I can't believe it's the middle of November already. Wasn't it just Labor Day? For that matter, the Fourth of July feels like just yesterday. Kind of depressing, really. However, while the early darkness and dropping temperatures are a bummer, November is a huge month for hip-hop, with a plethora of big releases looming. I couldn't be more excited for Jay-Z's Kingdom Come (even if the first three leaked tracks were a bit disappointing). Nas has a new one. So does Snoop. The Clipse finally get to release Hell Hath No Fury. It's an exciting time.
However, there might not be a more riveting album release than the Game's Doctor's Advocate, which is hitting shelves this Tuesday. Given all the controversy surrounding this guy, people have been eager to find out what happens after, well, Aftermath. The Terrell Owens of rap music has been a whirling dervish of anger and self-destruction over the past nine months, but through it all, he's actually made some big strides as an artist. Sometimes we lose sight of creative growth in hip-hop since actions can often speak louder than words, but this has been a case of a guy getting better at his craft through sheer drive, practice, and effort.
That said, the Game is going at this alone. There's no Dr. Dre on an album named after him, which strikes me as both ironic and pathetic. There's no 50 Cent, no Eminem, and really no sign of Aftermath at all, short of a Busta Rhymes appearance.
So what kind of album can we expect? Is the Game ready to carry the load as the face of West Coast hip-hop? There might not be a more polarizing artist out there right now, as it seems that for every person who wants to see him succeed, there is another rooting for his complete and utter failure. As the Game himself expressed on his debut album, The Documentary (on a song 50 Cent wrote, interestingly enough), you can "Hate it or Love it."
I've been getting ready to break this all down on the November 14 release, but much to my surprise, the wait might just be over. While Doctor's Advocate is still a few days away from official release, it had its "Internet debut" last week when the album was leaked by Game himself onto the web. At first, it seemed five tracks had been released, but within a day, it was clear the whole thing was out there. How this affects record sales remains to be seen, but it has given us the chance to come up with some answers ahead of schedule. Of course, there is always the chance the leaked version could be incomplete or different from the final album. The available tracks seem to match those on official track lists, but there are also rumors swirling that some Cool and Dre cuts are being stashed away for the "real" Doctor's Advocate. I've heard that as many as seven songs could be "lying in wait," so to speak. We shall see.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - King Street Gypsy
Despite what you the review says: The Doctor's Advocate may be the hottest track on the cd. But I do agree Busta's outtro could have been editted out of the track but will probably serve a purpose in the video.
2 - laron
Wow...hell of a review. Great job!
3 - moe
yo the dr's advocate would've been a classic but round the world and cali vacation kinda skrewed it up hopefully game puts new traks on there but he didn't fukk oh well the cd is sik but not a classic its the beginning of hip hop's revival
4 - THE PIMP IN DA L.B.C
This album is down.My fav track from dis tite ass album is Scream On Em
5 - whitegaze
If it weren't for those strange instrumentals and vocals that appear out of nowhere, especially in the middle of Game(or someone else) "spit hot fire, mon", I would give the CD/album a better grade than B+. I swear that sh*t had me reaching for the system to see if another song had started up.....
6 - Dano
great review, i listened while reading track by track, very well done
may there be more game albums to come
7 - Kiel
i agree the track was hot and that was not his "drunk voice" The game him just like in Start From Strach that is what he sounds like when he is emotional... he cryed during both thoses tracks
8 - the doctor's advocate
he disappointed me and half his songs seem all the same. i rate the game played it safe a#nd tried to make the album the same as the documentary! i dont think he's going to do as well as last album in terms of sales as it it just going to please peeps from the West Coast and his name dropping is getting old. it doesnt have replay value so i guess i'll have to wait for the games next album! If he fails, 50 will have a field day!
9 - the doctor
i have to settle a few things one he says in "doctors advocate" that he was drunk during start from scratch ya just gotta listen 2 its different from "the documentary" cause "the doctors advocate" was about the westcoast and all of whats happened since "the doc" whereas "the doc" was about his life upto "the doc" anyways great review but dont agree with axeing "bang!" and "lets ride"
10 - Rick
I believe this is a better album than the documentary, this is the rebirth of game not the west coast. he's always done that. but california vacation and his song to dre. also compton with will.I.am these are all crazy at 150db. this is a classic and he is the spawn of gangsters.
11 - Darko
Yo,Yo,Yo, as a loyal G-Unit fan, I struggled to find the heart to listen to dudes new joint, but I can't lie, sh*& is dope! Old school Cali style, dude got his history together, and the tracks are allll bangin! 50 or not, this is one talented young man, and it's almost frightening that this kid is only 24 years old! Hot!
12 - ninja
I am in Zimbabwe, AFrica yo! I was kind of pissed by Game starting trouble all around and after watching him on youtube, I had decided not to buy this CD, coz Game is an immature big baby. But I have to say this is the best Cd since bow down from Westside Connection. This is better than the new Cube, DPG, Snoop, Kurrupt (but not all put together). Game, respect, from AFrica. Just grow up man, find something to write about besides bragging, and you will be one of the best.
13 - Cai Cai
Umm dats just ur opinion i really didnt care too much for your little review i like most of the songs on the cd and what u had to say was just dat your opinio
14 - Brandon
Wow i can beleave it this cd sux,,,,,I am a Loyal Game Fan But Like Come on,,,, Like This
$#!+.....It sunds all the same and he cant rap ,,,,,,,He had a flow,,,,and when he beefs He flows like crazy!!!!! BUt im sorry its crap, and sumwun gunna expose him
15 - mike
game is the best !!!!!!!!!!!!1111
16 - hoodbred
This s**t is hot im tellin' you the first time i heard it i was dissappointed but when i really listened to it i was happy. Alot better than jay-z's kingdom come and im trying so hard to like that sh*t!!!100
17 - jay
This is westcoast to the fullest I guess Im just a westcoast ridar born and raised in Inglewood CA
This is the hottest s**t out ! I gotta say I can listen to the entire album without skipping a track much love to the west !!!
18 - d.johns
yo dre? do it like the dre, me n dre dre dre dre dre dre dre dre dre on every track except 1 maybe....coulda been a classic its a safe album...good luck buddy,haha tantrum tv dvd magazine d.johns
19 - Mickell
Games A Problem, and he proved that he dont need 50 or Dre. He went gold in One Week. My man Game a problem. For Real. THE ALBUM IS CRACK
20 - ManofTrouble
Yo!!! I just wanna say...The "Wouldn't get far" track is stolen shit from Jadakiss' "By your side"... Call me crazy, but you just can't deny it,right? Other than that,I really like this album...I've been totally crazy about Game over the past year...The whole G-Unot stuff (crazy)...This is the first albim since All Eyez On Me that has every dope song...Rootin' 4 my man GAME...P.S. Some songs from his latest mixtapes are better than certain songs on this album, but...P.P.S. Good review