Untold Story, Vol. 2

Personnel: The Game (rap vocals); Nina B, 2 Face, JT the Bigga Figga, Seff Tha Gaffla, Blu Chip, Lord Nez, Stackin Chips (rap vocals).
California rapper the Game had been lighting up the mix-tape circuit for years before catching the eyes and ears of Aftermath Records. The Game's lyrics are about as hard as they come, and no one could dare question the sincerity of his rhymes. The young MC turned to lyrics after he was shot and coming out of a coma. The former hustler's brutal, precise rhymes captured the attention of many, including impresario JT the Bigga Figga, who signed up to produce the Game's debut. (This record is riddled with controversy, as the Game and JT had a falling out.)
Despite this conflict, UNTOLD STORY certainly conveys the Game's full hip-hop prowess, which stirred up such excitement in the West Coast rap scene. The Game's confidence is overwhelming, as he declares himself the best rapper since 2Pac's demise and drops almost every name in hip-hop from Nas to NWA. Fortunately, his rhymes back up his swagger; his style is not complex or ornate, but, like 2Pac, he gets his point across concisely and unquestionably. UNTOLD STORY provides a peek inside the mind of an up-and-coming rapper and stands on its own as a well-rounded record.