The R.E.D. Album
Encyclopedia
The R.E.D. Album is the fourth studio album
by American rapper and West Coast hip hop
artist Game, which was released on August 23, 2011 through DGC Records
and Interscope Records
after almost two years of delays since late 2009 and being rescheduled a total of 10 times. Before the albums official release and unlike the several previous given release dates, Game confirmed that the new release date of August 23, 2011 given would be permanent for good, The R.E.D. Album was also thought to be released under Dr. Dre
's Aftermath Entertainment
and that it would mark Game's return to Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, the two record labels that released his debut album, The Documentary
, before a feud with former fellow G-Unit
labelmate 50 Cent
caused him to release his two following albums, 2006's Doctor's Advocate and 2008's LAX, on Geffen Records
, but this was proved untrue.
Recording sessions for the album took place between early 2009 and late 2011 at Ameraycan Recording Studios, at Pacifique Recording Studios
both located in North Hollywood, California, at Encore Recording Studios in Burbank, California
and at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. According to Game, Dr. Dre
, Pharrell Williams
and Mars (of production group 1500 or Nothin') would be executive producer
's on the album. It was also stated that Game worked with a wide range of record producers during the albums recording sessions, those including Boi-1da
, Cool & Dre
, DJ Khalil
, DJ Premier
, Don Cannon
, Hit-Boy
, Maestro, StreetRunner
, The Futuristics as well as Bangladesh
, DJ Quik
, Drumma Boy
, Hi-Tek
, Jim Jonsin
, Jeff Bhasker, Just Blaze
, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
, J. R. Rotem
, Kanye West
, Lex Luger
, Nottz
, No I.D.
, Nottz
, Polow da Don
, Ryan Leslie
, RZA
, Scoop DeVille
, Scott Storch
, Swizz Beatz
, Timbaland
, will.i.am
and many others that did not make the final cut.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200
chart, selling 98,000 copies in its first week, a major fall from his previous three released album sales. It has produced two singles, the controversial and less success "Red Nation
" and "Pot of Gold
", which attained some Billboard
and worldwide chart success. Upon its release, The R.E.D. Album received generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who commended his passionate performance on the album and ear for production.
didn't want him to retire, and that the label wanted him to come back and release another album in early February 2009. Game commented that the statement given was so far off his radar and that it was ridiculous. He later stated "Now, if you give me like five, ten million dollars or something to do it[...]I'm the biggest thing in that building now, with the recent demise of G-Unit
, and that's just it, man."
However, in early May 2009, it was revealed that Game had begun working on a new album titled D.O.C. or Diary of Compton, if he could get help from the original N.W.A members, those including Dr. Dre
, Ice Cube
, DJ Yella
, and MC Ren
. Later in late November 2009, HipHopDX interviewed Game about the album's current status, he commented that the album had been shelved, because he needed the help and focus from Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg
, stating that the key elements were not there when he started the project. In the same interview, Game revealed he partly chose to give the album its title because his fans simply gave the early material he recorded for the album, "R.E.D". He later stated that he would re-dedicate himself to Hip hop music
and make a comeback, after stating that he would retire after the release of his third album, LAX. In a later interview with MTV
, he explained the title's meaning: "R.E.D." standed for "RE-Dedication", not his affiliation with the notorious Los Angeles, California
street gang, the Bloods
, as previously thought.
both located in North Hollywood, California, at Encore Recording Studios in Burbank, California
and at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Recording sessions for the album began on May 13, 2009, and it was revealed that Game began recording with Timbaland
and Drumma Boy
in Los Angeles, California
. Game also revealed to MTV
that he had been working with record producers J. R. Rotem
, Mike Lynn and Cool & Dre
, and hoped to receive production from Kanye West
. In an interview with XXL
, Boi-1da
stated that he had given beats to Game for the album.
Later, in another interview with XXL, Game confirmed that the album's guests would include fellow rappers Lil Wayne
, Pharrell Williams
, Gucci Mane
and Kanye West, and also stating that he desired to work with pop singer Lady Gaga
, stating that he was trying to get Interscope Records
executive Jimmy Iovine
to allow this collaboration to come to fruition. On October 3, 2009, Snoop Dogg
posted a picture on the social networking website Twitter
of himself, Dr. Dre
and Game in the studio working together. The picture was taken a day earlier, and it marked the first time Game had worked with Dr. Dre for some years since the beef with former fellow G-Unit
labelmate 50 Cent
caused him to
lose his record deal at Aftermath Entertainment
and Interscope Records, and release his two following albums on Geffen Records
. Later, in early January 2010, Game posted a picture of himself wearing several chains, all with the Aftermath Entertainment logo attached to them, with the caption reading "It's funny how things come Full Circle" to his own Twitter page, suggesting that he had returned to the record label: this was later officially confirmed.
Game later revealed that Dr. Dre and Pharrell Williams would be executive producing
the album. However, later Game stated that he was now "unclear" if Dr. Dre would be producing on the album at all. Also, in early January 2010, Game revealed to Billboard
that DJ Khalil
had contributed production for the album. He revealed to Rap-Up
that R&B singer Chris Brown and Dr. Dre would be featured on the album. R&B singer Akon
had also been confirmed to be featured on a track titled "Would I Be Wrong?" with production from Polow da Don
. Game later confirmed a collaboration with pop singer Justin Timberlake
saying that "I never thought in my life that I would ever work with Justin, and then for it to turn out and be as catastrophic as it was amazing." He also confirmed that he enlisted upcoming female rapper Nicki Minaj
for a feature. Game recorded a song with both rappers Jim Jones
and Jadakiss
titled "Gangs in New York" which highlighted production from new and upcoming record producer Scoop DeVille
.
Game later revealed that he collaborated with rapper Rick Ross
, R&B singers Robin Thicke
, Ashanti, and rappers Bow Wow, Beanie Sigel
and upcoming rapper Jay Electronica
. Game revealed that rapper and record producer RZA
had also contributed production for the album. Game also stated that Belizean
rapper Shyne
would be a guest on the album as well. On June 11, 2010, Game leaked a song on his Twitter
account titled "We Do It Big". It featured southern rapper Yung Joc
and it samples the classic hit "Juicy
" by deceased rapper The Notorious B.I.G.
. He also spoke in an interview on 95.7 The Beat's live chat in which he stated that rapper Nas
would not make the album this time. Game also gave his thoughts on upcoming rapper Drake
and Will Smith
. In addition to this Game confirmed Nelly Furtado
, T.I.
and Snoop Dogg
would be featured on the album, with production coming from Dr. Dre, The Neptunes
, Kanye West
, and Timbaland
. During his promotional tour of America, Game spoke to Jenny Boom Boom on Hot 97.3 and stated that the album's repeated delays have meant he been able to work with DJ Toomp
, and was also hoping to record with DJ Premier
, before the album's release.
Game confirmed that fellow West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg would appear twice on the album, as well as rapper Lupe Fiasco
guest featuring on the album. He also stated "pending we get the song cleared", Jay Electronica and Nas would be featured on the album forsure. On June 23, 2010, Game recorded a track from the album titled "Good Girl, Bad Girl" at Encore Studios in Burbank, California
, the track featured Canadian rapper Drake
and production from Cool & Dre
, also Queen Latifah
was in the recordings at the studio but didn't collaborate. Game later revealed that Dr. Dre wouldn't just produce on the album he would be on there vocally. In August 2010 producer Bangladesh
, stated that he had been sending Game tracks for the album. Later in August 2010 producer Drumma Boy
, stated that he had produced a song for the album that also featured Young Buck
, and was hoping to get Nipsey Hussle
on the track as well. Black Wall Street
artist, Mysonne, also confirmed that he had worked on the album with Game.
On December 7, 2010, it was confirmed that rapper B.o.B
was working on the album with Game. Game later confirmed that he had recording sessions with production team 1500 or Nothin', and later officially confirmed that Kanye West
and DJ Premier
had contributed production for the album. He also stated that he had recording sessions with several other record producers, including Jim Jonsin
, No I.D.
, Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz
, will.i.am
, Just Blaze
, The Futuristics, DJ Quik
, Nottz
, Hi-Tek
, Maestro, Ryan Leslie
, Dessy Des, TreBeatz, StreetRunner
, Don Cannon
, Scott Storch
, Hit-Boy
, Phonix, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
, Tha Bizness and Lex Luger
. Later revealing that Tyga
, Red Cafe
, K-Young, Mary J. Blige
, Diddy
, Ludacris
, Ne-Yo
, Jazmine Sullivan
, Wu-Tang Clan
, Common
, Young Jeezy
, Busta Rhymes
, Wiz Khalifa
, Big Boi
and AZ
were all confirmed to be working on the album as well.
