The Documentary 2 Explained

The Documentary 2
Type:Studio
Artist:the Game
Cover:TheGameDocumentary2.jpg
Recorded:2015
Studio:Record Room Studios
(Miami, Florida)
Chalice Recording Studios
(Hollywood, California)
Length:73:18
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:The Documentary 2.5
Next Year:2015

The Documentary 2 is the sixth studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on October 9, 2015, by Blood Money Entertainment and eOne Music. The album serves as a sequel to his debut album. The project is first half of a two-piece project with other half The Documentary 2.5, which was released the following week.[1] The album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Kanye West and Future, among others.

Preceded the album release, the album was supported by lead single: "100" featuring Drake.

Background

In 2015, in an interview with Power 106, the Game announced that the album was about 90% complete and once Dr. Dre gets back from his vacation, him and Dre would be finishing recording the album.[2] The Game also said that his children were his motivation to finish the album, speaking about being confident on his growth as a rapper: "I listened to my first album and everybody thinks it's so amazing, but I think I'm better than that. I listened to it and heard all of the flaws of the young me, and I'm like, 'Man I would have never done this song like that today.'"[3] According to the Game, Dr. Dre was excited about the album that he called The Documentary 2 would be the best rap album in five years.[4] On July 21, 2015, the Game revealed that Diddy said The Documentary 2 is "his best album yet".[5]

Recording and production

On April 12, 2015, the Game released a video, titled "The Making of 'The Documentary 2'", and it shows him in the studio with Meek Mill, working on a song, called "Soundtrack". The video also features cameo appearances from Cool & Dre and Travis Scott.[6] During the 2015's BET Awards on North Carolina's Power 98, the Game said that he has been working with these record producers such as Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams, DJ Premier, the Alchemist, Mikhail, Jahlil Beats, Just Blaze, Scott Storch,[7] and Mike Will Made It.[8] While the Game was spending the entire week in the studio with Kanye West, the Game stated that "You get a good solid week out of 'Ye if you have history."[2] On July 6, 2015, the Game shared some footage of himself in the studio with DJ Mustard, Eric Bellinger, YG, Ty Dolla Sign, Bongo 'the Drum Gahd', Busta Rhymes and Keyshia Cole. The video features one of the snippets was a song with Game and Kendrick Lamar that was surfaced later. Joe Moses, Jay 305 and Skeme appeared in the video.[9] Many unofficial sites posted possible track lists for the album.[10] On July 21, 2015, the Game posted a picture of himself on the toilet, while recording a song for the album on his Instagram.[11] Few days later, the Game posted another picture of himself working on another song with American R&B singer Tyrese, which he said that this collaboration would be on the album. The Game confirmed that Nas, Lil Wayne, E-40, Scarface, Busta Rhymes and YG would be featured on the second disc for the album, called The Documentary 2.5.[12] [13]

Release and promotion

On August 28, 2014, the Game stated that the album would be released on January 18, 2015, and will serve as the 10th anniversary of the first installment.[14] On October 14, 2014, the Game released a compilation album, . On January 30, 2015, a picture of Dr. Dre, the Game, and Ice Cube was posted on Instagram. The inclusion suggested that Dre and Cube were reuniting on the album.[15] On March 12, 2015, the Game announced that the album would be released on June 30, which is his oldest son's birthday. In an interview with Miss Info, Game said spoke about the release of the album. "I feel like I could've released it after The Documentary, but ten years seems perfectly fine. It's my sixth studio album, my sixth solo album, and I think that the 10th anniversary is huge. So, why not put it out ten years later?"[3]

On June 28, 2015, the Game announced that the album would be released on August 7, 2015.[16] Target started promoting the album in stores. The cover shown a new release date of August 28.[17] On July 16, 2015, the Game posted a picture of Tupac with the caption, "Almost time to wrap this album. #TheDocumentary2".[18] On August 30, 2015, he released the cover art for the upcoming album and announced a release date of September 25, 2015. On September 9, 2015, it was revealed that the release date was pushed back to October 9, 2015.[19] On September 18, 2015, the album made available for pre-order, detailing the track listing.[20] On September 22, the Game announced that The Documentary 2 would be a double disc album with a total of 38 tracks, detailing to have disc one releasing on October 9, 2015 and then disc two releasing on October 16, 2015. A documentary about the album, showing how the album was made with studio sessions and video shoots, was released after disc one was released; it is titled The Documentary 2: The Making of the Album.

Critical reception

The Documentary 2 received strong reviews from contemporary music critics. Billboard gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 75, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 13 reviews.[21]

Commercial performance

The Documentary 2 debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 95,000 album-equivalent units, which included 85,000 pure album sales.

