Forget the controversial album cover. While you’re at it forget about the orchestrated beef too. And all you have left on The Game’s newest album Jesus Piece is a hollow series of sing-songs – a collection of fillers with little creative direction. Conceptually, The Game does try and convey a larger idea, one that aligns his devotion to both the streets and god. But in the end the narrative fails to reconcile the nature of his contradictions. The lyrics are never in agreement with one another. And it’s a drastic drop off from a normally sharp MC. Here are five lyrics that prove he needs to reevaluate his writing before putting it out there for the world to consume:
‘Ali Bomaye feat. 2 Chainz & Rick Ross‘
The Game is stretching the analogy quite a bit here between him and Muhammad Ali. In fact it’s hard to find any connection at all other than the over the top braggodicio. Ali Bomaya was a phrase chanted during the Rumble in the Jungle, and it signified a huge cultural shift. And here there is no connection between the two whatsoever. This is a poor, uninformed effort, and one that is sacrilegious to those who know what the phrase “Ali Bomaye” actually means: [LISTEN]
Ali Bomaye! Ali Bomaye!I’m about to rumble in the jungle in these new KanyeAli Bomaye! Ali Bomaye!
‘Jesus Piece feat. Kanye West & Common‘
Bringing aboard Kanye and Common for the title cut seems like a solid move in terms of reaching a particular niche in the market, but the lack of interest on both their parts comes across from the beginning. Kanye is virtually nonexistent on the song, confined solely to the hook, and Common seems to have put minimal effort in his contribution. In his final verse Common says his sacrifices are Christ-like, which is a bizarre statement to make. Especially when considering Common’s reputation as a grounded lyricist: [LISTEN]
Eagerness to live life and see the bright lights
To sacrifices we made it’s sorta Christ-like
At the after party thinking what the afterlife’s like
‘All That (Lady) feat. Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Fabolouse & Jerimiah‘
Sampling D’Angelo’s “Lady” is a bold move. It’s possible that it’s too soon to be sampling a classic song like that, but the all-star lineup manages to bring a unique flavor of their own thanks impart to some clever wordplay from Lil Wayne and Big Sean. The only issue is that the sample isn’t veiled enough to have this song stand on its own. It’s intended to be a club joint. But because of the lack of creativity from production duo Cool & Dre it’s stuck in stylistic limbo: [LISTEN]
You know I love you like cooked food, I’m a good dude
Let’s hit the Roscoe’s on Pico, I’m in a hood mood
I’m sittin here thinkin bout all the things I could do
‘See No Evil feat. Kendrick Lamar‘
For a majority of the album The Game relies heavily on his peers to ignite his creative stagnation, and here he looks to fellow Compton native Kendrick Lamar to do the same. Together the two play off each other like longtime sparing partners, their dialogue offering up seldom seen snapshots of Compton street life. Kendrick is the shining star, delivering lines like a young Slick Rick. As a stand alone this track, it’s the most honest exchange on the album: [LISTEN]
Respect the code, a niggas calling from the pen
Colmbian neck-ties on the outside from within
‘Celebration feat. Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tyga & Wiz Khalifa‘
Once again The Game dips back into the 90s for inspiration, this time borrowing from Bone Thugs N Harmony’s “1st of Da Month.” In many ways this works as a celebratory anthem, and the game and company do an admirable job, but as a whole it’s more a novelty act than a fully realized product. Wiz Khalifa’s cameo is just as non-existent as Kanye’s, and it’s a bit egomaniacal to think that a simple name drop would turn a pedestrian product into something more: [LISTEN]
Nigga blowing on that ayo breakin’ down them trees
I’m out the door with the dro and the keys
Scoopin’ up Chrs and I’m hittin’ the freeway
