Old I know, but I just got this and wanted to review it. Read and post anywhere
you like. HOLLA!

Nfa


Nfared Reviews
The Game: The
Documentary


Almost every Tuesday, a rapper sets out to change the face of hip-hop with a new
release. In a perfect music world, whether or not the rapper has any impact
should be based on originality, creativity and substance. However, the fan base
seems to measure impact on how they are feeling that particular day, or on how
much hype they have heard about the artist. Enter The Game. New G-Unit member
(depending on his weekly quarrel with 50 Cent) Game is determined to not be just
another face in the Tuesday crowd. The fan base is responding, but
unfortunately, a generous dose of marketing bru-ha-ha is the driving force
behind the success of The Documentary. Media antics aside though, The Game
brings an eagerness that is audible and in a sense, respectable.



If intensity had a sound, the Dr. Dre and Mark Boston produced Higher would be
in the ballpark. A persistent piano and strings combine with an up-tempo beat to
create a sound that somehow combines classical with hip-hop. While not a lyrical
masterpiece, Game is forceful and clever, though with no specific focus. His wit
goes from an indirect shot at Nelly, “Drop down do the eagle, fuck that/real
niggas just pull up they pants and lean back…”, to a joke at the expense of
three household names, “But I won’t fuck Mariah/Even if she had Ashanti butt
naked in bed/cause she got a forehead just like Tyra.” Though not on the list of
highly repeatable songs on this album, Higher is entertaining as Game seemingly
tries his hand at comedy.



Marsha, one half of Floetry lends her angelic vocals on Start From Scratch. Game
is reflective and heartfelt as he relives memories from his life. Though he
starts out saying he “Wouldn’t change shit”, he suddenly finds situations he
would have made different as he remembers, “Homie If I could make 94 today/I’d
tell Eazy and Dre to bring back NWA/I woulda told Pac not to stomp out Orlando…”
As if thinking aloud, he then states definitively, “I got to many dead
homies/fuck a rap career.” The fitting chorus sung by Marsha, summarizes
everything with the words, “If I could start my life from scratch/if I could
take away the pain of the past/If I had another chance I would do just that/I’d
give anything just to go right back.” Putting his public image down, Game shows
a poignant level of vulnerability that manages to reach beyond the track and
speak to the heart.



The Game chose to end the CD with an engaging story. Like Father Like Son
chronicles the events surrounding the birth of his son. Game’s delivery paints
vivid images as he remembers, “June 30th 11:07/I got that call/she eight
centimeters/my lil man bout to fall/scuffin my airforces/runnin through the
hospital hall/deja vu like I been here before.” Throughout the song at different
intervals he announces the time and the events at the moment, from phone calls,
to the sight of the child’s head, up to the birth, “11:57 a soldier is born/and
he’s flesh of my flesh…” It’s as close to actually being there as possible.


Final Grade
The Game’s talent is undeniable. Though not completely innovative, his
passionate delivery, effortless story telling, and willingness to put his guard
down ranks him as a more than just a rapper. He extends an invitation to visit
his experiences. The staggering and highly alluring producer list adds to the
attractiveness of the project with tracks from Just Blaze, Hi-Tek, Dr. Dre,
Timberland and Scott Stortch. Then there are the several guest appearances
including Busta Rhymes, Faith Evans and Mary J Blige. Whether or not anything
has changed with the release of The Documentary will probably be an issue of
constant debate. Make no mistake though, Hip-Hop just got more interesting.
Final Grade A+


























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