At only 30 minutes in length, this is a cohesive jazz rap project from Lupe, BUT there is nothing wowing me. His rapping on albums like 'Tetsuo & Youth' is more noteworthy and he has many more rounded, well written songs with more replay value throughout his discography. Some of the sounds here feel somewhat like songs from 'The Cool' and 'Food & Liquor' with the title track most feeling like 'The Cool' era. I like everything, but for me to give an album a rating nearing 4/5, I need some songs that I'm going to play on repeat. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★☆ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Samurai, Mumble Rap, Cake, No. 1 Headband, Til Eternity

There is some okay stuff here, but listening to it for the first time in 2024, topically a lot just doesn't hit. It takes you back to a depressing time where what they're rapping about is all we heard for 2 years, that limits the appeal of the album. The beats are mostly above average and the rapping, particularly from B-Real and Xzibit is enjoyable. Best Tracks: White Power, Summer of Sam, Triggered, Powder Keg, War in the Streets,

This felt like a half written movie for me. Sure, it was pleasing to see it not take the predictable route of the cause of the civil war being 'fascist', right-winged 'Nazi' citizens (as the lunatic left would label them), but it also said nothing at the same time. Instead, we have a story about war photographers who idiotically and suicidally take a child to the heart of war zones that ends up having the predicted result.

There is somewhat too much of the same sound making it require listens to separate tracks on initial plays, but there is some great work here from Hamilton. 'Real Love', produced by 9th Wonder, where the production is very strong, would be better without Ross ("mmmmmmmmmmm"...), but he isn't bad enough to ruin it. I didn't expect to hear Lil Jon shout "Okay" on this, but that song works well enough too. The hip hop connection goes deeper with producers Jermaine Durpri, Bink!, 1500 Or Nothin' and Cardiak adding their talent who are best known for their work in hip hop. Maybe there is nothing touching Hamilton's best songs, but the quality is strong from front to back. Best Tracks: Threw It All Away, Real Love, You Made a Fool of Me, I Thought We Were in Love, I'm Sorry, Mercy, Safe 1. Love Is the New Black 70 2. Threw It All Away 83 3. Real Love 84 4. I'm Ready 74 5. White Hennessy 72 6. Coming Home 79 7. You Made a Fool of Me 80 8. I Thought We Were in Love 90 9. Superstar 76 10. Pillows 78 11. I'm Sorry 80 12. Mercy 83 13. Safe 82 14. Mama Don't Cry 70

This is more of a various artists release than The Game mixtape as he hardly spits a verse. The best track is easily his solo song, 'Control'. Most of the rest isn't terrible, and there's some catchy enough stuff like the hook on 'Rent Due', but there's nothing that'll be memorable. Best Tracks: Plug, Control