On January 18, 2011 Game tweeted along with a picture that he was working on a song with actor, R&B singer Tyrese Gibson. Later on January 30, 2011 in an interview with AllHipHop
, Game confirmed that rapper E-40
and R&B singer Trey Songz
would be featured on the album. On June 2, 2011, in an interview with Vibe, Game revealed that the album would feature upcoming rapper Tyler, The Creator
on a track called "Martians vs. Goblins". He also revealed that the album featured a Dr. Dre produced song about his father, and described it as a "sort of like a dream, but I wish it would’ve came true when I was a kid, so I kind of lived it out." On June 11, 2011 Game confirmed that rapper Kendrick Lamar
would be featured on the album as well.
Later, in an interview with Rap-Up
, Game spoke about a reflective song he recorded with singer Nelly Furtado titled "Mother Knows", produced by The Neptunes, describing it as a "walk through a time period in my life when I was young and my mom was trying to instill all these values in me and I was just a rebel and going against everything she said". He also compared Nelly Furtado's singing on the hook to Janet Jackson
. On June 13, 2011 Game revealed to Rap-Up that he did a song with rapper Lupe Fiasco titled "Skate On". Later on June 16, 2011 in another interview with Rap-Up, Game expressed interest in collaborating with rapper J. Cole.
On June 23, 2011 it was confirmed that R&B singer Usher
would be featured on the album. On July 5, 2011 it was confirmed that Mars of production duo 1500 or Nothin' would be also executive producing
on the album. On July 9, 2011 rapper Wale
himself confirmed that he would be featured on the album. Later on August 4, 2011 after almost three years of spending time on recording for the album it was confirmed that Game finally finished recording for the entire album. It was also confirmed by Game that Dr. Dre would narrate the entire album.
needing more time to finish production for the album. The next confirmed date for the album to be released was June 15, 2010 but was changed to June 29, 2010.
The next release date given for the album was listed as July 6, 2010 but this time Game delayed the release date himself, because he wanted to release the album on August 24, 2010 in order to dedicate it to Los Angeles Lakers
player Kobe Bryant
. He stated that he chose August 24 cause he got caught up in the 2010 NBA Finals
frenzy and was inspired by his home team hero Kobe Bryant, but later that date would be pushed back as well.
After almost two years of delays, on May 5, 2011 it was officially confirmed by Game and Interscope Records
executive Jimmy Iovine
that the album would be officially released in late August, 2011, and that it would not be pushed back any further. Later, on May 17, 2011, Game announced via Twitter
that he had just finished a conference call with Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records, then he went on and officially confirmed that the album would be officially released on August 23, 2011. Unlike in the past, Game promised that the new date given would be permanent.
Before the albums official release, Game admitted and told Billboard
that he delayed the release of the album to cause maximum disruption to his hip-hop rivals, stating that he wanted to drop the album right in the middle of Jay-Z
and Kanye West
's collaboration Watch the Throne
and Lil Wayne
's Tha Carter IV
, saying that it was his ingenious plan.
as a "Gangsta Grillz" project: however, he cancelled his participation in the project after hearing several of the disses
aimed at him in the freestyle track "400 Bars", and was replaced by long-time Game collaborator DJ Skee
.
The aforementioned "400 Bars", a 20-minute long freestyle over four-hundred consecutive bars of music (over the production of the Jay Electronica
song "Exhibit C
") was later only included on the mixtape in a remixed form, titled "The Skeemix". Game admitted it was the hardest freestyle he had ever had to record, having previously recorded "300 Bars" and "360 Bars" for previous mixtapes. Guests on the mixtape include Nipsey Hussle
, Lil Wayne
, Birdman, Kanary Diamonds, Busta Rhymes
, Bizzy Bone
, Hurricane Chris
, Fabolous
, and several members of Game's own record label, The Black Wall Street Records
, including XO, K-Young, Menace, Maad Maxx and Juice.
Later that year, on August 3, 2010, Game released the mixtape Brake Lights, available to download through XXL
, again hosted by DJ Skee
. The mixtape's guests include Snoop Dogg
, Nas
, T.I.
, Akon
, Rick Ross
, Waka Flocka Flame
, Busta Rhymes
, Robin Thicke
and Shawty Lo
, and production is handled by several producers, including DJ Toomp
, J. R. Rotem
and Rich Skillz, among others. In a later interview with XXL, Game revealed that Brake Lights was designed to be an appetiser to The R.E.D. Album, released mainly to keep up anticipation for the album until its completion.
On January 24, 2011, Game released the double disc mixtape Purp & Patron
, again hosted by DJ Skee
, but this time also by Funkmaster Flex
. Guests on the mixtape include Pharrell Williams
, Snoop Dogg
, Lil Wayne
, Detail, Tools, Sam Hook, Menace, TD, Mistah F.A.B.
, The Jacka
, Wiz Khalifa
, Fabolous
, Rev. Burke, Mysonne, T-Pain
, Rick Ross
, Ashanti, Kurupt
, Lil Boosie
, Jim Jones
, Clinton Sparks
, Mike Epps
, Ashley Cole, Swizz Beatz
, Travis Barker, Doug E. Fresh
, Big Daddy Kane
, KRS-One
and Dre
, and the mixtape's production was handled by several record producers, including Dr. Dre
, Ervin 'EP' Pope, The Neptunes
, Bink
, DJ Shake, Nottz
, 1500 or Nothin', Che Vicious, D.A. Dorman, Cool & Dre
, RZA
, Stargate
, Mike City
, Raw Uncut, Denaun Porter, DJ Haze, DJ Green Lantern
, and Travis Barker
, among others.
Upon its release, the mixtape was a internet download success, and received generally positive reviews from music critics. A week after the mixtape's initial release, a sequel was released, titled Purp & Patron: The Hangover, a 10 track mixtape of leftover songs that were not included on the original Purp & Patron. The mixtape's guests include Birdman, Mars of 1500 or Nothin', Timbaland
, Kurupt
, JoiStaRR, David Banner
, Ghostface Killah
, Joell Ortiz
, Young Chris
, Eve, Black Thought
, Money Malc, Fat Joe
, Fred the Godson, Diggy Simmons, Jermaine Dupri
, and Busta Rhymes
, and the mixtape's production is handled by several record producers, including 1500 or Nothin', Timbaland
, Amadeus and Sean C & LV.
On July 7, 2011, Game announced via Twitter
that he and Mars of production duo 1500 or Nothin' would be releasing one final mixtape in the run-up to the album's release, titled HoodMorning [No Typo] [Candy Coronas], and it was released on August 1, 2011. The mixtape's guests include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Gucci Mane, B.o.B
, Wiz Khalifa, Sam Cooke
, Redman, Joi StaRR, Paypa, Trey Songz
, and Yelawolf
, and the mixtape's production is handled by several record producers, including Mars, DJ Khalil
, Lifted, Che Vicious, Boi-1da
, Terrace Martin
, Gun Roulet, Point Guard, Rance, Cool & Dre, and Jim Jonsin
.
, followed by "Big Money" released on December 15, 2009 to the iTunes Store, "It Must Be Me" released on April 14, 2010 to the radio, then officially being released on April 27, 2010 to the iTunes Store and on February 3, 2010, Game released another promo single entitled "Shake" but it wasn't released to the iTunes Store. Music videos have been shot for "Shake" and "It Must Be Me". MTV
premiered the video for "Shake" on April 27, 2010. The video for the street single "It Must Be Me" was set to be premiered live on 106 & Park
on June 4, 2010 but it never premiered.
The first official single was supposed to be "Ain't No Doubt About It", which features Justin Timberlake
& Pharrell Williams. Later, in an interview with Complex, it was revealed that "Krazy", "Big Money," and "It Must Be Me", were all promotional singles for iTunes and digital download, indicating that none of them would actually make the album. He did however confirm in that same interview, that "Ain't No Doubt About It," wasn't supposed to be the first main single as it was a leak, the single was released on May 18, 2010 to the iTunes Store A video for the single "Ain't No Doubt About It" had also been shot but was never released till on July 2, 2011.
As these songs all failed to chart, Game decided to have them all removed from the album and chose instead to release them on various mixtapes, including The Red Room and the Brake Lights mixtapes. Although confirmed to the album's second official single "Bottles & Rockin' J's" which is produced by Lex Luger
, and
features DJ Khaled
, Fabolous
, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes
and Rick Ross
, it was later confirmed to be the album's sixth street single.
" was announced as the album's first official single on March 2, 2011. The song features production from Cool & Dre
, and Sean "Diddy" Combs
announced via his Twitter
page that the single would feature fellow American rapper Lil Wayne
. Anticipated by fans to be officially released, the single was officially released to the iTunes Store
on April 12, 2011, but it did not achieve commercial success worldwide nor in the United States, only peaking at number sixty-two on the Billboard Hot 100
. In spite of reaching chart success, the music video for the single came under some controversy, being banned from airing on cable networks MTV
and BET
due to being deemed inappropriate and being a portrayal of gang culture
, causing a controversy due to Game's alleged affiliation with the notorious Los Angeles, California
gang the Bloods
. However, Game refused to let the snub derail his plans for promotion, so he still vowed to release the video online so fans can form their own opinions about the controversy for themselves. After the music videos release and quickly receiving over 3 million views on YouTube
, there were rumors that BET and MTV were reconsidering airing the banned Red Nation video.
