The Documentary
by The Game
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 120
  3. Negative: 5 out of 120

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  1. Infxmouss
    Apr 4, 2021
    9
    A fantastic album from a fantastic rapper. Honestly underrated as an album!
  2. Connorcox1997
    Mar 5, 2019
    10
    Definitely a classic debut album from The Game back in 2005. I Highly Recommended it.
  3. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    9
    This album is honestly elite and 100% a west coast classic. If you like west coast hip hop you need to check this album out.

    Best songs: Westside Story / Dreams / We Ain't
  4. Urbanlistener
    Apr 22, 2015
    10
    Instant classic album, it is extremely well crafted thanks to a spectacular production by 50 cent and Dre and aggressive, sharp and gangster rhymes from the Compton native Game. West Coast rap was brought back to life with this album.
  5. keve16
    Mar 22, 2015
    8
    8.0/10................................................................................................................................................
  6. thugnificent2
    Mar 30, 2013
    8
    the beats are very good, the game also does a very good job on this album, easily his best album ever. mostly thanks to 50 cent and dr dre working on this album
  7. RonaldOVOXO
    Feb 4, 2012
    10
    This is a classic album. hip-hop needs people like The Game To revive hip-hop and the westcoast. The Game is on a mission to bring back West Coast back to fame and he's going to do it if he creates classics like The Documentary & L.A.X.
  8. MusicLover
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    As far as hip-hop, this album was one of the best of 2005 (along with Be). It's got that West Coast feel to it, but the beat's aren't all similar. One thing I love about Game is the amount of detail & wordplay he feeds into the mic. It's a great album.
  9. kingm.
    Sep 11, 2007
    9
    Absolutely nucking futs amazing production though he does have short comings as an mc most prevelant on hate it or love it but that is not pertinent to the overall feeling the album exhudes.
  10. BrannonM
    Apr 2, 2007
    8
    i swear, people break down rap music like it's some science experiment, people go in forums and act like it's there job. Great album. He is not nas lyrically, and does not have biggies flow, the name dropping is tiring but the beats keep me interested.
  11. MASTERMINDE
    Oct 11, 2006
    7
    Once again another Aftermath production (well The Game was a part of Aftermath when this CD was released). Impressively and rather surprisingly, I found The Documentary to be superior in almost every regard (beats, lyrics, etc.) to The Game's former fellow cohorts recent releases. That includes: 50 Cents The Massacre and the rest G-Unit's solo outings. While the lyrics, not as Once again another Aftermath production (well The Game was a part of Aftermath when this CD was released). Impressively and rather surprisingly, I found The Documentary to be superior in almost every regard (beats, lyrics, etc.) to The Game's former fellow cohorts recent releases. That includes: 50 Cents The Massacre and the rest G-Unit's solo outings. While the lyrics, not as shallow and weak as 50 Cent's still cater to the low IQ, however the production is quite slick with pro-producers lending there hand to all the tracks (including: Timbaland, Dr.Dre, Just Blaze, Kanye West). If anything, the CD just screams to be heard in car with twins subs pounding (my dual MTXs love it). Songs like: Put You on the Game, The Documentary, and Westside Story just thrive when provided with adequate bass. The Game has voice with a rough edge that really accents the slick beats he's been provided with. I can't help but think that without the A-List production this CD would have been quite bad, but nonetheless its filled with great dance and car tracks and can be good iPod listen once in awhile as long you don't expect 2Pac-esque lyricism.… Expand
  12. HynekH
    Aug 30, 2006
    10
    Westcoast classic
  13. thekidthekid
    Mar 31, 2006
    10
    this album is bangin the best ever g-unot game is better then the hole g-unit so gggggggggggggggggggggggggg-unot
  14. TylerH
    Jan 22, 2006
    5
    It was an ok album. I think The Onion got it right; hes to big on naming classic rap albums. he looks up to NWA and the west coast to much. the production of the album was great but the lyrical value of it was weak.
  15. RileyF
    Dec 25, 2005
    10
    An absolutely brilliant album. A lot better than anything G-Unit put out this year. The production is excellent and the only bad song is Don't Worry featuring Mary J. Blige.
  16. almag
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    the game is the best rapper he is so freaken fine!!!!!!!!!!
  17. AndyL
    Dec 4, 2005
    10
    This is fuckin amazin. One of my all-time favourite albums, just under the awesome Dr Dre.
  18. NahannK
    Aug 20, 2005
    10
    Thsi album was well put together, t contains the amazing songs Hate IT Or LOve It, igher, How We Do, Start From Scratch, and Put You On The Game, and is packed with high-quality raps like Westside Strory and The Documentary. Who produced it isn't as noticable as who's talking, and that's obvious when you listen to the songs above.
  19. RickM
    Apr 24, 2005
    10
    amzing cd i love it!!!
  20. AnthonyM
    Apr 15, 2005
    10
    Three Words: Just Fucking Awsome
  21. VinceH.
    Apr 11, 2005
    10
    Easily the best mainstream hip hop album since Kanye West. The new 50 or Em cd's don't even come close, and unless Dre hurries up in the studio and releases "Detox" before years end, it will remain to be the best (at least until the new J5 or Dilated). Great production and lyrics, just get the damn thing!.
  22. MajaS
    Apr 7, 2005
    7
    Game is good but he has to stop thinking that he is going to change hip-hop so quickly. He needs to stop acting like a child and get serious. He's name-dropping too much and there's nothing classic about that. He wouldn't be so succesful without a lot of help from 50. However, the production is great. Best song - Dreams.
  23. kl
    Mar 23, 2005
    6
    pros: Hate it or love it is awesome!!! cons: how we do is toooo generic overview: just a dime from being being good, this album, though not excellent, will satisfy 50 cent fans.
  24. cb
    Mar 21, 2005
    9
    good album
  25. [Anonymous]
    Mar 21, 2005
    10
    Great rapper, great producer = great album. Despite the fact he doesn't want to talk shit about some rappers 50 hates.
  26. HectorG
    Mar 19, 2005
    10
    solid album
  27. GaborA
    Mar 18, 2005
    2
    Except for one line about Mariah's forehead this cd is beyond terrible. These new rappers need to realize that its not enough to be street smart. You have to smart in general. Another portrait by a dumb thug.
  28. figz
    Mar 16, 2005
    8
    Awesome rapper and writer aswell. Every song has a meaning of its own. Much better then 50's(sell out) massacre
  29. stevenk
    Mar 9, 2005
    9
    i thought it was a good rap album it could have had better beats to bounce to he shouldn't of had kayne west do a song that just shot tha shit out of it he made to pop and gospel
  30. antoineantoine
    Mar 4, 2005
    10
    i agree this cd definitely had lots of marketing so it blew up but Game's cd is sooo sick and it also hasnt left my car's cd player and i've had it for about 3 weeks and i dont think its leaving anytime soon
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Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2005
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The most remarkable aspect of the Game is how he can be such a blatant product of gangsta rap (okay, let's say fanboy) and leave a mark so fast.
    Read full review
  2. Amazon.com
    80
    It doesn't even matter much that he's a B minus rhyme spitter, or that he spends way too much studio time name dropping.
    Read full review
  3. E! Online
    83
    Amazingly solid.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »