The Game

The biggest thing out of Compton since N.W.A., the Game comes hard on his highly anticipated solo debut, dropping fierce street verses over an array of hard-knocking beats. Solid production comes from Dr. Dre and Kanye West, while 50 Cent co-stars on "Hate It Or Love It" and "How We Do." Sure to be huge in 2005.

Shout-outs are one thing, name-dropping is another: on "Dreams" alone, Dre, 50, Pac, Biggie, Snoop, Eazy, Kanye, Whitney, Jam Master Jay, Marvin Gaye, Frankie Beverly, Aaliyah, Left Eye, Mya, Viveca, Yetunde Price, Venus and Serena Williams, Huey Newton, Martin Luther King, Marshall Mathers, "Vibe magazine," and Dave Mays. Now permit me to refrain from listing the titles from which the title track is constructed. Dull even when he isn't describing his medical problems, this no-talent is masscult rock at its most brazen, as certain to fall as Tom DeLay (meaning it looks that way and I hope the f*ck). He's not Asia or Whitesnake, who reconstituted known elements. Even Nelson had a pedigree, although you could say Game's Crip mom equals their cokehead dad. Eddie Money, maybe? Lasted too long, but an ex-cop--perfect. (Grade - C-)