MOG Editorial Review

With the exception of Snoop Dogg, West Coast hip-hop had been virtually absent from the national radar in 2005. With Dr. Dre on hiatus and artists like E-40 sticking to a regional formula and audience, California was ripe for new blood to emerge as the face of the west. The Game's debut album, The Documentary , hit the scene like a ton of bricks, combining the sharp lyricism of east coast emcees with the production and gang culture of Los Angeles. The album is a true mix of eras, with Dr. Dre carefully harnessing the energy of The Game, and 50 Cent providing much of the creative direction in the form of radio-friendly hooks. The end product was met with nearly universal acclaim, and rarely had gangsta rap been so masterfully crafted into an album intended for mass consumption. The content may be raw and explicit, but the production, sequencing and presentation had the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster.