The Game/ Doctor's Advocate

One more Game for ya ass. When did The Game really gain support for his claim that he was "bringing the West back"? I hopped on the bandwagon after this album, because even though "The Documentary" was good, it was boring. The production was a lot more varied on this album too... because after one album Game decided he could travel the path to greatness without the Doctor. It helps that Game finally found out he can't beef with everyone (dude has a pretty lengthy yet impressive resume). There isn't so much name-calling on this album. It looks like "Big Dreams" targeted everyone Game ever beefed with. And now that he put 50 behind him we can finally recognize him for something other than the over dramatized theatrics between the two. On a more celebratory note, I can honestly say this is a classic West Coast album, put it right next to Dre's classics, Cube's, and Andre Nickatina's (reviews coming soon). For all y'all that know about Dre Dog. Dare I say that "Doctor's Advocate" is better than "L.A.X."? We shall find out.

The Good:

Track #1-Lookin At You- This is a Don King track in every sense of the expression. The sample in the middle of the track is just menacing, as is the beat.

Track #2- Da Shit- The beat bangs and Game controls your ears for the few minutes this track lasts. Not much substance, but you can definitely bang this one.

Track #3- It's Okay (One Blood)- Is this song overhyped? Not at all. All the name-dropping you could ever hope for. Yet it's probably one of the best songs of 2006.

Track #4- Compton- Not a song you would ever expect Will.I.Am. to produce, but the instrumental itself summarizes the Compton movement.

Track #5- Remedy- Just Blaze provides a blitzkrieg of turntabling, piano, and thumping bass. And while this isn't Game at his best, it is definitely something any rap fan can appreciate.

Track #7- Too Much- Soft piano lends the musical background to Game's lyrical annihilation.

Track #9- Scream On Em- Actually a worthwhile contribution from Swizz Beatz. This song goes back and forth, first Game rapes this song into submission, then he goes easy, and in the third verse he finishes the job.

Track #10- One Night-I love the beat, and the raw emotion and story telling makes this the most memorable song so far, and even the weak hook doesn't subtract from this track.

Track #11- Doctor's Advocate- "Start From Scratch" part 2.

Track #12- Ol English- This song could easily be on "Eazy Duz It". Game's storytelling here is classic, and hats off to Hi-Tek.

Track #13- California Vacation- I can imagine that this track was on replay at west coast radio stations for a loooong time. The beat bangs, Game murders it, Snoop almost ruins it, but Xzibit brings it back, and maybe even outrhymes Game. Why does every mainstream rapper feel burdened to include Snoop on their albums?

Track #14- Bang- Kurupt and Daz are more than welcome on this track. And you've got the hardest song off the album.

Track #15- Around The World- I've never liked these types of songs. But I'll admit that this track is good.

Track #16-Why You Hate The Game- Whoa...all I can say, Game decides to make an album full of bangers and then features NaS on the very last track. Blaze's beat is sick, Escobar's lines are fucking ill, and Game straight murders shit. Love this track. "I don't talk about my guns nigga I just blaze". I guess it's smart to put this track at the end to tempt hip-hop fans with what could one day be. What a farewell.

This album follows "The Documentary's" formula perfectly, half the songs are bangers, and half are heartfelt songs full of raw emotion. The difference between the two album is The Game's maturation as a lyricist and his menacing presence on the mic.

0-20: Terrible listening experience
21-40: Maybe one good song
41-60: A few good songs
61-80: Half are good songs, half are weak
81-100: Great listening experience, almost all are great songs

I give this album a 92. The Game sounds like a completely new artist from The Documentary... and every hip hop fan should pick this album up. I'm not even going to give you any babble about how weak and defenseless I am to providing links for my readers:

Download Here

The Game/ L.A.X.

1st things first, I DO NOT support pirated music, but... I been waiting for this shit forever and a few years. Now, big ups to worldwideurbanmusic.com/ for having the leak almost as soon as it got out, and for the Ice Cube leak, which I will review soon. I just reviewed the Black Wall mixtape, so you should have a basic understanding of who Jayceon Taylor is. Game earned my respect after doing collabs with Nas, DJ Quik, Erick Sermon, Rah Digga, and Cube. This dude is a true hip hop head (although his references are a little excessive sometimes). I think Game has a legitimate argument for being the best mainstream rapper out right now. I'll say The Documentary really got me interested, the G-Unit affiliation always warded me off though (word, I hated Buck, Banks, 50 and Yayo even when they had respect). I thought "Doctor's Advocate" might have been one of the best albums released in 06. Then Game made us wait for nearly two years, then I heard "Big Dreams" and was amazed like everyone else (try to tell me your not feeling that track). Then Game's Pain with Keyshia Cole really got me excited for the new album... so I'm giving it the first listen with y'all.

