Game and Tyler the Creator ply their trade in a mental asylum in this video for “Martians Vs. Goblins.” No Lil Wayne appearance, but these two do just fine without him. Game would be wise to release a video for the Nelly Furtado-assisted “Mama Knows.”
Nothing is promised in this industry. Your previous accolades, no matter how exceptional, don’t guarantee any artist a place of security. Game experienced that firsthand when he began work in 2009 on The R.E.D. Album, a follow-up to his gold-selling 2008 album LAX. Even with a track record of multi-platinum and gold albums, Interscope doubted this project’s commercial viability and subjected it to 10 delays. After three long years, Game has finally delivered an album that while full of shortcomings, is entertaining enough to satisfy fans who’ve been waiting patiently for Game’s self-proclaimed “rededication to Hip-Hop.”
After a short Dr. Dre intro, R.E.D. opens with Cool & Dre’s dramatic production on “The City.” With a movie-like atmosphere set, Game assails the mic with proclamations of the West Coast’s rebirth and his own pedigree of plaque-certified albums. Kendrick Lamar is the show-stealer, supplying a detailed, spoken word-leaning chorus that leads into a thrilling a capella third verse. The heavy production continues with DJ Khalil on “Drug Test,” a song marked immediately by its West Coast melodies. The club chords are short and stabbing, resulting in Dre, Game and Snoop adjusting their verses accordingly. Although Nate Dogg is gone, Sly does a novel imitation on the chorus.
THE GAME X KENDRICK LAMAR “THE CITY”
Dark humor comes into play on “Martians vs. Goblins.” Game does a respectable Odd Future impersonation. As a serial name-dropper, Game has no issues throwing his peers into surreal bars (“Tie Lil B up to a full tank of propane/Swag/ Now watch him cook…”). Although the beat has the murky feel of the Odd Future variety, Tyler the Creator’s offbeat humor doesn’t go too left that it’s not enjoyable for the uninitiated listener (“Fall back like LeBron’s hairline…”).
Game’s first solo song don’t come until deep into the album. Again, DJ Khalil employs a big sound for “Ricky,” a treat for older Hip-Hop fans as it samples Stanley Clarke’s music from Boyz N the Hood. The jazz elements, Game’s vocal energy, and the movie quotes the punctuate his lyrics make it one of the more enjoyable and engaging songs on the LP.
“RICKY”
As the R.E.D. Album progresses, it’s quite easy to forget your listening to a Game project. His identity is lost when he decides to imitate the cadence and flow of his guests, as he does with Jeezy and Big Boi on their featured tracks. While interesting at first, it wears thin quickly and pales against other collab tracks where Game refrains from the imitation flattery like ”Heavy Artillery” and “Good Girls Go Bad.”
The influence of Game’s major label can be felt in the LP’s second half, which is overrun with radio-friendly, commercial singles with singers Lloyd, Mario, Lu Breeze and Chris Brown. Here the sequencing becomes a glaring issue; having four consecutive songs with this style becomes redundant and totally takes you out of the album. Although Game tries to inject introspective content in the last two, the production style and R&B choruses gives you the same feeling as the first two offerings.
Thankfully, DJ Premier comes to the rescue with “Born in the Trap.” Primo’s sample incorporates a beautiful orchestral loop. Game is equally impressive riding the beat and even changes the normal boom bap format we expect by handling the chorus himself and saving Premier’s trademark scratches for the ending sequence. The scenic production continues via Pharrell on “Mama Knows,” arguably the album’s strongest cut. While it was touched on throughout the album, Game saves this track to go in-depth on his mother’s influence on his life. Nelly Furtado’s airy vocals work perfect on these rhythms and will remind you of Janet Jackson’s preferred singing style.
GAME X NELLY FURTADO “MAMA KNOWS”
While Game still has not completely fixed the tendency overstuff his albums with guest appearances at his own expense, The R.E.D. Album has much better production and more highlights than what was heard on 2008′s LAX. If he accepts the benefits of the “less is more” approach, Compton’s native son will have further improvement on his next album.
Didn’t see this one coming. DJ Premier and The Game have leaked a gem off August 23rd’s Red Album. All artists step their game up on Premier beats. Game is no exception. His second verse in particular stands out as he goes in on the superficiality of “swagger.” You’ll also note that Game handles his own chorus instead of the expected Premier scratches. No worries though for Primo fans; he drops the scratches to close out the track. No complaints from me on this one.
THE GAME “BORN IN THE TRAP” (PRODUCED BY DJ PREMIER) (RADIO RIP)
Source: DJ Premier Blog
“Will I ever go at Nas?/ Hell no!/ Will I ever go at Jay?/ I don’t know…”
After trying to siphon attention from Watch the Throne with the comical Jay-Z diss record “Uncle Otis,” The Game is getting serious again with a promising track entitled “Infrared.” As with any Game track, we get name drops spanning NBA player Chauncey Billups to Redman, the latter he admittedly shouts out “just because.” And even here we get another Jay-Z mention. What makes this track solid is Cool and Dre’s Blaxpoitation-infused production. Considering the reference to Eminem’s Relapse album, this is probably an older song recorded for The Red Album that’ll end up on the mixtape Game is supposedly dropping this Monday (August 1). The Red Album hits stores on August 23.
THE GAME “INFRARED” [PROD. BY COOL & DRE]
“Give Interscope two more albums then I’m done for good…”
The Game goes introspective on this new single with Chris Brown. Not bad for a radio song. The track is available for purchase through iTunes. The Red Album is scheduled to hit stores on August 23.
“I’m Malcolm X before he turned Muslim…RED!”
Like Jeezy, The Game is one of the notable name artists over the last year working hard to get a release date for their new projects. With some good buzz off the back of his Purp & Patron double mixtape, The Game has a new “first single” with Cool & Dre and Lil Wayne entitled “Red Nation.”
The beat has sparse piano notes that relay a subtle West Coast feel. The guitar licks and chanting are a welcome change from the tracks you can easily tell off top are “radio singles.” This has a harder edge, even with the synths. The Game can be hit or miss with his lyrics, as he’s prone to rambling. The verses are serviceable, as is Wayne on the chorus.
“Red Nation” isn’t as in your face as Game’s previous Blood anthem, “One Blood,” but it’s much better than the radio tracks he tried for his upcoming album over the last year. Will it be a enough for a release date The Red Album? Probably not, but it’s a very good starting point. Expecting a video for this soon.
THE GAME X LIL WAYNE “RED NATION”
