY AND THATS WAT WE WANT - PEOPLES -
April 19, 2006 2:00 AM
 

SKOOBZ911 said:

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG-UNOT W.COAST RAPPER AKA THE GAME NIGGAZ BETTA RECOGNIZE DAT THIS *** IS MORE UNDERGROUND RAP NOT LIKE 50 & GUNIT THOSE M.FUKERS JUS WANNA MAKE IT IN THE TOP40 MUSIC CHARTS MAN THE GAME THE MUSIC THE GANGBANGIN' ITZ ALL TRUE MAN BLOOD *** 4 LIFE NAME 1 GANGSTA THAT MAKES MUSIC 4 COMMERCIAL LIKE E.G AMERICAS TOP 40 MAN THE GAMES LYRICS R HOT AS MAN ANY GANGSTA KNOWZ THIS - SKOOBEE . RASKAL - F . B . A 2006 REALL M.FUKIN STREET SOILDERS
April 19, 2006 2:10 AM
 

gibson michael said:

wot i think game is a *** forever a *** feelin like one guy that can diss d guy is feelin hot wit himself well f**k him his a *** a fool dumbass murtha furker he thinks 50m has his time 2 be strokin him about one stupid album men that 300 bars & runnin a felt like dozin not even i felt like dozin i was dozin d guy  is a dry *** i hate him his gay een see his nwme game g for gay fool i hate u feelin like one guy that can diss 50 cant i hate ur a *** a fool an *** ur a fool me i old am i n am allready holdin the greatest rapist in ma set men f**k u i hate u want 2 contaked me no probs femi_gibson@yahoo.com don't forget ur a FAGGOT
May 31, 2006 10:48 AM
 

INFINITE8 said:

I'm gonna tell everyone like this. 50 Cent best album is his first one hands down. Almost every damn song. And I really felt what he was saying. That was real ***. But his second album was garbage. He had a few cuts. I love "Disco Inferno", and a few other songs, but lyrically the *** was garbage. I push forward so much on "Massacre" its rediculous. Now Llyod Banks, and Young Buc. There albums were ok too. Tony Yayo is just so damn weak. His fat ass cannot rap!!! The Game's album is better than all 3 of theirs albums including the "Massacre" album put together. At first I really didnt like "The Documentary" cause he said G UNIT!!!! A million times. He said NIKE CHECKS!!! over over. I'm like we know you wear CHUCKS, NIKES, AND YOU LOVE G UNIT!!!! ***!!!!! Thats the only thing I didnt like. BUt I really started to listen to what he was saying after my brother told me his album was pretty tight. And he was right. That is a classic. Almost every song on there is sick. He could of left off 2 songs and thats it. Right now 50 lyrics so F-UCKIN WEAK RIGHT NOW!!!! HIS BEATS SUCK!!!!! The best *** he had was THE OUTTA CONTROL REMIX!!! That shis was hot. He had to do to much for his album to sell man. Come with the same CD put 1 or 2 extra songs and videos for all his songs. That *** is weak. Too much marketing. Gangstas arent in marketing.
June 6, 2006 11:23 AM
 

Gemoe said:

I think that 50's first album was fine.. but damn his second sucked ***! But the game has been a great rapper eversence he was underground, and he still is a great rapper! i loved his first album.. shieet almost every song was hot! maybee one or two songs was bad.. but what tha hell.. who hasant a bad song in his album...? And his stop snitchin stop liein dvd was hularius man! and the cd was nice to! i secially liked "I Told You"   (You got shot in the mouth once you still talkin' ***,

gap teeth in your mouth so my *** has got to fit,

now my nuts on your tonsils,my little kid is screaming G-UNOT at your concert) i cant wait until his second album drops! that shieet will be smokin!

come on game drop it man! peace!       oh yeah *** 50! g-unot! Marvin Bernard HAHAHA

July 24, 2006 7:15 PM
 

NONE said:

man *** yall niggas game hard man

August 27, 2006 8:56 PM
 

system said:

the dat *** is real.

who d *** is fifty

*** dat ***

September 8, 2006 2:31 AM
 

system said:

"the game" dat *** is real.

who d *** is fifty

*** dat ***

September 8, 2006 2:34 AM
 

system said:

50 should be is own man dawg

not g pawn.

September 8, 2006 2:36 AM