Title: The Documentary [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Review:
Tell me if this sounds familiar: rapper comes from a rough upbringing, sells his little drugs here and there, gets shot, scorches the mixtape scene for a little over a year, signs with Aftermath Records and has a huge debut single produced by Dr. Dre. If you think that sounds like 50 Cent’s resume, you wouldn’t be wrong, but I’m actually referring to the latest product of the Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit hype machine, The Game, quite possibly the most controversial and anticipated rapper since, well, 50 Cent.

A well-known former member of the Bloods with a strong affinity for Eazy E and NWA, Game has carved out a nice name for himself over the past year, releasing several high selling solo mixtapes and collaborating not only with his fellow G-Unit brethren but also with the Dip Set and Lil Flip. Backed by Dr. Dre production and Jimmy Iovine’s deep pockets, Game quickly became a can’t-lose prospect. After a few delays and title changes, his album The Documentary finally premieres. Sadly, unlike 50 Cent before him, the album fails to deliver on the hype.

Let’s start with one of the first obvious problems. Take “Westside Story”, one of the lead/teaser singles for the album which was released last year. The drum pattern and the bass guitar will IMMEDIATELY give you flashbacks of “In Da Club”, and it doesn’t help much with 50’s horrible crooning on the hook. Game spits your usual gangsta clichйs, which normally wouldn’t be a problem but when you do it with as little charisma and creativity as Game does, it bores you to tears. The other teaser single, “Higher”, fares slightly better. It’s your typical piano and synth heavy Dr. Dre beat and its (Chuck) taylor made for clubs and car stereos, definitely a banger; however once again, Game just doesn’t come across as being the least bit interested, his hunger from his mixtape raps all but vanished.

Another problem is when your guest artists outshine you on your own album. Let it be known, I am not the biggest 50 Cent or G-Unit fan, however, 50 Cent completely owns Game on this album, providing all the best moments. The first official single, “How We Do” is a certified hit, all over radio and MTV, and rightfully so. But listening to it, you aren’t sure if it’s supposed to be Game’s single or 50’s as 50’s sing-song flow and hypnotic hook make you totally forget about Game’s choppy, timid sounding performance. 50 also provides a choice hook for “Hate it or Love It” which has a smooth beat and the potential to be the next single.

The final nail in the coffin for this album is retreading well worn subject matter without doing anything new with it. Game is one of the least creative rappers out there, alongside his G-Unit cronies. Mainstream rap fans may accept half-hearted lyricism paired with tight beats and catchy hooks, but it’s not going to fly with real hip-hop heads. This is album is heavy on great beats and hooks though; look no further than “Don’t Need Your Love” produced by Havoc for a wistful, reflective yet gangsta beat which Game weaves tired tales of gangbanging and rising from the struggle upon, or Just Blaze’s “No More Fun and Games”, an amazing pimped out, funky beats with a 70’s feel to it which is wasted with Game’s lax wordplay. By the time Eminem shows up on the 16th track to rap and produce on “We Ain’t” and absolutely blows Game out of the water, it becomes apparent this Game still has a few bugs in it.

Track Listings:
1. Intro
2. Westside Story - 50 Cent
3. Dreams
4. Hate It or Love It - 50 Cent
5. Higher
6. How We Do - 50 Cent
7. Don't Need Your Love - Faith Evans
8. Church for Thugs
9. Put You on the Game
10. Start from Scratch
11. Documentary
12. Runnin'
13. No More Fun and Games
14. We Ain't - Eminem
15. Where I'm From - Nate Dogg
16. Special - Nate Dogg
17. Don't Worry - Mary J. Blige
18. Like Father, Like Son - Busta Rhymes


Overall: 3.5/5

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