Between his decision to pursue a rap career and becoming 2005's Next Big Thing, Jayceon Taylor (AKA the Game) was a part of San Francisco producer JT the Bigga Figga's crowd.
While JT wasn't along for the ride when the Game blew up (and was none too happy about it), he still owned reels of tapes of the Compton rapper's early rhymes.
However, WEST COAST RESURRECTION, JT's second presentation of pre-DOCUMENTARY tracks by the Game, is more than a jilted indie mogul's revenge or an opportunist's quick buck.
While the collection may raise eyebrows, RESURRECTION holds interest as more than just archival material, as the Game drops his usual sharp raps over production that's nearly on par with his major-label debut.
The Game's lyrical agility is often astounding, as he spits metaphors, narratives, and savvy cultural references on the defiant "Troublesome" and the reflective "Promised Land." JT makes his presence as a rapper known throughout the album, showing himself to be an able MC, and his unique growl provides a good counterpoint to the Game's flow.