Urban Music 2000 - The Game

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.

1. Intro
2. Westside Story
3. Dreams
4. Hate It Or Love It
5. Higher
6. How We Do
7. Don't Need Your Love
8. Church For Thugs
9. Put You On the Game
10. Start from Scratch
11. The Documentary
12. Runnin'
13. No More Fun and Games
14. We Ain't
15. Where I'm from
16. Special
17. Don't Worry
18. Like Father, Like Son