On June 22, 2011 it was confirmed that the album's second official single would be titled "Pot of Gold
" and it would feature R&B singer Chris Brown with production from The Futuristics, the single was officially released to the iTunes Store on June 28, 2011. The song debuted at number seventy-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart in the United States for the week ending July 30, 2011, and has since peaked at number fifty-five. Unlike the albums first single "Red Nation", Pot of Gold managed to attained some Billboard
and worldwide chart success, in Belgium the song charted at number 29 on the Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)
, in Switzerland the song charted at number 72 on the Swiss Singles Chart
, and in the United Kingdom the song charted at number 16 on the UK R&B Singles Chart
and at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart
. While shooting for the single's music video an incident occurred with record producer and one half of the production duo 1500 or Nothin' Mars was held up at gunpoint and got robbed of $12,000 in cash and jewelry by two armed robbers. The music video for the single was officially released on July 25, 2011.
performances.
Just three days after the US tour Game went on the Red Album European Tour 2011. The tour Begin on November 20, 2011 and concluding December 22, 2011 stops included Dublin, Ireland, Glasgow, UK, Paris, France, Stuttgart, Germany, Milan, Italy, Zurich, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Holland, Copenhagen, Denmark, Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, Oslo, Norway and more.
chart, with first-week sales of 98,000 copies in the United States, a major fall from his previous three released album sales. It serves as Game's 3rd number-one album in the US, following 2005's The Documentary
and 2006's Doctor's Advocate, his last album, LAX, debuted at No. 2 in 2008 with 239,000 according to Nielsen SoundScan
. It also reached number one on Billboard
s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
and Top Rap Albums
charts. In its second week on the Billboard 200, the album fell to number 8 with only 39,000 copies sold. As of November 16, 2011, the album has sold 206,000 copies in the United States.
In Canada, it entered at number 2 on the Canadian Albums Chart
, with first-week sales of 10,000 copies. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart
, with first-week sales of 10,148 copies. In Austria, the album debuted at number 39 on the Austrian Albums Chart, and in Australia, the album debuted at number 12 on the Australian Albums Chart
. In Belgian, the album debuted at number 75 on the Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)
and peaked at number 32, and in the Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)
the album debuted at number 36. In Denmark, the album debuted at number 17 on the Danish Albums Chart
, in the Netherlands, the album debuted at number 45 on the Dutch Albums Chart
, in the France, the album debuted at number 30 on the French Albums Chart
, in the Republic of Ireland, the album debuted at number 7 on the Irish Albums Chart
, in New Zealand, the album debuted at number 19 on the New Zealand Albums Chart, in Norway, the album debuted at number 28 on the Norwegian Albums Chart
and peaked at number 27, and in Switzerland, the album debuted at number 7 on the Swiss Albums Chart
.
s. At Metacritic
, which assigns a weighted mean
rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average
score of 61, based on 16 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews." Allmusic editor David Jeffries viewed it as if "you’ve got an obsession-free, almost relatable success that sacrifices none of the man’s fire or skill." [...] and perceived that "Game doesn’t need strife in his life to create an excellent album, but for the sake of a thrilling cut, he’ll still seek it out." BBC Music
stated that, "Overall, The R.E.D. Album stands as a solid return for its maker, as long-time listeners will connect with his no-frills lyrics and unsettling artistic demeanour." Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club
commented that "Throughout The R.E.D. Album, he runs himself ragged trying to realize the masterpiece he pictures in his head, but he just doesn’t have the coordination to pull it off." Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe
wrote that, "The Game shows a willingness to reinvent himself with some beats that are as penetrating and resourceful as his engaging rhymes filled with sports and pop-culture references." Slant Magazine
's Jesse Cataldo felt that "The profusion of guests and mania for exhibiting street hardness sometimes makes The R.E.D. Album feel unfocused and exhausting." Edna Gundersen
of USA Today
praised the rapper's "chemistry" and wrote that "Game invigorates West Coast rap with grit, ferocity, vivid rhymes, crushing beats and even a hilarious and vicious sci-fi romp."
Writer David Malitz of The Washington Post
felt that the album "is overstuffed with high-wattage cameos." [...] adding that "Game surrounds himself with these stars, regularly gets out-rapped by them and proceeds to thrust his chest out and proclaim his superiority." Los Angeles Times
writer Mikael Wood commented that "In stark contrast with such charm merchants as Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, Game’s low likability is no impediment to his art; indeed, The R.E.D. Album, his fourth studio set, succeeds not in spite of his character [...] flaws but because of them." Carl Chery of XXL
gave the album a rating of "L" and noted "Game’s flows and lyrical skills are still sharp, but his narrative hasn’t changed much through the course of four albums". Despite that "one shouldn’t be surprised," David Amidon of PopMatters
wrote "A lot of what initially made Game an intriguing artist is missing from this release, replaced instead by fleeting moments of great music and extended periods of mediocrity or whackness." [...] and added that "neither should one be surprised at the schizophrenic nature that pervades much of the album." Pitchfork Media
's Jordan Sargent commented that the albums "unsightly storm of star power is the backbone [...] of what could've been a coherent album." Arwa Haider of Metro viewed it as a "cinematic drama of the rapper's Westside life experience, which could easily have become schmaltzy but is fuelled by his rugged wordplay and guests on sharp form."
Monica Herrera of Rolling Stone
stated that "the Compton MC doesn't seem to have given his long-delayed fourth album top priority." [...] however commented "It's proof that, just when you least expect it, he can still rage compellingly." Jayson Greene of The Village Voice
gave a mixed review, writing "when there is a firm hand reining him in, Game can still make good rap music. Left to his own devices, however, he produces a dismaying mess." Chase McMullen of One Thirty BPM
expressed a mixed response towards the album, stating "With this mixed bag he's likely cemented his reputation as a MC that was blessed with a sack of classic beats for his debut, now just a rapper like the rest of 'em." Chad Grischow of IGN
wrote "Fortunately, Game is on point most of the time here, delivering an excellent piece of hardened west coast rap leaving you wanting the two albums he promises before quitting rap as soon as possible." Anupa Mistry of Now
felt that "The features wouldn’t be so bad if Game didn’t yield to the wattage and personalities of his co-stars. (Again, he can rap when he tries.) Used as a constant crutch, however, they quell his ferocity."
(add.) Additional production
.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American rapper and West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
artist Game, which was released on August 23, 2011 through DGC Records
DGC Records
DGC Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and currently operates as an auxiliary label of Interscope Records.-Company history:...
and Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
after almost two years of delays since late 2009 and being rescheduled a total of 10 times. Before the albums official release and unlike the several previous given release dates, Game confirmed that the new release date of August 23, 2011 given would be permanent for good, The R.E.D. Album was also thought to be released under Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
's Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
and that it would mark Game's return to Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, the two record labels that released his debut album, The Documentary
The Documentary
The Documentary is the debut studio album by West Coast rapper Game, released on January 18, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. After recovering from a shooting in late 2001, The Game pursued a rap career and was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to his...
, before a feud with former fellow G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
labelmate 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
caused him to release his two following albums, 2006's Doctor's Advocate and 2008's LAX, on Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, but this was proved untrue.
Recording sessions for the album took place between early 2009 and late 2011 at Ameraycan Recording Studios, at Pacifique Recording Studios
Pacifique Recording Studios
Pacifique Recording Studios is an award-winning mixing and recording studio based in North Hollywood, California. The studios were established in 1984 by Joe, Ken, and Vic Deranteriasian, and underwent a redesign in 1995. By 1999, Pacifique installed its second SSL console, the 9000 J Series...
both located in North Hollywood, California, at Encore Recording Studios in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
and at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. According to Game, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
and Mars (of production group 1500 or Nothin') would be executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
's on the album. It was also stated that Game worked with a wide range of record producers during the albums recording sessions, those including Boi-1da
Boi-1da
Matthew Samuels , better known as Boi-1da , is a Canadian hip-hop producer from Toronto, Ontario. He has produced for artists and groups such as Chip tha Ripper, Kardinal Offishall, Clipse, Drake, Eminem, Saukrates, k-os, G-Unit, and The Diplomats among others...
, Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, DJ Khalil
DJ Khalil
Khalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite...
, DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, Don Cannon
Don Cannon
Donald Cannon is an American record producer and DJ. At the age of five, Donald Cannon began his musical career with his first a set of turntables, a mixer and a karaoke machine...
, Hit-Boy
Hit-Boy
Chauncey Hollis, better known as Hit-Boy is an American hip-hop, R&B and contemporary platinum-level music producer currently signed to GOOD Music Born Chauncey Hollis, on May 21, 1987 in Fontana, California, he is the son of Chauncey Hollis Sr. and Tanisha Bedford. He is best known for his...
, Maestro, StreetRunner
StreetRunner
Nicholas Warwar, better known as STREETRUNNER, is a Grammy Award Winning American record producer and DJ who works and lives in Miami, Florida. He first gained recognition in 2004 for producing Terror Squad's hit single, "Take Me Home". More recently he has gained fame for working with Lil Wayne on...
