The Documentary 2
by The Game
  • Record Label: eOne
  • Release Date: Oct 9, 2015
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 81
  3. Negative: 8 out of 81
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  1. BigTyCoon
    Oct 15, 2015
    10
    This is easily his most lyrical and dexterous album to date. Production is insane and given that information I would say this is a damn home run. Amazing album.
  2. nirvanafreak
    Oct 16, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favourite Songs: On Me (feat. Kendrick Lamar), Don't Trip (feat. Dr. Dre, Ice Cube & Will.I.Am), Standing On Ferraris (feat. Diddy), 100 (feat. Drake)
    Least Favourite Songs: **** You Ain't **** Circles (feat. Q Tip, Eric Billinger & Sha Sha), Dedicated (feat. Future & Sonyae)
    I'm gonna be honest with you I haven't heard 'The Documentary' so I can't compare but based on the hype the first one gets I'm gonna guess that it's better than this sequel. This isn't the first time I've listened to The Game though, I listened to the 'R.E.D Album' and I downloaded 'Jesus Piece' when it came out; I didn't love it but there was some really nice production on a few of the tracks which kept me coming back to it quite long after it came out. On this album the production is perhaps even better but the songs I really like, like 'Don't Trip' or 'Standing On Ferraris', tend to just have really simple beats and instrumental loops throughout the whole song, as well as overused samples. I don't really care that they've been used before, I just think at this point they're kind of uninteresting and there's other songs that have sampled them much better which I'd rather listen to. I didn't really care for the stripped down production either; there's usually not much going on in it. It does work well on '100' though to create a really chilled vibe which is helped by Drake's lazy singey rap thing on the hook. In terms of rapping....I guess it was alright. I'm not a huge fan of The Game's flow and he didn't really say anything he hasn't said before. Most of the time he's just talking about Compton and that's fine but instead of really going into the details he just mentions it a lot. I liked the moments on the album where he tried to tackle racial problems a little bit or tried to become quite thoughtful. However, these moments were overshadowed by some of the more cliched and badly put lyrics on the album. I feel like this would have been a really great album if he'd cut out 4 or 5 of the songs that feel like filler. I don't dislike them they're just eh, although I do dislike the song **** You Ain't **** I think in the modern day world it's a little too misogynistic and he doesn't really justify the **** lyrics with a beat or hook or anything. Not that he ever delivers a good hook really. Any good ones are usually done by guests. And there are a lot of guests. Most of them don't even bring that much to the tracks though I barely noticed Q Tip on 'Circles' and Kanye West was only on for about 15 seconds. So Yh there's a lot of unnecessary features. Future especially, The Game and him have no chemistry it just sounds weird. Also, Will.I.Am. He talks on here like he's been making **** gangsta rap for the past decade so he can fit in with Dr. dre and Ice Cube instead of the radio friendly r&b he's become popular with like 'My Hump'. As long as you don't analyse it too closely though it's a fairly enjoyable album, hopefully 'The Documentary 2.5' will be better though.
    Improvement From Last Project?: Yes
    Try This If You Like: Compton by Dr Dre    … Expand
  3. Urbanlistener
    Oct 16, 2015
    10
    Excellent album, definitely his best work since Doctor's advocate. The beats are dope and polished to perfection and Game's improved a lot on his flow and acrobatic rhymes.
  4. handstokindness
    Oct 23, 2015
    0
    I'm so sick of that same old love,
    what's wrong with being confident?
    Hotline bling slays and y'all have to know this, this album is not good to me, I prefer The Weeknd's new album than this to be honest.
    Revival, Confident, Hotline Bling and The Beauty Behind The Madness are better
  5. newskool
    Oct 19, 2015
    10
    Short and simple, best Game album since The Documentary. Album of The Year contender. The songs flow seemlessly, from end to end. He is rapping better than ever. This is a true Game album.