It serves as the Game's seventh top-ten album in the United States.[22] The album dropped to the number 11 in its second week, earning an additional 28,000 album-equivalent units.[23] [24] As of November 2015, The Documentary 2 had accumulated 140,000 album-equivalent units in the United States, with 116,000 being pure sales.[25]

Track listing

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
US Billboard 200[27] 195
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[28] 11
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[29] 32
US Rap Albums (Billboard)[30] 20
Chart (2016)Peak
position
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[31] 46
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[32] 77

Collector's Edition

The Documentary 2 / 2.5 (Collector's Edition)
Type:box
Artist:the Game
Cover:The Documentary 2 + 2.5 (Collector's Edition).jpg
Released:January 22, 2016
Recorded:2015
Length:147:08

The three-disc collector's edition of The Documentary 2 was released on January 22, 2016.[33] The bonus disc features guest appearances from Trey Songz and Meek Mill. On the chart dated February 13, 2016, Disc 3 debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at number 134.[34]

Weekly charts

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Game "The Documentary 2" Updated Release Date & Cover Art. Harling. Danielle. September 10, 2015. HipHopDX. September 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150913091009/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.33027/title.game-reveals-new-the-documentary-2-release-date. September 13, 2015. live.
  2. Web site: Game 'Documentary 2' producers. https://web.archive.org/web/20151219034137/http://gowherehiphop.com/featured/game-documentary-2-producers/. dead. December 19, 2015. June 2, 2015. June 29, 2015. Hanrahan, Tim.
  3. Web site: The Game Announces 'The Documentary 2' Release Date. March 1, 2015. June 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709191056/http://www.rap-up.com/2015/03/18/the-game-announces-the-documentary-2-release-date/. July 9, 2015. live.
  4. Web site: The Game Says Dr. Dre Called "The Documentary 2" The Best Rap Album In 5 Years. July 6, 2015. July 8, 2015. Smith, Trevor. HNHH. https://web.archive.org/web/20150708044353/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/the-game-says-dr-dre-called-the-documentary-2-the-best-rap-album-in-5-years-news.16332.html. July 8, 2015. live.
  5. Web site: Game Says Diddy Called "Documentary 2" His Best Album: "Said The Same Thing Dre Said". July 2, 2015. July 22, 2015. Jones, Biz. SOHH. https://web.archive.org/web/20150722084705/http://www.sohh.com/game-says-diddy-called-documentary-2-his-best-album-said-the-same-thing-dre-said/. July 22, 2015. live.
  6. Web site: Video: The Game: The Making of 'The Documentary 2. April 7, 2015. June 29, 2015. Cyclone. https://web.archive.org/web/20151219034148/http://weuponit.com/2015/04/07/video-the-game-the-making-of-the-documentary-2/2/. December 19, 2015. dead.
  7. Web site: AllHipHop >> Game Talks Release Date & Producers for 'Documentary 2′. June 2, 2015. June 29, 2015. Gatewood, Nikki. https://web.archive.org/web/20150701202606/http://allhiphop.com/2015/06/28/game-documentary-2-producers/. July 1, 2015. live.
  8. Web site: The Game Speaks On Bankruptcy, Finding Love & Album 'Documentary 2' [VIDEO]]. June 2, 2015. July 1, 2015. Young Pap. Hot 97. https://web.archive.org/web/20150630215758/http://www.hot97.com/news/new-hot97/game-speaks-bankruptcy-finding-love-album-documentary-2-video. June 30, 2015. live.
  9. Web site: Kendrick Lamar Joins the Game on Rapid-fire New 'Documentary 2′ Snippet. July 5, 2015. July 5, 2015. Carley, Brennan. https://web.archive.org/web/20150706213358/http://www.spin.com/2015/07/the-game-kendrick-lamar-documentary-2-new-song-snippet-hear-cali/. July 6, 2015. live.
  10. Web site: The Game's 'Documentary 2' Get's Dr. Dre's Blessing. July 6, 2015. July 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150707195635/http://www.rap-up.com/2015/07/06/the-game-documentary-2-gets-dr-dre-blessing/. July 7, 2015. live.
  11. Web site: Game Is Recording Songs For New LP 'The Documentary 2′ On The Toilet. July 2, 2015. July 21, 2015. Wass, Mike. Idolator.
  12. Web site: The Game Discusses Features On "The Documentary 2". September 27, 2015 . Hiphopdx.com. September 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150928170703/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.35647/title.the-game-discusses-features-on-the-documentary-2. September 28, 2015. live.
  13. Web site: The Game – 'The Documentary 2,5' (Album Cover). hiphop-n-more.com. October 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151003231327/http://hiphop-n-more.com/2015/10/the-game-the-documentary-2-5-album-cover/. October 3, 2015. live.
  14. Web site: The Game Reveals 'The Documentary 2′ Release Date. August 2, 2014. June 29, 2015. Augustin, Camille. Vibe. https://web.archive.org/web/20150920125307/http://www.vibe.com/2014/08/game-reveals-documentary-2-release-date/. September 20, 2015. live.
  15. Web site: Dre. Dre & Ice Cube To Reunite On The Game's The Documentary 2?. Sermon. January 3, 2015. July 17, 2015. hiphopearly.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150721152446/http://news.hiphopearly.com/will-dr-dre-ice-cube-reunite-on-the-games-the-documentary-2/. July 21, 2015. dead.
