Did I mention there are no Dr. Dre beats on the new joint?
For Game’s first album, the Compton native had six songs that were produced by Dr. Dre, which is the same total amount of songs Dre produced for 50 Cent’s first and second albums. The reason I did not mention it is because the lack of “Dre beats” did not constitute a lack of quality. The interesting thing about the production on Doctor's Advocate is that it still sounds like Dre had a hand in the production. Scott Storch, DJ Khalil (of Self Scientific) and EP both craft Dr. Dre worthy songs on “Let’s Ride”, “Da S***” and “Lookin’ at You”.
Just Blaze returns with two of the best songs on the album, including “Remedy,” which uses a classic Isaac Hayes sample (last used by Public Enemy). The other standout track on the Game's latest is the long rumored collaboration with NAS on the soulful “Why You Hate The Game”.
Doctor’s Advocate has guest appearances that fit well in with the overall sound of the album. Most of the featured guest spots work well, like Snoop Dogg, Daz Kurupt, Xzibit. However, some guest rappers seem out of place, like Kanye West, for example.
The Game's latest, which may well sell over 2 million over the next few months, recruits some top notch singers like Marsha Ambrosius (of Floetry), Nate Dogg, Junior Reid (of Black Uhuru) and actor/singer, Jamie Foxx.
Lyrically, Doctor’s Advocate is about establishing The Game as a rapper that can stand on his own as an individual and not a part of a crew or a product of a producer. The lack of Dre's steady hand is mentioned several times on the album, and the title track features Game and Busta Rhymes talking directly to Dre about problems between Game and Dre. The Kanye West produced “Wouldn’t Get Far” takes some cheap shots at Vida Guerra, Hoopz and Melyssa Ford in a cross between Biggie’s “Dreams” and Tupac’s “It’s All About You”.
The Doctor’s Advocate is a good follow up to The Documentary. The Game really just needs to try to keep the focus on him and his music and not beefs and other non music issues.