, The Futuristics as well as Bangladesh
Bangladesh (producer)
Shondrae Crawford, better known as Bangladesh or Mr. Bangladesh, is a Grammy Award winning American record producer and disc jockey and rapper, who was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.- Life and career :...
, DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, Drumma Boy
Drumma Boy
Christopher James Gholson, better known by his stage name Drumma Boy, is a multi-platinum award winning record producer and rapper from Memphis, Tennessee.-Early life:...
, Hi-Tek
Hi-Tek
Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
, Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
, Jeff Bhasker, Just Blaze
Just Blaze
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which stands for Just Undeniably Some of The Illest Composers Ever, are a Grammy winning group of producers and instrumentalists from Tampa, Florida. The group consists of members Rook, Colione, and Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei. Most recently, they have been producing for Drake,...
, J. R. Rotem
J. R. Rotem
- Early life :Rotem was born in South Africa to Israeli immigrant Jewish parents. He moved to Toronto at the age of two and finally to Moraga, California when he was twelve.Rotem's entry point into music was in receiving classical piano tuition at a young age...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Lex Luger
Lex Luger (producer)
Lexus Arnel Lewis better known by his stage name Lex Luger, is an American record producer from Suffolk, Virginia who is signed to 1017 Brick Squad.-Career:...
, Nottz
Nottz
Dominick Lamb better known by his stage name, Nottz is a music producer, writer and rapper from Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. He sometimes extends his executive name to Nottz Raw.-History:...
, No I.D.
No I.D.
No I.D., officially known as Immenslope and also known as Ernest Wilson , is a hip hop and R&B record producer, also the vice-president of Def Jam Recordings, best known for his early work with Chicago rapper Common and is known as "The Godfather of Chicago hip hop".. The nickname No I.D...
, Nottz
Nottz
Dominick Lamb better known by his stage name, Nottz is a music producer, writer and rapper from Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. He sometimes extends his executive name to Nottz Raw.-History:...
, Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
, Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
, RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
, Scoop DeVille
Scoop DeVille
Elijah Blue Molina, better known by his stage name Scoop DeVille, is a Hip hop producer and rapper from Los Angeles, California, who has produced songs for artists including Snoop Dogg, Baby Bash, Fat Joe, Game, and many others...
, Scott Storch
Scott Storch
Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox...
, Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
and many others that did not make the final cut.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart, selling 98,000 copies in its first week, a major fall from his previous three released album sales. It has produced two singles, the controversial and less success "Red Nation
Red Nation
"Red Nation" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from rapper Lil Wayne, from his anticipated fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
" and "Pot of Gold
Pot of Gold (Game song)
"Pot of Gold" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from R&B singer Chris Brown, from his fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
", which attained some Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and worldwide chart success. Upon its release, The R.E.D. Album received generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who commended his passionate performance on the album and ear for production.
Background and development
After the release of his third album, LAX in 2008, Game stated that he planned to retire from music to spend more time with his family and focus on what was more important to him at the time. However later, he stated that Interscope RecordsInterscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
didn't want him to retire, and that the label wanted him to come back and release another album in early February 2009. Game commented that the statement given was so far off his radar and that it was ridiculous. He later stated "Now, if you give me like five, ten million dollars or something to do it[...]I'm the biggest thing in that building now, with the recent demise of G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
, and that's just it, man."
However, in early May 2009, it was revealed that Game had begun working on a new album titled D.O.C. or Diary of Compton, if he could get help from the original N.W.A members, those including Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, DJ Yella
DJ Yella
DJ Yella is the stage name of Antoine Carraby , a DJ, drummer, music producer, film director and pornographer from Compton, California. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru along with Dr. Dre. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A...
, and MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
. Later in late November 2009, HipHopDX interviewed Game about the album's current status, he commented that the album had been shelved, because he needed the help and focus from Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, stating that the key elements were not there when he started the project. In the same interview, Game revealed he partly chose to give the album its title because his fans simply gave the early material he recorded for the album, "R.E.D". He later stated that he would re-dedicate himself to Hip hop music
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and make a comeback, after stating that he would retire after the release of his third album, LAX. In a later interview with MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, he explained the title's meaning: "R.E.D." standed for "RE-Dedication", not his affiliation with the notorious Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
street gang, the Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
, as previously thought.
Recording
Recording sessions for the album took place at Ameraycan Recording Studios, at Pacifique Recording StudiosPacifique Recording Studios
Pacifique Recording Studios is an award-winning mixing and recording studio based in North Hollywood, California. The studios were established in 1984 by Joe, Ken, and Vic Deranteriasian, and underwent a redesign in 1995. By 1999, Pacifique installed its second SSL console, the 9000 J Series...
both located in North Hollywood, California, at Encore Recording Studios in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
and at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Recording sessions for the album began on May 13, 2009, and it was revealed that Game began recording with Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
and Drumma Boy
Drumma Boy
Christopher James Gholson, better known by his stage name Drumma Boy, is a multi-platinum award winning record producer and rapper from Memphis, Tennessee.-Early life:...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. Game also revealed to MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
that he had been working with record producers J. R. Rotem
J. R. Rotem
- Early life :Rotem was born in South Africa to Israeli immigrant Jewish parents. He moved to Toronto at the age of two and finally to Moraga, California when he was twelve.Rotem's entry point into music was in receiving classical piano tuition at a young age...
, Mike Lynn and Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, and hoped to receive production from Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
. In an interview with XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
, Boi-1da
Boi-1da
Matthew Samuels , better known as Boi-1da , is a Canadian hip-hop producer from Toronto, Ontario. He has produced for artists and groups such as Chip tha Ripper, Kardinal Offishall, Clipse, Drake, Eminem, Saukrates, k-os, G-Unit, and The Diplomats among others...
stated that he had given beats to Game for the album.
Later, in another interview with XXL, Game confirmed that the album's guests would include fellow rappers Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
, Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane
Radric Davis , better known by his stage name Gucci Mane, is an American rapper. He debuted in 2005 with Trap House and followed with albums such as Hard to Kill in 2006, Trap-A-Thon and Back to the Trap House in 2007. In 2009, his second studio album The State vs. Radric Davis was released...
and Kanye West, and also stating that he desired to work with pop singer Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
, stating that he was trying to get Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
executive Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
to allow this collaboration to come to fruition. On October 3, 2009, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
posted a picture on the social networking website Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
of himself, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and Game in the studio working together. The picture was taken a day earlier, and it marked the first time Game had worked with Dr. Dre for some years since the beef with former fellow G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
labelmate 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
caused him to
lose his record deal at Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
and Interscope Records, and release his two following albums on Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. Later, in early January 2010, Game posted a picture of himself wearing several chains, all with the Aftermath Entertainment logo attached to them, with the caption reading "It's funny how things come Full Circle" to his own Twitter page, suggesting that he had returned to the record label: this was later officially confirmed.
Game later revealed that Dr. Dre and Pharrell Williams would be executive producing
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
the album. However, later Game stated that he was now "unclear" if Dr. Dre would be producing on the album at all. Also, in early January 2010, Game revealed to Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
that DJ Khalil
DJ Khalil
Khalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite...
had contributed production for the album. He revealed to Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
that R&B singer Chris Brown and Dr. Dre would be featured on the album. R&B singer Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
had also been confirmed to be featured on a track titled "Would I Be Wrong?" with production from Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
. Game later confirmed a collaboration with pop singer Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
saying that "I never thought in my life that I would ever work with Justin, and then for it to turn out and be as catastrophic as it was amazing." He also confirmed that he enlisted upcoming female rapper Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
for a feature. Game recorded a song with both rappers Jim Jones
Jim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
and Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
titled "Gangs in New York" which highlighted production from new and upcoming record producer Scoop DeVille
Scoop DeVille
Elijah Blue Molina, better known by his stage name Scoop DeVille, is a Hip hop producer and rapper from Los Angeles, California, who has produced songs for artists including Snoop Dogg, Baby Bash, Fat Joe, Game, and many others...
.
Game later revealed that he collaborated with rapper Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
, R&B singers Robin Thicke
Robin Thicke
Robin Charles Thicke is an Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as...
, Ashanti, and rappers Bow Wow, Beanie Sigel
Beanie Sigel
Dwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
and upcoming rapper Jay Electronica
Jay Electronica
Timothy Elpadaro Thedford , better known by his stage name Jay Electronica, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer...
. Game revealed that rapper and record producer RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
had also contributed production for the album. Game also stated that Belizean
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
rapper Shyne
Shyne
Moshe Levi Ben-David , better known by his stage name Shyne, is a Belizean rapper.-Background:...
would be a guest on the album as well. On June 11, 2010, Game leaked a song on his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account titled "We Do It Big". It featured southern rapper Yung Joc
Yung Joc
YaMar Jon Robinson , better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper.-Early life:Robinson's father, Vivian Young, ran a hair-care products company and helped him write a jingle for Revlon; Robinson founded his own label to release his music.-New Joc City :After Teaming with producer...
and it samples the classic hit "Juicy
Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)
"Juicy" is a song by hip hop artist The Notorious B.I.G. and his solo debut single from his 1994 debut album Ready to Die. It was produced by Poke of Trackmasters & Sean "Puffy" Combs. Its melody is sampled from Mtume's "Juicy Fruit", and has an alternative chorus sung by R&B girl group Total...