  6. T-rodney
    Oct 16, 2015
    8
    Documentary 2 is a worthy sequel to the Documentary. Using beats similar to the early 2000's was a bit of a risk but it certainly payed off as the production was not boring with enjoyable tracks like Don't trip, Step up and B*tch you ain't sh*t. The Game was at his best in a long time as his lyrics were amazing, The features were as good with the best features being Kendrick Lamar, will.iDocumentary 2 is a worthy sequel to the Documentary. Using beats similar to the early 2000's was a bit of a risk but it certainly payed off as the production was not boring with enjoyable tracks like Don't trip, Step up and B*tch you ain't sh*t. The Game was at his best in a long time as his lyrics were amazing, The features were as good with the best features being Kendrick Lamar, will.i am, Sha Sha and Ab-Soul. The Album starts off with On me feat Kendrick which was the best track in the album and slightly maintains the momentum with Step up to Standing on ferraris then The amazing Sentimental track Dollar and a Dream with Ab-Soul bringing his A-game, The album steps down a bit with Hashtag which was not as good as other tracks and Just another day being boring on The beat but the album was good until the end with the Dope track L.A finishing off. The Best tracks are On me, Dedicated, Mula and L.A. The worst Tracks are Just another day and Hashtag with Dej loaf and Jelly roll being disappointing features but overally the production is great, Lyrics are good, Features are worthy and better than last year's Blood Moon. This is not the best Album in five years as The Game said, but one to remember this year with high expectations on The Documentary 2.5.… Expand
  7. ben_zo77
    Dec 20, 2015
    8
    The Documentary 2 proves The Game is still very much a relevant figure in hip hop. It's arguably one of the greatest double-disc rap albums in history. He clearly put an incredible amount of effort into this project to make sure it re-established his standing in the industry, and it's worked. Whether Game will use this rejuvenation of his career to put out another album in the future willThe Documentary 2 proves The Game is still very much a relevant figure in hip hop. It's arguably one of the greatest double-disc rap albums in history. He clearly put an incredible amount of effort into this project to make sure it re-established his standing in the industry, and it's worked. Whether Game will use this rejuvenation of his career to put out another album in the future will remain to be seen. The Documentary 2 is one of the best rap albums of 2015, which has been a strong year for hip hop. Regardless of whether or not he releases another album, The Game has now cemented himself as one of the greatest West Coast rappers of all time. ~ Disc One: 7.9/10 ~ Overall: 7.9/10 (w/ Disc Two bonus track: 7.9/10)
    Best track: "Standing On Ferraris": I'll be bumping this one for decades, à la 'The Next Episode'.
    Other notable tracks: "Don't Trip", "Made In America", "B**** You Ain't S***", "Summertime", "The Documentary 2", "New York, New York" & "100"    … Expand
  8. imdajudgem8
    Nov 13, 2015
    7
    Not as good as its predecessors but still a solid album. Flow=10/10, production 9/10 and lyrically this is decent-great. Pretty decent album and contains some great features.
  9. TheRealLegend
    Oct 17, 2015
    8
    Great album from the Game. Gives great social commentary on the "ghetto" and always has a great sound around. Not many low tracks, and standout tracks are there.
  10. seag
    Oct 15, 2015
    9
    This album is dope, i enjoyed almost every song on it, with great features like Ice Cube, Dre, Kendrick Lamar, will.i.am, Ab Soul and Kanye West. It has very deep lyrics on it, highly recommended.
  11. edff
    Oct 18, 2015
    8
    Overall a very good follow up album to the album that first gained game notoriety. Game's lyrics and flow are top notch throughout the album but it is a little too long for my liking.
  12. nigerc
    Nov 28, 2015
    10
    Its an independent album sounding like a Dr.Dre solo project. Eminem Big L biggie and others might be better lyricist than game but rap come to game game naturally his beat selection and flow is so nas like and natural and goes harder than. He is like a nas as hard as dmx and namedropping is an asset imo he does it so brilliantly showing he is not afraid of everyone. Deserved a 5 mic inIts an independent album sounding like a Dr.Dre solo project. Eminem Big L biggie and others might be better lyricist than game but rap come to game game naturally his beat selection and flow is so nas like and natural and goes harder than. He is like a nas as hard as dmx and namedropping is an asset imo he does it so brilliantly showing he is not afraid of everyone. Deserved a 5 mic in Doctors Advocate though classic album and this one too.… Expand
  13. Jumpman
    Jan 12, 2016
    4
    The game is the corniest rapper alive and he thinks he is top 5 lol, i cannot stand his name dropping *** saying invalid **** and bragging about lies . If it wasn't for the stellar production and some of the features this album would be unbearable, some of the songs already are actually
  14. ns0643392
    Feb 1, 2016
    9
    Album took me completely by surprise, usually when an artist comes out with a sequel to a previous album, it's to help record sales. The Documentary 2 is not that at all, and is a true follow on from his first album in my opinion. Dr. Dre's production is extremely prevalent throughout, and reminds me of "Compton" in more than one way. There are, as with most albums, a few songs which areAlbum took me completely by surprise, usually when an artist comes out with a sequel to a previous album, it's to help record sales. The Documentary 2 is not that at all, and is a true follow on from his first album in my opinion. Dr. Dre's production is extremely prevalent throughout, and reminds me of "Compton" in more than one way. There are, as with most albums, a few songs which are weaker and get skipped when listening, but overall lyrical performance and beat selection proves this to be one of the best hip - hop albums of 2015.… Expand
  15. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    7
    Not as good as the original Documentary or 2.5 in my honest opinion but still definitely not bad. Some songs are definite skips but it's worth checking out.

    Best songs: On Me / Don't Trip / LA

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Discussed Album of 2015
52
#52 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Rolling Stone
    Nov 11, 2015
    60
    This sprawling album [is] his most solid release since the original Documentary. It's nothing more or less than the complex story of a lifelong hip-hop fan who's happiest when he can see himself as part of the history he embraces so vocally.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Nov 9, 2015
    80
    Great news is The Documentary 2 sounds effortless and winds up awesome because of it.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Oct 28, 2015
    70
    The Game is literally inseparable from his influences. He doesn’t digest them as other rappers might; instead, he wears them like brands. He too is joined by oodles of guests, a striking show of support for a midcareer rapper who’s pugnacious to boot. Both Kanye West and Drake appear here, and in strong form.
    Read full review
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