The Game – Jesus Piece

Jayceon Terrell Taylor a.k.a. The Game hasn’t been in the starting rotation since his 2005 debut The Documentary. As an original member of 50 Cent’s G-Unit crew, it was no surprise The Documentary went 2x platinum – the Compton-bred Blood had plenty of help from 50, Eminem, the late Nate Dogg, and Mary J. Blige (most importantly, Dr. Dre produced the album). Back then, his music was revitalizing West Coast gangsta rap, his flow was fresh, and he had all of Aftermath Entertainment behind him. For nearly a decade, Game has ridden the coattails of his former success, painfully forcing out an album every two years, but his new release Jesus Piece shows bits of promise. Unfortunately anything worthwhile off Jesus Piece has little to do with the rapper who used to “take all the credit for putting the West back on the map.”

Jesus Piece is a significant stylistic departure from The Game’s previous work. The record is light-hearted compared to albums like LAX and The Documentary, with less writing about crack cocaine, murder, and Compton life. Instead of recording with thugs like 50 and Nate Dogg, he’s in the booth with thoughtful performers like Kendrick Lemar and Common. Kanye teases us by slapping his name on “Jesus Piece” but only groans a few half-assed “hanhs” before ditching Common and Game.

The LP’s lineup is stacked with other big names: Young Jeezy, Wiz Kahlifa, 2 Chainz, and Rick Ross. Unfortunately, The Game is so out of touch with hip-hop at this point; no one can save the record. Kendrick Lamar crushes “See No Evil” and “Hallelujah” featuring Jamie Foxx is reminiscent of Kayne’s early work. It’s also the only track where The Game really catches his old flow and delivers. Cool & Dre’s production outshines everyone on “All That (Lady)” a filthy, uncreative toast to pussy, lead by the King of Snatch-referencing, Weezy F. Baby. The Game’s entire career can be summed up on the album’s hottest track “Ali Bomaye,” where Black Metaphor’s genius production work lays The Game’s tired, useless flow flat on its back.

Jesus Piece is The Game’s first noteworthy record since 2005. It’s shamelessly packed with big names but somehow still out of touch with today’s hip-hop. The fact that Chris Brown leads the album’s only single “Celebration” is a testament to how soft (or desperate) The Game has become. The glory days of G-Unit, West Coast hardcore, and gangsta rap are long over. Even with the monumental help Game receives on Jesus Piece, he’s still unable to get back in touch with what made him interesting in the first place – being homies with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Hate it or love it, Jesus Piece is the same brazen, dismissible music we’ve come to expect from The Game since The Documentary.

3/5 bars