" by deceased rapper The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
. He also spoke in an interview on 95.7 The Beat's live chat in which he stated that rapper Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
would not make the album this time. Game also gave his thoughts on upcoming rapper Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
and Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
. In addition to this Game confirmed Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
, T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
and Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
would be featured on the album, with production coming from Dr. Dre, The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, and Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
. During his promotional tour of America, Game spoke to Jenny Boom Boom on Hot 97.3 and stated that the album's repeated delays have meant he been able to work with DJ Toomp
DJ Toomp
Aldrin Davis, better known as DJ Toomp, is an award-winning American record producer and DJ who works in Atlanta, Georgia. In the late 1980s he was MC Shy-D's DJ and went on tour with him and the 2 Live Crew as they performed at various venues across the country with other artists such as N.W.A...
, and was also hoping to record with DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, before the album's release.
Game confirmed that fellow West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg would appear twice on the album, as well as rapper Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
guest featuring on the album. He also stated "pending we get the song cleared", Jay Electronica and Nas would be featured on the album forsure. On June 23, 2010, Game recorded a track from the album titled "Good Girl, Bad Girl" at Encore Studios in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, the track featured Canadian rapper Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
and production from Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, also Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
was in the recordings at the studio but didn't collaborate. Game later revealed that Dr. Dre wouldn't just produce on the album he would be on there vocally. In August 2010 producer Bangladesh
Bangladesh (producer)
Shondrae Crawford, better known as Bangladesh or Mr. Bangladesh, is a Grammy Award winning American record producer and disc jockey and rapper, who was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.- Life and career :...
, stated that he had been sending Game tracks for the album. Later in August 2010 producer Drumma Boy
Drumma Boy
Christopher James Gholson, better known by his stage name Drumma Boy, is a multi-platinum award winning record producer and rapper from Memphis, Tennessee.-Early life:...
, stated that he had produced a song for the album that also featured Young Buck
Young Buck
David Darnell Brown , also known as Young Buck, is an American Southern rapper. Buck is a former member of the New York City Hip-Hop group G-Unit, also a former artist of G-Unit Records as of Nov 26, 2011...
, and was hoping to get Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey Hussle
Ermias Asghedome , better known by his stage name Nipsey Hussle. He is a Westcoast rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Music career:...
on the track as well. Black Wall Street
The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records is a record label founded by Jayceon "Game" Taylor and his half-brother George "Big Fase 100" Taylor III.-History:...
artist, Mysonne, also confirmed that he had worked on the album with Game.
On December 7, 2010, it was confirmed that rapper B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
was working on the album with Game. Game later confirmed that he had recording sessions with production team 1500 or Nothin', and later officially confirmed that Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
had contributed production for the album. He also stated that he had recording sessions with several other record producers, including Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
, No I.D.
No I.D.
No I.D., officially known as Immenslope and also known as Ernest Wilson , is a hip hop and R&B record producer, also the vice-president of Def Jam Recordings, best known for his early work with Chicago rapper Common and is known as "The Godfather of Chicago hip hop".. The nickname No I.D...
, Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, Just Blaze
Just Blaze
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
, The Futuristics, DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, Nottz
Nottz
Dominick Lamb better known by his stage name, Nottz is a music producer, writer and rapper from Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. He sometimes extends his executive name to Nottz Raw.-History:...
, Hi-Tek
Hi-Tek
Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
, Maestro, Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
, Dessy Des, TreBeatz, StreetRunner
StreetRunner
Nicholas Warwar, better known as STREETRUNNER, is a Grammy Award Winning American record producer and DJ who works and lives in Miami, Florida. He first gained recognition in 2004 for producing Terror Squad's hit single, "Take Me Home". More recently he has gained fame for working with Lil Wayne on...
, Don Cannon
Don Cannon
Donald Cannon is an American record producer and DJ. At the age of five, Donald Cannon began his musical career with his first a set of turntables, a mixer and a karaoke machine...
, Scott Storch
Scott Storch
Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox...
, Hit-Boy
Hit-Boy
Chauncey Hollis, better known as Hit-Boy is an American hip-hop, R&B and contemporary platinum-level music producer currently signed to GOOD Music Born Chauncey Hollis, on May 21, 1987 in Fontana, California, he is the son of Chauncey Hollis Sr. and Tanisha Bedford. He is best known for his...
, Phonix, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which stands for Just Undeniably Some of The Illest Composers Ever, are a Grammy winning group of producers and instrumentalists from Tampa, Florida. The group consists of members Rook, Colione, and Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei. Most recently, they have been producing for Drake,...
, Tha Bizness and Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
. Later revealing that Tyga
Tyga
Michael Stevenson , better known by his stage name Tyga , is an American rapper signed to Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. He is of Vietnamese and Jamaican descent...
, Red Cafe
Red Cafe
Jermaine Denny , better known as his stage name Red Café, is an American rapper. He was born to Afro-Guyanese parents and is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik, Diddy's Bad Boy Records and DJ Clue's Desert Storm label.-Biography:...
, K-Young, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Marie Sullivan is an American recording artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the protégé of rapper Missy Elliott. Her debut single "Need U Bad" reached number one on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while her second single, "Bust Your Windows" peaked at number four...
, Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
, Common
Common (rapper)
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. , better known by his stage name Common , is an American hip-hop artist and actor....
, Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz , better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa , is an American rapper. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007...
, Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
and AZ
AZ (rapper)
Anthony Cruz , better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.In a countdown of the 10...
were all confirmed to be working on the album as well.
On January 18, 2011 Game tweeted along with a picture that he was working on a song with actor, R&B singer Tyrese Gibson. Later on January 30, 2011 in an interview with AllHipHop
AllHipHop
AllHipHop.com is a hip hop news website. It was founded in 1998. At five million visitors a month, it is the world's most popular hip hop website. Essence magazine has dubbed it "the CNN of hip-hop". In 2006, AllHipHop won the Rising Stars Award from Black Enterprise magazine. In 2007, PC Magazine...
, Game confirmed that rapper E-40
E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
and R&B singer Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
would be featured on the album. On June 2, 2011, in an interview with Vibe, Game revealed that the album would feature upcoming rapper Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, the Creator
Tyler Okonma , better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist and fashion designer from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future...
on a track called "Martians vs. Goblins". He also revealed that the album featured a Dr. Dre produced song about his father, and described it as a "sort of like a dream, but I wish it would’ve came true when I was a kid, so I kind of lived it out." On June 11, 2011 Game confirmed that rapper Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar , formerly known by his stage name K. Dot, is an American rapper, and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O D. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases...
would be featured on the album as well.
Later, in an interview with Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
, Game spoke about a reflective song he recorded with singer Nelly Furtado titled "Mother Knows", produced by The Neptunes, describing it as a "walk through a time period in my life when I was young and my mom was trying to instill all these values in me and I was just a rebel and going against everything she said". He also compared Nelly Furtado's singing on the hook to Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
. On June 13, 2011 Game revealed to Rap-Up that he did a song with rapper Lupe Fiasco titled "Skate On". Later on June 16, 2011 in another interview with Rap-Up, Game expressed interest in collaborating with rapper J. Cole.
On June 23, 2011 it was confirmed that R&B singer Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
would be featured on the album. On July 5, 2011 it was confirmed that Mars of production duo 1500 or Nothin' would be also executive producing
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
on the album. On July 9, 2011 rapper Wale
Wale (rapper)
Wale Victor Folarin , better known by his stage name Wale , is an American rapper from Washington, D.C. Wale was born to Nigerian parents. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug " became popular in his hometown. Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the...
himself confirmed that he would be featured on the album. Later on August 4, 2011 after almost three years of spending time on recording for the album it was confirmed that Game finally finished recording for the entire album. It was also confirmed by Game that Dr. Dre would narrate the entire album.
Release and promotion
The album reportedly suffered numerous delays since 2009, and it was also confirmed that it was rescheduled with a remarkable total of 10 times. The first date for the album to be released was on December 1, 2009, but was pushed back to December 8, 2009. However, that date would also be later pushed back to December 15, 2009, and it was pushed back once more to February 16, 2010, reportedly due to Dr. DreDr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
needing more time to finish production for the album. The next confirmed date for the album to be released was June 15, 2010 but was changed to June 29, 2010.
The next release date given for the album was listed as July 6, 2010 but this time Game delayed the release date himself, because he wanted to release the album on August 24, 2010 in order to dedicate it to Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
player Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
. He stated that he chose August 24 cause he got caught up in the 2010 NBA Finals
2010 NBA Finals
The 2010 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2009–10 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending NBA champions, and the Boston Celtics, champions of the Eastern Conference...
frenzy and was inspired by his home team hero Kobe Bryant, but later that date would be pushed back as well.