  16. Web site: The Game Reveals Producers For "Documentary 2" & Announces New Release Date. June 2, 2015. June 29, 2015. HipHopDX. Meara, Paul. https://web.archive.org/web/20150629182325/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.34431/title.game-reveals-producers-for-documentary-2-august-release-date. June 29, 2015. live.
  17. Web site: Exclusive: The Game – Documentary 2 (Artwork). July 1, 2015. July 23, 2015. Malbin. Fashionably-Early. https://web.archive.org/web/20150716234625/http://www.fashionably-early.com/2015/07/13/exclusive-the-game-documentary-2-artwork/. July 16, 2015. live.
  18. Web site: The Game Posts Tupac Photo While Updating "The Documentary 2" Status. Hernandez, Veronica. July 1, 2015. July 18, 2015. HipHopDX. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717163045/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.34679/title.the-game-posts-tupac-photo-while-updating-the-documentary-2-status. July 17, 2015. live.
  19. Web site: Is The Game's "Documentary 2" Pushed Back?. September 9, 2015. September 11, 2015. Goddard, Kevin. HNHH. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923130543/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/is-the-game-s-documentary-2-pushed-back-news.17516.html. September 23, 2015. live.
  20. Web site: Official Tracklist Revealed For The Game's "Documentary 2" Album. Kevin Goddard. September 18, 2015. HotNewHipHop. September 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923164355/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/official-tracklist-revealed-for-the-games-documentary-2-album-news.17665.html?image=1&gallery=0. September 23, 2015. live.
  21. Web site: Reviews for The Documentary 2 by The Game – Metacritic . . . October 17, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151017205908/http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-documentary-2/the-game . October 17, 2015 . live .
  22. Keith. Caulfield. Selena Gomez Scores Her Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. October 18, 2015. September 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160618133717/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6731005/selena-gomez-scores-her-second-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart-revival. June 18, 2016. live.
  23. Keith. Caulfield. Pentatonix Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. October 26, 2015. September 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070751/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6738540/pentatonix-first-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart. March 4, 2016. live.
  24. News: Victoria. Hernandez. Hip Hop Album Sales: The Game, Machine Gun Kelly & Joe Budden. Hiphopdx. October 26, 2015. September 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052525/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.36021/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-game-machine-gun-kelly-joe-budden. September 23, 2018. live.
  25. Web site: Charts Don't Lie: November 4, 2015. hotnewhiphop.com. Trevor Smith. November 4, 2015. November 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324161823/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/charts-dont-lie-november-4-news.18532.html. March 24, 2016. live.
  26. Web site: Album Top 100. mtv.de. October 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160527111208/http://www.mtv.de/charts/4-album-top-100. May 27, 2016. live.
  27. Billboard 200 – Year-end Chart. Billboard. December 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160104211722/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/top-billboard-200-albums. January 4, 2016. live.
  28. Billboard Independent Albums- Year-end Chart. Billboard. December 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151224014935/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/independent-albums. December 24, 2015. live.
  29. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums- Year-end Chart. Billboard. December 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151214201054/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums. December 14, 2015. live.
  30. Billboard Rap Albums- Year-end Chart. Billboard. December 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160915074801/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/rap-albums. September 15, 2016. live.
  31. Billboard Independent Albums- Year-end Chart. Billboard. December 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161212035956/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/independent-albums. December 12, 2016. live.
  32. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums- Year-end Chart. Billboard. December 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171018045309/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums. October 18, 2017. live.
  33. Web site: The Game To Release "The Documentary 2" Three-Disc Collector's Edition. December 7, 2015. December 8, 2015. Hernandez, Victoria. hiphopdx.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20151209033919/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.36555/title.the-game-to-release-the-documentary-2-three-disc-collectors-edition. December 9, 2015. live.
  34. Web site: Top 200 Albums February 13, 2016. Billboard. February 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160213015754/http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2016-02-13. February 13, 2016. live.

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