The Documentary

THE DOCUMENTARY, (Aftermath/G Unit/Interscope), the debut album from The Game (a/k/a Jayceon Taylor), announces the arrival of the most significant West Coast gangsta rapper since Snoop Dogg more than a decade earlier. With guest spots from 50 CENT, NATE DOGG and several others, as well as producers from DR. DRE to KANYE WEST to JUST BLAZE and tracks such as "How We Do" feat. 50 Cent, "Like Father Like Son," "Church For Thugs," "Dreams," "Where I’m From" and "Westside Story," THE DOCUMENTARY resurrects the truth, spirit and hope of hardcore rap.

If the Game's G Unit-fueled debut--the most anticipated CD of early 2005--is supposed to be the Answer like Iverson, then what was the question? Well, when an emcee gets to rifle through 50 Cent's Rolodex to handpick top-flight producers (Timbaland, Just Blaze, Kanye West), it's a can't-miss scheme, right? In this case, uh-huh. "Westside Story" is Game's opportunity to remind crunk-come-latelys that his region is still rap relevant. On the Dr. Dre-produced "Higher," he snorts: "I got 'em (Impala's) in every color, yeah I'm a known stunna." Yep, he's rich now too and drives whips that cost more than most make in a year. It doesn't even matter much that he's a B-minus rhyme spitter, or that he spends way too much studio time name dropping. His real life 50 Cent-esque narratives (been shot and involved in "subterranean" activities) makes cuts like the introspective, Havoc-hemmed "Don't Need Your Love" with Faith Evans that much more compelling. Boasting a half-dozen plus other sure-fire hit singles, including the Kanye burner "Dreams," few albums can match up to The Documentary--the only Game in town. --Dalton Higgins