After almost two years of delays, on May 5, 2011 it was officially confirmed by Game and Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
executive Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
that the album would be officially released in late August, 2011, and that it would not be pushed back any further. Later, on May 17, 2011, Game announced via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that he had just finished a conference call with Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records, then he went on and officially confirmed that the album would be officially released on August 23, 2011. Unlike in the past, Game promised that the new date given would be permanent.
Before the albums official release, Game admitted and told Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
that he delayed the release of the album to cause maximum disruption to his hip-hop rivals, stating that he wanted to drop the album right in the middle of Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's collaboration Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released on August 8, 2011, by Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording locations and began in November 2010. It was...
and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
's Tha Carter IV
Tha Carter IV
Tha Carter IV is the ninth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on August 29, 2011 through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records...
, saying that it was his ingenious plan.
Mixtapes
In 2010 and 2011, Game released several free-to-download mixtapes, partly in order to act as promotion for the album. The first of these mixtapes, The Red Room, was released on April 26, 2010. The mixtape was originally intended to be hosted by DJ DramaDJ Drama
Tyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
as a "Gangsta Grillz" project: however, he cancelled his participation in the project after hearing several of the disses
Diss track
A diss track or diss song is a song primarily intended to disparage or insult another person or group. While musical parodies and attacks have always existed, the trend became increasingly common in the hip hop genre as part of the hip hop rivalry phenomenon...
aimed at him in the freestyle track "400 Bars", and was replaced by long-time Game collaborator DJ Skee
DJ Skee
Scott Keeney , better known by his stage name DJ Skee, is a DJ and entrepreneur operating out of Los Angeles. Skee manages his own new media music, marketing, and production company, Skee.TV...
.
The aforementioned "400 Bars", a 20-minute long freestyle over four-hundred consecutive bars of music (over the production of the Jay Electronica
Jay Electronica
Timothy Elpadaro Thedford , better known by his stage name Jay Electronica, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer...
song "Exhibit C
Exhibit C
"Exhibit C" is a single by American rap artist Jay Electronica released to iTunes on December 22, 2009, as an EP with explicit, clean and instrumental versions.-Background:...
") was later only included on the mixtape in a remixed form, titled "The Skeemix". Game admitted it was the hardest freestyle he had ever had to record, having previously recorded "300 Bars" and "360 Bars" for previous mixtapes. Guests on the mixtape include Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey Hussle
Ermias Asghedome , better known by his stage name Nipsey Hussle. He is a Westcoast rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Music career:...
, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, Birdman, Kanary Diamonds, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Bizzy Bone
Bizzy Bone
Bryon Anthony McCane II , better known by his stage name Bizzy Bone, is an American rapper and a member of the Cleveland rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.- Solo career :Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998...
, Hurricane Chris
Hurricane Chris
The name Chris has been used for five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean, with only one of them becoming a hurricane.* 1982's Tropical Storm Chris – made landfall at Sabine Pass and caused widespread flooding as far inland as Tennessee, but total damage was low.* 1988's Tropical Storm...
, Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, and several members of Game's own record label, The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records is a record label founded by Jayceon "Game" Taylor and his half-brother George "Big Fase 100" Taylor III.-History:...
, including XO, K-Young, Menace, Maad Maxx and Juice.
Later that year, on August 3, 2010, Game released the mixtape Brake Lights, available to download through XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
, again hosted by DJ Skee
DJ Skee
Scott Keeney , better known by his stage name DJ Skee, is a DJ and entrepreneur operating out of Los Angeles. Skee manages his own new media music, marketing, and production company, Skee.TV...
. The mixtape's guests include Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, Rick Ross
Rick Ross (rapper)
William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
, Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame
Juaquin Malphurs , better known by his stage name Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper signed to 1017 Brick Squad and Warner Bros. He is a Southern hip hop artist best known for his singles "O Let's Do It", "Hard in da Paint" & "No Hands", along with his debut album, Flockaveli...
, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Robin Thicke
Robin Thicke
Robin Charles Thicke is an Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as...
and Shawty Lo
Shawty Lo
Carlos Walker , better known by his stage name Shawty Lo, is an American rapper, founder of D4L Records, and member of hip hop group D4L. His first solo album, Units in the City, was released on February 26, 2008...
, and production is handled by several producers, including DJ Toomp
DJ Toomp
Aldrin Davis, better known as DJ Toomp, is an award-winning American record producer and DJ who works in Atlanta, Georgia. In the late 1980s he was MC Shy-D's DJ and went on tour with him and the 2 Live Crew as they performed at various venues across the country with other artists such as N.W.A...
, J. R. Rotem
J. R. Rotem
- Early life :Rotem was born in South Africa to Israeli immigrant Jewish parents. He moved to Toronto at the age of two and finally to Moraga, California when he was twelve.Rotem's entry point into music was in receiving classical piano tuition at a young age...
and Rich Skillz, among others. In a later interview with XXL, Game revealed that Brake Lights was designed to be an appetiser to The R.E.D. Album, released mainly to keep up anticipation for the album until its completion.
On January 24, 2011, Game released the double disc mixtape Purp & Patron
Purp & Patron
Purp & Patron is a double disc mixtape by West Coast rapper Game released as a free online download on January 24, 2011. The mixtape is hosted by DJ Skee and Funkmaster Flex. The mixtape's production was handled by several record producers, including Dr. Dre, Ervin 'EP' Pope, Pharrell Williams as...
, again hosted by DJ Skee
DJ Skee
Scott Keeney , better known by his stage name DJ Skee, is a DJ and entrepreneur operating out of Los Angeles. Skee manages his own new media music, marketing, and production company, Skee.TV...
, but this time also by Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
. Guests on the mixtape include Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, Detail, Tools, Sam Hook, Menace, TD, Mistah F.A.B.
Mistah F.A.B.
Stanley Petey Cox , better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. , is an American rapper. He attended Oakland Technical High School and Emery High School. He is signed to Bay Area rap legend Mac Dre's label, Thizz Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Mistah F.A.B...
, The Jacka
The Jacka
Dominic Newton, better known by his stage name The Jacka , is an American rapper from Richmond, California. The Jacka got his start in Pittsburg, California with his group, Mob Figaz, whose first album, C-Bo's Mob Figaz, was released in 1999. The Jacka also converted to Islam at a very young age...
, Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz , better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa , is an American rapper. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007...
, Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, Rev. Burke, Mysonne, T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
, Rick Ross
Rick Ross (rapper)
William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
, Ashanti, Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
, Lil Boosie
Lil Boosie
Torrence Hatch , better known by his stage name Lil Boosie, is an American rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hatch was bestowed the nickname Boosie by his family, and he was raised in southside Baton Rouge...
, Jim Jones
Jim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
, Clinton Sparks
Clinton Sparks
Clinton Sparks is a Boston-based radio, mixtape & Club DJ as well as a recording artist, writer, producer and TV personality.-Biography:...
, Mike Epps
Mike Epps
Michael Elliot "Mike" Epps is an American stand-up comedian, actor, film producer, writer, singer, and rapper. He is best known for playing Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and the sequel-to-the-sequel, Friday After Next, and also starring alongside Ice Cube in All About the Benjamins...
, Ashley Cole, Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, Travis Barker, Doug E. Fresh
Doug E. Fresh
Douglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
, Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
and Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, and the mixtape's production was handled by several record producers, including Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Ervin 'EP' Pope, The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
, Bink
Bink (producer)
Bink is a Grammy nominated hip hop producer who is noted for his work with Roc-A-Fella Records artists. His most high-profile work has been Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint, for which he produced three tracks, including the first and last tracks on the album...
, DJ Shake, Nottz
Nottz
Dominick Lamb better known by his stage name, Nottz is a music producer, writer and rapper from Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. He sometimes extends his executive name to Nottz Raw.-History:...
, 1500 or Nothin', Che Vicious, D.A. Dorman, Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
, Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, Mike City
Mike City
Mike City is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Flowers is also the founder and CEO of Unsung Entertainment, Inc. He's currently working on his personal album titledMike City a.k.a...
, Raw Uncut, Denaun Porter, DJ Haze, DJ Green Lantern
DJ Green Lantern
James D'Agostino , better known by his stage name DJ Green Lantern, is an American-Italian-Puerto Rican DJ and hip hop music producer from Rochester, New York. In 2002, D'Agostino was signed by Eminem to become the official DJ for Shady Records after DJ Head stepped down for undisclosed reasons...
, and Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
, among others.
Upon its release, the mixtape was a internet download success, and received generally positive reviews from music critics. A week after the mixtape's initial release, a sequel was released, titled Purp & Patron: The Hangover, a 10 track mixtape of leftover songs that were not included on the original Purp & Patron. The mixtape's guests include Birdman, Mars of 1500 or Nothin', Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
, JoiStaRR, David Banner
David Banner
Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000...
, Ghostface Killah
Ghostface Killah
Dennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
, Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, and a member of the group Slaughterhouse.-Biography:Joell Ortiz was born to Puerto Rican parents. Ortiz grew up in the Cooper Park Houses in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York formerly signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath...
