Performer Notes

Personnel: Tracey Nelson (vocals, background vocals); Marsha Ambrosius, Dion, 1500 Choir, Jamie Foxx, Junior Reid, Kanye West, Nas, Nate Dogg, Andrea Martin , Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz, Tha Dogg Pound, will.i.am (vocals); Erik "Baby Jesus" Coomes, Aaron Fishbein, Daniel Seeff (guitar); Just Blaze (strings, drums); Larrance Dopson, Lamar Edwards (piano, organ); Walter Howard, Ervin Pope (keyboards); Janeen Jasmine (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Ethan Willoughby; Ryan West; Doug Wilson; Steve Baughman "Steve B."; Mike Dean ; will.i.am.
Recording information: Area 51 Studio, Detroit, MI; Baseline Recordings, NY, NY; Cathedral, Hollywood, CA; Chalice Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Encore Recording, Burbank, CA; Fire House Studios, Brooklyn, NY; Larrabee Studios, N. Hollywood, CA; NRG Studios, N. Hollywood, CA; Pacifique, N. Hollywood, CA; Sony Studios, NY, NY; Studio Atlantis, Hollywood, CA; The Hit Factory, Miami, FL; the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; WEstlake Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Jonathan Mannion.
On his second major-label release, Compton rapper and former Dr. Dre protege The Game returns with more of the West Coast gangsta flavor that has been his trademark since the 2004 indie debut, UNTOLD STORY. DOCTOR'S ADVOCATE's production credits include a long and eclectic list of super-producers such as DJ Khalil, Will.I.Am, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Scott Storch, and Hi-Tek, but not, oddly, Dre.
That might be the point. It's a testament to Dre's industry weight that he can dominate an LP without touching it. While his beats are conspicuously absent, Dre's influence can be heard on every track. And on the rare occasions when Game isn't directly talking to or about him, the Compton MC's vocal tone, lyrical content, and delivery are paying Dre homage. At the same time, the Game's Chronic-inspired lyrics and arsenal of clever punch-lines add up to an undeniable charisma all his own.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (pp.111-112) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "He's more nimble and more assured than before, and he switches up his flow more often."

Entertainment Weekly (p.121) - "[T]he rapper's gruff delivery juxtaposes nicely with beatsmith Scott Storch's ABBA-inspired disco-thump and singer Nate Dogg's clean tones on 'Too Much.'"

CMJ (p.35) - "DOCTOR'S ADVOCATE is wall-to-wall intensity and danger, but never forgets to keep your head bobbing..."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.105) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Game sketches himself into his genre's history and eulogises his gangsta rap forefathers against melodic, golden-age-worthy beats..."