REVIEW: The Game's The Documentary 2

People often say controversy sells and with The Game, there’s obviously a lot of that going on. Between well-known recent beefs with Lil Durk, Young Thug, 40 Glocc and his run ins with the LAPD, the Game has his hands full. Lets not forget he’s reppin’ the red side all day, so you know what comes with that territory.

See, beyond the beef, the Game has consistently put out platinum albums. Moreover, he’s selling records and even gives back to the community with his $1,000 giveaways.

For this The Documentary 2, the Game has assembled an all-star line-up that rivals the original down to a return to the studio with his mentor Dr. Dre. The Game’s lengthy list of collaborators include several legends solidifying his place in the West Coast Mt. Rushmore of Hip-Hop. Features on the project include Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Diddy, Drake, Future, DJ Premier, Will.i.am, Mike Will, Cool and Dre, AB Soul, Jelly Roll, Dej Loaf and many more.

Before you even press play on the album, we’ve already been told by a host of people that this might be one of the Game’s best albums yet – a classic. But is it? Having seen the introspective documentary on the recording of the album itself, the intrigue is 100% there. We take a venture through the album – track by track.

“On Me” (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

This song was released this week and as you know samples Erykah Badu and features a super smooth Kendrick verse harmonizing with Erykah’s “On & On” track. We’ve heard Kendrick and Erykah collab in the past and on this one the Game found a way to bring that vibe back. There’s some a capella on the song and judging by the way Kendrick and Game trade verses, its clear the Game’s lyrical ability is on display for this project and he rises to the occasion. The Game, Kendrick and Dr. Dre – this is VERY dope.

“Step Up” (feat. Dej Loaf & Sha Sha)

“On Me” segues into the Dej Loaf song sampling Gang Starr’s “Step Into The Arena.” The “step up” cuts are well-known from Tupac’s “I Get Around” but they fit in nicely on this song. Dej adds her familiar harmonizing on this one, singing the same melody from Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down.” The song features an accompanying video and so far, no fillers here. This song is a dope throw back type joint, he’s keeping it Hip-Hop 1000%. 90’s Hip-Hop.

Busta Rhymes Speaks On The Game’s Documentary 2

“Don’t Trip” (feat. Ice Cube, Dr. Dre & will.i.am)

The song sonically takes you on a ride of twists and turns just like will.i.am describes in the flick. From the Dre intro to the 70’s pimpish bass line that sits right in pocket, this keeps the album moving along in a fun way. Cube drops a new verse that mimics his classic sh*t, while Dre seems to channel some of his Chronic 2001 verses letting you know they still got it. This beat switches up like 5 times.

“Standing On Ferraris” (feat. Diddy)

Another sample on this track, starting to become a theme. If you don’t mind revamped songs then its cool, but if you prefer 100% original tracks then this one adds to your skepticism. Diddy jumps on this one with the overdubs, while Game talks that mess. Game kinda channels some Biggie on this one with his use of diction, timing and similar phrases B.I.G. may have used. They stuntin on this track, it’s a single and the video will be CRAZY if they decide to do it.

“Dollar and a Dream” (feat. AB-Soul)

This song has a crazy beat. Game shouts out all the gangs in LA in the beginning, if you’re from LA you know about some of them, but Game shatters this beat. The hook is perfect and then AB blesses this one with a verse that describes the hustle from the beginning. This track is perfect. The story of Game’s life from the streets to the rap game is as real as it gets and this song reminds us of why we respect and have loved Game’s music over the years.

“Dedicated” (feat. Future & Sonyae)

The Game has always had an ability to adapt to the changes of the music world and this song proves his versatility and ability to get on really almost any song. Future Hendrix hooks this one up with a smooth extension of the Dirty Sprite 2 project. This one is on repeat this weekend and fits right in with the R&B music we’ve been hearing all over.

“Mula” (feat. Kanye West)
Game and Yeezy step up as the originators on this one, looking over a world of critics and haters. The track has real airy vibe and its a similar vibe to other Yeezy songs that are somewhat somber in mood. Game goes in on this one dissing the “sour faced” people in the world that diss Game and Kanye.

100 (feat. Drake)

We’ve all heard this song, the video was fresh, this song is a BANGER and it still hasn’t gotten old yet. Game again makes it clear that the people who matter support his music. These two have had their share of beef respectively so its pretty dope to hear them to talk about how they’ve kept it 100. Drakes verse has gems throughout.

“New York, New York”

Game gets controversial on this one evoking religious lyrics and his take on the police brutality in our country. “Some things never make sense like Magic and AIDS,” the Game says as he kills this one. This is Game’s take on the shortcomings of society, a societal critique so to speak.

“LA” (feat. Snoop Dogg, will.i.am & Fergie)

Blue and Red come together on this track that is combined with the vibes of Fergie and will.i.am on the hook and production. This one is another LA anthem that that has some dope funk undertones. At the end of the day this one is big given the 100 days 100 nights violence going on in LA. If Game and Snoop can come together the streets can do it too. We got a glipse of this song’s recording process from the movie as will.i.am and the Game work on this song during the film.