Born 2 Rap cover

Born 2 Rap

The Game · 2019

90 min · 25 tracks · gangsta rap

A reflective blend of hard-hitting beats and introspective lyrics, showcasing the duality of street life and personal growth.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    City of Sin Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    I Didn’t Wanna Write This Song — This track stands out as a raw confession where The Game explores the emotional weight of his experiences, blending vulnerability with his characteristic bravado.
  • →
    Dead Homies — In this poignant tribute, The Game reflects on lost friends, showcasing his ability to weave personal loss into broader narratives about loyalty and remembrance.
  • →
    Born 2 Rap — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of identity and legacy, featuring a powerful beat and introspective lyrics that highlight The Game's journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100
Foothills
Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong writing and production but lacks cohesion due to its length and varied styles.

What we noticed

  • Many tracks utilize a narrative structure, where The Game reflects on personal experiences and street life, often switching between aggressive and contemplative tones.
  • Several songs incorporate guest features, adding different perspectives and styles that enhance the overall narrative.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • gritty storytelling with emotional depth
  • dynamic journey with varied pacing
  • introspective reflections on life
  • late-night listening for contemplation
  • wave-like pacing that surprises

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — The album showcases The Game's continued vitality as he concludes his career.
Themes
West Coast legacy· lost friends tribute· street life duality
Career context
Released on January 1, 2019, Born 2 Rap was positioned as The Game's final studio album, marking the end of an era for the veteran rapper. Following a prolific career that began with his debut album The Documentary in 2005, this project encapsulates his evolution through the West Coast hip-hop scene and addresses themes of legacy and family.
Stylistic neighbors
50 Cent· Kendrick Lamar· Snoop Dogg

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 City of Sin Start here 1:43
  • 2 No Smoke 3:19
  • 3 Five Hundred Dollar Candles 4:47
  • 4 The Light 3:18
  • 5 Carmen Electra 4:16
  • 6 Dead Homies 2:53
  • 7 Gold Daytonas 2:37
  • 8 West Side 2:50
  • 9 40 Ounce Love 2:57
  • 10 Gucci Flip Flops 3:43

Disc 2

  • 1 Born 2 Rap 4:00
  • 2 Welcome Home 4:33
  • 3 Help Me 2:18
  • 4 I Didn’t Wanna Write This Song 4:21
  • 5 The Code 5:49
  • 6 Stay Down 3:36
  • 7 Hug the Block 4:57
  • 8 Ask for Me 2:38
  • 9 Stainless 3:59
  • 10 Gangstas Make the Girls Go Wild 2:48
  • 11 Blood Thicker Than Water 3:47
  • 12 Rewind II 2:24
  • 13 One Life 5:14
  • 14 Cross on Jesus Back 3:28
  • 15 Roadside 3:56

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata