The Game

It's been a while since we've heard from Game. Yes, the Purp and Patron mixtape had some heaters, but it pales in comparison to latest studio effort The R.E.D. Album. Chock-full of quality guests and producers, it may come across as bloated upon first glance; however, one listen to Jayceon's gruff flow, coupled with the litany of excellent beats, quickly confirms that Game's still holding down the "old" part of the New West. Minus an earful of softness ("All The Way Gone," featuring Mario and Wale), this album sees Game back in fine form from start to finish. Whether it's the Gino anthem-sampling (Zombie Nation's "Kernkraft 400") menace of his Blood banger, "Red Nation," featuring Weezy, or the tightness he serves up with Preemo on "Born in the Trap," Game sounds hungry, well rested and relevant all at once. Game has always ridden strong for the West coast and there's definitely no doubt that he still does on his latest project.