, Young Chris
Young Chris
Young Chris is a Grammy nominated American rapper and songwriter. A member of Philadelphia rap trio Young Gunz, formerly signed to Roc-A-Fella records through Beanie Sigel’s State Property collective, early success included the hit single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop"...
, Eve, Black Thought
Black Thought
Tariq Trotter , better known as Black Thought, is an American hip-hop artist who is the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots and occasional actor...
, Money Malc, Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, Fred the Godson, Diggy Simmons, Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
, and Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, and the mixtape's production is handled by several record producers, including 1500 or Nothin', Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, Amadeus and Sean C & LV.
On July 7, 2011, Game announced via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that he and Mars of production duo 1500 or Nothin' would be releasing one final mixtape in the run-up to the album's release, titled HoodMorning [No Typo] [Candy Coronas], and it was released on August 1, 2011. The mixtape's guests include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Gucci Mane, B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
, Wiz Khalifa, Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
, Redman, Joi StaRR, Paypa, Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
, and Yelawolf
Yelawolf
Michael Wayne Atha , better known by his stage name YelaWolf, is an American rapper. He is currently signed to Shady Records, Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment and Interscope Records...
, and the mixtape's production is handled by several record producers, including Mars, DJ Khalil
DJ Khalil
Khalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite...
, Lifted, Che Vicious, Boi-1da
Boi-1da
Matthew Samuels , better known as Boi-1da , is a Canadian hip-hop producer from Toronto, Ontario. He has produced for artists and groups such as Chip tha Ripper, Kardinal Offishall, Clipse, Drake, Eminem, Saukrates, k-os, G-Unit, and The Diplomats among others...
, Terrace Martin
Terrace Martin
Terrace Martin is a Hip hop producer and rapper from Los Angeles, California who has produced beats for artists including Snoop Dogg, Shawnna, Warren G, Talib Kweli, Glasses Malone, Kurupt, Lalah Hathaway, Murs, Nipsey Hussle and collaborated with other producers such as DJ Quik, Battlecat, Hi-Tek...
, Gun Roulet, Point Guard, Rance, Cool & Dre, and Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
.
Promotional singles
The first promotional single was "Krazy", which was released on November 10, 2009 to the iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, followed by "Big Money" released on December 15, 2009 to the iTunes Store, "It Must Be Me" released on April 14, 2010 to the radio, then officially being released on April 27, 2010 to the iTunes Store and on February 3, 2010, Game released another promo single entitled "Shake" but it wasn't released to the iTunes Store. Music videos have been shot for "Shake" and "It Must Be Me". MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
premiered the video for "Shake" on April 27, 2010. The video for the street single "It Must Be Me" was set to be premiered live on 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
on June 4, 2010 but it never premiered.
The first official single was supposed to be "Ain't No Doubt About It", which features Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
& Pharrell Williams. Later, in an interview with Complex, it was revealed that "Krazy", "Big Money," and "It Must Be Me", were all promotional singles for iTunes and digital download, indicating that none of them would actually make the album. He did however confirm in that same interview, that "Ain't No Doubt About It," wasn't supposed to be the first main single as it was a leak, the single was released on May 18, 2010 to the iTunes Store A video for the single "Ain't No Doubt About It" had also been shot but was never released till on July 2, 2011.
As these songs all failed to chart, Game decided to have them all removed from the album and chose instead to release them on various mixtapes, including The Red Room and the Brake Lights mixtapes. Although confirmed to the album's second official single "Bottles & Rockin' J's" which is produced by Lex Luger
Lex Luger (producer)
Lexus Arnel Lewis better known by his stage name Lex Luger, is an American record producer from Suffolk, Virginia who is signed to 1017 Brick Squad.-Career:...
, and
features DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled
Khaled bin Abdul Khaled , better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his...
, Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
and Rick Ross
Rick Ross (rapper)
William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
, it was later confirmed to be the album's sixth street single.
Singles
"Red NationRed Nation
"Red Nation" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from rapper Lil Wayne, from his anticipated fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
" was announced as the album's first official single on March 2, 2011. The song features production from Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, and Sean "Diddy" Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
announced via his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
page that the single would feature fellow American rapper Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. Anticipated by fans to be officially released, the single was officially released to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on April 12, 2011, but it did not achieve commercial success worldwide nor in the United States, only peaking at number sixty-two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. In spite of reaching chart success, the music video for the single came under some controversy, being banned from airing on cable networks MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
due to being deemed inappropriate and being a portrayal of gang culture
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
, causing a controversy due to Game's alleged affiliation with the notorious Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
gang the Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
. However, Game refused to let the snub derail his plans for promotion, so he still vowed to release the video online so fans can form their own opinions about the controversy for themselves. After the music videos release and quickly receiving over 3 million views on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, there were rumors that BET and MTV were reconsidering airing the banned Red Nation video.
On June 22, 2011 it was confirmed that the album's second official single would be titled "Pot of Gold
Pot of Gold (Game song)
"Pot of Gold" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from R&B singer Chris Brown, from his fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
" and it would feature R&B singer Chris Brown with production from The Futuristics, the single was officially released to the iTunes Store on June 28, 2011. The song debuted at number seventy-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart in the United States for the week ending July 30, 2011, and has since peaked at number fifty-five. Unlike the albums first single "Red Nation", Pot of Gold managed to attained some Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and worldwide chart success, in Belgium the song charted at number 29 on the Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
, in Switzerland the song charted at number 72 on the Swiss Singles Chart
Swiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
, and in the United Kingdom the song charted at number 16 on the UK R&B Singles Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
and at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. While shooting for the single's music video an incident occurred with record producer and one half of the production duo 1500 or Nothin' Mars was held up at gunpoint and got robbed of $12,000 in cash and jewelry by two armed robbers. The music video for the single was officially released on July 25, 2011.
Tour
On October 2011, Game announced upcoming tour dates for performances to promote his new album. Game assembled a coast-to-coast US trek which started from October 20th and ended November 17th. The club/theatre outing was scheduled to visit nearly 24 cities, with several of them being CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
performances.
Just three days after the US tour Game went on the Red Album European Tour 2011. The tour Begin on November 20, 2011 and concluding December 22, 2011 stops included Dublin, Ireland, Glasgow, UK, Paris, France, Stuttgart, Germany, Milan, Italy, Zurich, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Holland, Copenhagen, Denmark, Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, Oslo, Norway and more.
Commercial performance
The R.E.D. Album was one of the most anticipated albums of 2011. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart, with first-week sales of 98,000 copies in the United States, a major fall from his previous three released album sales. It serves as Game's 3rd number-one album in the US, following 2005's The Documentary
The Documentary
The Documentary is the debut studio album by West Coast rapper Game, released on January 18, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. After recovering from a shooting in late 2001, The Game pursued a rap career and was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to his...
and 2006's Doctor's Advocate, his last album, LAX, debuted at No. 2 in 2008 with 239,000 according to Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
. It also reached number one on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
and Top Rap Albums
Top Rap Albums
Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004....
charts. In its second week on the Billboard 200, the album fell to number 8 with only 39,000 copies sold. As of November 16, 2011, the album has sold 206,000 copies in the United States.
In Canada, it entered at number 2 on the Canadian Albums Chart
Canadian Albums Chart
The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS...
, with first-week sales of 10,000 copies. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, with first-week sales of 10,148 copies. In Austria, the album debuted at number 39 on the Austrian Albums Chart, and in Australia, the album debuted at number 12 on the Australian Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. In Belgian, the album debuted at number 75 on the Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
and peaked at number 32, and in the Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
the album debuted at number 36. In Denmark, the album debuted at number 17 on the Danish Albums Chart
Tracklisten
Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl...
, in the Netherlands, the album debuted at number 45 on the Dutch Albums Chart
MegaCharts
MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top...
, in the France, the album debuted at number 30 on the French Albums Chart
Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique
The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry...
, in the Republic of Ireland, the album debuted at number 7 on the Irish Albums Chart
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
, in New Zealand, the album debuted at number 19 on the New Zealand Albums Chart, in Norway, the album debuted at number 28 on the Norwegian Albums Chart
VG-lista
VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by...
and peaked at number 27, and in Switzerland, the album debuted at number 7 on the Swiss Albums Chart
Swiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
.
