The Documentary 2005 Album

The Game

As a rapper The Game ain't the best lyricist and doesn't have the best skills on the mic. We also all know that these days he starts beef with other artists to get attention (much like 50 Cent has done his whole career). This album is a perfect example of that; "I never take shots at legends. That's just something I don't do" - The Game talking about Jay-Z on track 11 'The Documentary' with who if you have been paying attention this year he has been chanting "F*** Jay-Z" at his concerts. Despite this hypocrisy, I enjoy his music, his beat selection and I have since I acquired this album back in '05. This was probably the last thing 50 and Dre had an involvement in of any note that really works for me. 50 does get too much credit for this album though from anti-Game/pro-50 people. 'Westside Story' would've been fine if anyone was on the hook, like Snoop is on the remix and no doubt fits the concept of the song better being as he's from the west. And personally, I have never loved 'Hate It or Love It' and 'How We Do' with there being a handful of better songs throughout the album. There is plenty of great stuff like the tracks mentioned below and only two tracks I look to skip in 'Church For Thugs' and 'No More Fun & Games' which still ain't horrible but to me sound a bit overproduced. It drops off a degree for me in the second half of the album with tracks like 'Special' and 'Runnin'' being the main offenders. They are still good but don't match the beginning of the album like 'Dreams', 'The Documentary' and so on. Overall, it's an album I come back to often years on, and it's always enjoyable to play. It's only really a few tracks mainly from 12-17 which let it down a bit. The production is great though with many of the biggest producers providing beats, and while lyrically Game ain't with the greats, he has presence and charisma on the mic. I think the fact that this album is around the 3.5-4/5 mark and is from a polarising figure in a polarising genre says something about its quality. Beats: ★★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: Westside Story, Dreams, Higher, Don't Need Your Love, Put You on The Game, Start From Scratch, The Documentary, We Ain't, Like Father, Like Son