The Good:

Track #2- L.A.X. Files- Damn... it's like Game took the raw emotion from "Why You Hate The Game" and L.A.X. is just Doctor's Advocate Part 2... this song goes hard, the whole time.

Track #4-BulletProof Diaries- These are the collabs I'm talking about... who would ever think Game would get....... Raekwon to spit a verse. Game's Wu references are on point, and now I'm excited for "Only Built For Cuban Linx 2"... Rae does damage. Hip hop heads will appreciate this track.

Track #5-My Life- This track was bound to be horrible with Lil Weezy on this track... but thankfully he only does the hook, and lets Game FUCKING MURDER this track... Cool & Dre provide a sick beat.

Track #6- Money- Once you warm up to this track (it may take a while), you will find it to be a modern classic... that's not a statement to be taken liberally, the beat is amazing... and the whole song is immaculate. Sadly, the last Cool and Dre contribution :(

Track #12- Let Us Live- Game goes nearly acapella, and his storytelling is comparable to NaS on this track... one of my favorites so far.

Track #14- Angel- How can you not be excited by a Common collab? This track delivers... Kanye gives Game a mouth watering beat, Common murks, Chi-town meets the City of Angels.... I still Love H.E.R.

Track #16- Dope Boys- Big Dreams Part 2.

Track #17- Game's Pain- This is just as good as when I first heard it... this is how you salute hip-hop. Shit's real hot.

Track #18- Letter To The King- This is the second album in a row, where Game features NaS on the last song. It's like Ol English meets Why You Hate The Game. At first a tribute to MLK seems like a strong idea, but then when these two spit, you just get lost in lyricism, and Hi-Tek presents a perfect backdrop. Amazing...

I gotta say I'm impressed, at first I was expecting something totally different because this doesn't really sound like either of his previous albums... but it's just as good if not better, but in a different way. You've a got a couple of songs for the ladies, a few for the radio, and a few that are just weak... but the majority of the songs on this album are just classic.

0-20: Terrible listening experience
21-40: Maybe one good song
41-60: A few good songs
61-80: Half are good songs, half are weak
81-100: Great listening experience, almost all are great songs

I give this album a 85, I would definitely cop it when you can, but here's a dirty link for you dirty pirates.

For all the dirty cats

Black Wall Street/ BWS Journal Volume 1

If you keep up with "MTV" hip-hop at all... you'd know about The Game, the self proclaimed "Messiah of Gangster Rap". Once Game separated from the snakes at G-Unit he started his own label "Black Wall Street"... and has released a series of mixtapes named Black Wall Street Journal 1,2,3...etc. I believe he is on the 4th edition now. These mixtapes don't have very much new music, but this album contains most of the best tracks all the Black Wall Street affiliates have made. The Game has gathered quite the collection of talent: Clyde Carson, JT The Bigga Figga, Juice, Ya Boy, Cyssero The Virus, and the ever-popular DJ Skee and DJ Haze. Game seems set for life which is probably why he feels so comfortable with his early retirement plans.

The Good:

Track #5- You Know What It Is- This song is simply perfect...the beat is immaculate, and Juice definitely delivers. "Niggas know I do dirt, I'm kickin up dust, Puttin in work"

Track #7- Back 2 Back- Damn... This track is sick as fuck... Game takes it back to 92 and just murders the shit... Cyssero does a good job too.

Track #8- 100 Bars of Crack- This is how Ya Boy got big, track is straight fire.

Track #10- 24's- Wonder what this track is about? Carson murks on this track. And the hook is sick. This song is an example of why I don't hate all the car/hoes/guns rap. Cuz this track is good.

Track #13- Rollin- The perfect track to roll to. Simply immaculate.

Track #17- Cypha- 8 minutes long... and it's hot.

Track #18- Fire In Ya Eyes- amazing sample job... this song is not what you would expect at all. It's R&B tinged, but yet it sounds really good.

Track #19- My Turn- it's a diss record, don't know who it's directed at... but this track is pretty decent, the flow doesn't do it for me... but the lyrics do.

All in all this mixtape is hot... considering that it is a mixtape not an album... there was no intro, no outro, no interludes (very unusual). There was also a great selection of good songs, even though I only selected a handful of songs (the great ones), most of the songs on this album are good with minor flaws. I would definitely get this especially if you can't wait for L.A.X. to drop and need some Game to hold you over.

0-20: Terrible listening experience
21-40: Maybe one good song
41-60: A few good songs
61-80: Half are good songs, half are weak
81-100: Great listening experience, almost all are great songs

I give this mixtape a 67, some outstanding songs: "Rollin, You Know What It Is, 100 Bars of Crack", and some songs that just don't do it for me.

Here's the download link for ya ass:

Download Here