Critical response
The R.E.D. Album received generally mixed to positive reviews from music criticMusic criticism
See also Music journalism for reporting on classical and popular music in the media.The Oxford Companion to Music defines music criticism as 'the intellectual activity of formulating judgments on the value and degree of excellence of individual works of music, or whole groups or genres'. In this...
s. At Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, which assigns a weighted mean
Weighted mean
The weighted mean is similar to an arithmetic mean , where instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others...
rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average
Weighted mean
The weighted mean is similar to an arithmetic mean , where instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others...
score of 61, based on 16 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews." Allmusic editor David Jeffries viewed it as if "you’ve got an obsession-free, almost relatable success that sacrifices none of the man’s fire or skill." [...] and perceived that "Game doesn’t need strife in his life to create an excellent album, but for the sake of a thrilling cut, he’ll still seek it out." BBC Music
BBC Music
BBC Music is a team working in the department of Audio and Music Interactive at the BBC. Responsible for the BBC Music website - the portal site to music content across the BBC website....
stated that, "Overall, The R.E.D. Album stands as a solid return for its maker, as long-time listeners will connect with his no-frills lyrics and unsettling artistic demeanour." Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
commented that "Throughout The R.E.D. Album, he runs himself ragged trying to realize the masterpiece he pictures in his head, but he just doesn’t have the coordination to pull it off." Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
wrote that, "The Game shows a willingness to reinvent himself with some beats that are as penetrating and resourceful as his engaging rhymes filled with sports and pop-culture references." Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
's Jesse Cataldo felt that "The profusion of guests and mania for exhibiting street hardness sometimes makes The R.E.D. Album feel unfocused and exhausting." Edna Gundersen
Edna Gundersen
Edna Gundersen is an American journalist who is a longtime music writer and critic for USA Today.Gundersen grew up in El Paso, Texas. She attained a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso and then wrote features and entertainment news for the El Paso Times from 1977 to 1987...
of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
praised the rapper's "chemistry" and wrote that "Game invigorates West Coast rap with grit, ferocity, vivid rhymes, crushing beats and even a hilarious and vicious sci-fi romp."
Writer David Malitz of The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
felt that the album "is overstuffed with high-wattage cameos." [...] adding that "Game surrounds himself with these stars, regularly gets out-rapped by them and proceeds to thrust his chest out and proclaim his superiority." Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
writer Mikael Wood commented that "In stark contrast with such charm merchants as Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, Game’s low likability is no impediment to his art; indeed, The R.E.D. Album, his fourth studio set, succeeds not in spite of his character [...] flaws but because of them." Carl Chery of XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
gave the album a rating of "L" and noted "Game’s flows and lyrical skills are still sharp, but his narrative hasn’t changed much through the course of four albums". Despite that "one shouldn’t be surprised," David Amidon of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
wrote "A lot of what initially made Game an intriguing artist is missing from this release, replaced instead by fleeting moments of great music and extended periods of mediocrity or whackness." [...] and added that "neither should one be surprised at the schizophrenic nature that pervades much of the album." Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's Jordan Sargent commented that the albums "unsightly storm of star power is the backbone [...] of what could've been a coherent album." Arwa Haider of Metro viewed it as a "cinematic drama of the rapper's Westside life experience, which could easily have become schmaltzy but is fuelled by his rugged wordplay and guests on sharp form."
Monica Herrera of Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
stated that "the Compton MC doesn't seem to have given his long-delayed fourth album top priority." [...] however commented "It's proof that, just when you least expect it, he can still rage compellingly." Jayson Greene of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
gave a mixed review, writing "when there is a firm hand reining him in, Game can still make good rap music. Left to his own devices, however, he produces a dismaying mess." Chase McMullen of One Thirty BPM
One Thirty BPM
One Thirty BPM is a New York-based online publication providing reviews, news, media, interviews, features, and more from both the independent and mainstream spheres of the music world...
expressed a mixed response towards the album, stating "With this mixed bag he's likely cemented his reputation as a MC that was blessed with a sack of classic beats for his debut, now just a rapper like the rest of 'em." Chad Grischow of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
wrote "Fortunately, Game is on point most of the time here, delivering an excellent piece of hardened west coast rap leaving you wanting the two albums he promises before quitting rap as soon as possible." Anupa Mistry of Now
NOW (magazine)
Now is a free weekly newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was first printed on September 10, 1981 by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein. Now is an alternative weekly mixing arts and entertainment news with political coverage....
felt that "The features wouldn’t be so bad if Game didn’t yield to the wattage and personalities of his co-stars. (Again, he can rap when he tries.) Used as a constant crutch, however, they quell his ferocity."
Track listing
(co.) Co-producer(add.) Additional production
Sample credits
Information taken from The R.E.D. Album's liner notesLiner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
.
- "The City" contains a sample of "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young" by Fire Inc.Fire Inc.Fire Inc. was a Wagnerian rock band that released two songs for the rock and roll film Streets of Fire in 1984. The two songs never had any real commercial success. In the film Ellen Aim and the Attackers performed "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young" with Face to Face playing the part of the...
- "Red NationRed Nation"Red Nation" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from rapper Lil Wayne, from his anticipated fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
" contains a sample of "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie NationZombie NationZombie Nation may refer to:*Zombie Nation , a German techno artist*Zombie Nation , a 1990 NES video game*Zombie Nation , a 2004 independent film...
. - "Good Girls Go Bad" contains a sample of "Don't Make the Good Girls Go Bad" by Della Humphrey.
- "Ricky" contains a sample of Boyz n the HoodBoyz N the HoodBoyz n the Hood is a 1991 American hood film written and directed by John Singleton. Starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett and Regina King, the film depicts life in poor South Central Los Angeles, California and was filmed and released...
. - "Heavy Artillery" contain a sample of "I'm Just a Prisoner" by Billy PaulBilly PaulBilly Paul is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, most known for his 1972 number-one single, "Me and Mrs. Jones" as well as the 1973 album and single "War of the Gods" which blends his more conventional pop, soul and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences...
. - "Pot of GoldPot of Gold (Game song)"Pot of Gold" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from R&B singer Chris Brown, from his fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
" contains a sample of "Rocketship" by Guster. - "Born in the Trap" contains a sample of "Love Theme" by Van McCoyVan McCoyVan Allen Clinton McCoy was an accomplished musician, music producer, arranger, songwriter, and orchestra conductor. He is known best for his 1975 internationally successful song "The Hustle", which is still played in dance halls and on radio to this day more than thirty years since his death...
. - "California Dream" contains a sample of "All I Have" by The MomentsThe MomentsThe Moments may refer to:*The Moments, an American R&B vocal group later known as Ray, Goodman & Brown*The Moments , an English group of the early 1960s who featured Steve Marriott...
.
Musicians
- Ice Cube - vocals
- Anthony Jackson - vocals
- Marvin Jones - vocals
- RahkiRahkiRahki is an L.A. based hip-hop producer known for his work with mentor DJ Khalil as well as artists such as Eminem, Game, Curren$y, Evidence, 50 Cent and other popular artists.-2010:* Eminem - Recovery -2011:* Curren$y - Weekend At Burnie's...
- drums - Yasmine Richard - vocals
- Jameel Saleem - vocals
- Joi Starr - vocals
- Uncle Chucc - guitar
- Laura Vaidya - vocals
- Kamasi Washington - saxophone
Production
- Steve "B" Baughman - mixing
- Big Kast - producer
- Boi-1DA - producer
- Calvin Broadus - composer
- Christopher Brody Brown - composer, producer
- Don Cannon - engineer, producer
- Andrew Coleman - digital arrangement, digital editing, engineer
- Cool - producer
- J.B. Corbitt - composer
- DJ Khalil - producer
- DJ Premier - mixing, producer
- Dr. Dre - mixing, producer
- Larrance Dopson - keyboards, producer
- Lamar Edwards - composer, producer
- The Futuristics - producer
- Game - executive producer
- Brian "Big Bass" Gardner - mastering
- Geoff Gibbs - engineer
- Hit-Boy - producer
- Ilo - additional production, keyboards
- Mauricio Iragorri - engineer
- Step Johnson Jr. - A&R
- Samuel Kalandjian - engineer
- Mike Larson - engineer
- Maestro - producer
- Jonathan Mannion - photography
- Fabian Marasciullo - mixing
- MARS1 - executive producer
- Meeno - photography
- Greg Miller - publicity
- Pebrocks - producer
- Will Ragland - art direction, design
- Khalil Abdul Rahman - composer, keyboards, programming
- Robert Reyes - engineer
- Don Robinson - marketing
- Jason Sangerman - marketing
- Jason Schweitzer - mixing, saxophone
- Streetrunner - producer
- Danny Tannenbaum - composer, keyboards, violin
- Andrew Van Meter - producer
- Tony Villaflor - assistant
- Vic Wainstein - engineer
- Pharrell Williams - executive producer, producer
- Dontae Winslow - horn arrangements, trumpet
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
12 |
| Australian Urban Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
3 |
| Austrian Albums Chart | 39 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
32 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
36 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
2 |
| Danish Albums Chart Tracklisten Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl... |
17 |
| Dutch Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
45 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
30 |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
22 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
7 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart | 19 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
27 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
7 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
14 |
| UK R&B Albums Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
2 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 |
| US Billboard Rap Albums Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004.... |
1 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Catalog | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | August 19, 2011 | CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Polydor Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... , Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
B005GETSTY | Standard |
| Germany | CD | Interscope Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:... , Universal Music |
B002U1ACBO | ||
| United Kingdom | August 22, 2011 | CD, digital download | Polydor | ||
| Canada | August 23, 2011 | DGC DGC Records DGC Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and currently operates as an auxiliary label of Interscope Records.-Company history:... , Interscope |
|||
| United States |
External links
- Second official website
- The R.E.D. Album at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- The R.E.D. Album at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...