Game – “OKE: Operation Kill Everything” (Mixtape Review) DX Consensus: “EP-Worthy”
Game has always fancied himself an O.G. And while his early work with JT the Bigga Figga adds some stripes that predate his Dr. Dre and 50 Cent cosigns, some alleged, subliminal shots at Jay Z and overt ones at the likes of Ja Rule created the perception that Jayceon Taylor didn’t respect some of the unwritten rules of Hip Hop. Four albums later, including his multi-platinum debut, The Documentary, even Game’s detractors would likely admit perception has met reality. His nine-plus year run has cemented him a few tiers below his mentor, Dr. Dre as a West Coast vet, but provided him a longer mainstream track record than the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Problem and Dom Kennedy.
Part of that success is lies in Game’s ability to cater to his core fans while adhering to the often-formulaic nature of retail and top 40, terrestrial radio. Much like his previous mixtapes, a good portion of “OKE: Operation Kill Everything” is rooted in Game knowing when to eschew formula. Three cuts in, Too Short, ScHoolboy Q and Skeme join in for nearly 11-minute long “Astronaut Pussy, Welcome To California.” It’s arguably one of Game’s most adventurous tracks—complete with his own distorted vocals, an interpolation of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” some lyrical and literal gang banging from ScHoolboy and Skeme and Too Short’s trademark, “Bitch” just for good measure.
As expected from someone who spent a significant amount of time under Dr. Dre’s tutelage, Game’s beat selection is excellent. DJ Skee’s touch is also likely a factor here, as the sequencing is also on point, and the drops are noticeable but not invasive. “OKE” offers more soulful, melodic offerings (“Kill Everything,” “Life Is But A Dream, ” “Breakfast With Al Pacino”) than previous Game mixtapes such as “Candy Coronas” and “Brake Lights.” Game is amorphous, switching from his standard cadence to fit in with the current ratchet, turn up scene (“Turn Down For What,” “Fuck A Bitch”) and revisiting his angst-ridden, rapping/crying hybrid flow from “The Doctor’s Advocate.” It’s an effective tool, when used in small doses.
“My son just walked in wanting to see his grandma / But I can’t let him see you like this, damn ma / What the fuck we doin’, what the fuck we doin’ / Somethin’ happen to you, my whole life is ruined / Let The Lord take me from my fuckin’ mama / I’m a kill myself, break in heaven / Then it’s gone be drama,” he howls on “Love On Fire.”
“Maybe In Another Life” is equally powerful, as Game addresses his presumably estranged fiancée and reality show co-star Tiffney Cambridge. Such songs help balance out the trendy club material, and push the overall mixtape into superior territory.
Game’s intention to at least entertain an offer from Cash Money Records upon fulfilling his Interscope obligation is arguably one of Hip Hop’s worst kept secrets. His ear for beats and lyrical dexterity—whether catering to trends or completely avoiding them—will undoubtedly serve him well if he chooses to join the house Birdman built. But, as it concerns “OKE,” Game sounds like someone completely comfortable in his own skin. While the subliminal shots at 50 Cent and Interscope are expected, they’re outweighed by personal accounts inspired by his children, lost love and his city.
It’s telling that Game conceptually approaches his latest mixtape in O.G. fashion—stepping aside as the likes of Problem, Clyde Carson and Joe Moses play their proper position (See Game saying, “Once I retire, this is Kendrick’s crown” on “Life Is But A Dream”) and reasserting his dominance as needed. As usual, his unpredictability outside the booth serves him well once he’s placed in front of a microphone.
Im 7 songs in and this bitch hasn’t stopped jamming yet!
Game always has, gems on his projects, but also always has duds on there too.
This nigga always steals flows from other rappers and is totally not original. And im getting sick with all the tough talk nigga u just a studiogangsta
I agree but there is worse, listen to common logic/midnight marauder by logic and tell me the first song doesnt sound exactly like kendrick
nice
Game always brings the fire, dope beats, good features and a good mix of personal/mindless lyrics. Like Pharell said, game is the most underrated rapper out there, with probably triple the amount of songs that most artists have. People complain about him flow jacking and shit like that, but they don’t understand. He is the essence of the rap game, the slang,current trends and everything hip hop. If you don’t enjoy the game, you don’t enjoy hip hop.
I fucking love this comment
Yessir- couldn’t have said it better myself
Preach!!!
GAME TIME!
Dope. Game always brings the heat for the West. Fuck the haters.
Game needs to stop with all these whack trap songs. Disappointing tape overall.
Game do got a great ear for beats I liked all his albums the name droppin gets annoying n hes never gon be as good as jadakiss or nas but he definatly a dope mc and his stuff is always worth checking out
that astronaut pussy track does not sample brittney spears, it’s yael naim covering toxic. and beast 1333 did it way better, it was produced by king solomon, youtube too high beast 1333 and tell me it doesn’t make that track sound like SHIT
THIS NIGGA GAME NEEDS TO CHILL WITH ALL THIS RATCHET SHIT SMH…HE’S TRYNA SOUND LIKE THESE NEW NIGGAS
Word
dope !
there’s a couple of goo tracks on here like Love On Fire, Breakfast With Al Pacino & The City but he needs to stay away from these YMCMB faggots
GAME TIME
Gotta respect the enduring impact Game’s had in Hip Hop for the past 10 years can’t knock the hustle
Check the deluxe edition without all the DJ Skee drops its out
good lookin my nigga
Mixtape is better then ur favorite Rappers Album haha. Mixtape Goes….
Mixtape is worse then ur favorite Rappers Album haha Mixtape Sucks…
i fav rappers mixtapes are better than his albums though LOL
Garbage… No different than the mainstream crap that’s being put out by every single rapper he featured on the tape smh
These are probably all Jesus Piece throwaways which is a good thing
it’s whack except for a few songs
Blazin
nice mixtape
*****
great!
its not terrible but its not good. i dont even know if i would ever play this again
after a listen or two.. dope tape. i’ll probably end up removing 5-7 tracks or so (mostly the ratchet sounding stuff), but theres some great material on here.
Great Tape, Game is top 5
It takes a smart nigga to keep his own originality and mix it up with current trends been a huge Game fan since he was wit 50 I have to admit his vversitility has to be commended,,, Fuck haters good mixtape
I agree fam…
tfjhftxh
Dope ass tape. Game still got it!
7/10 at best
Better than many albums, but not his best
:'(
: )
awesome mix tape by the nigga game props 5/5
game completely bit kendricks flow on “welcome to california”… i just dont respect him for that
Kendrick didnt create that style. Only someone who doesnt know hip hop would say some ignorant shit like that. Game has many styles that he uses. The double cadence flow is not created by either of these dudes. Learn the game before you speak
game wasnt using it before kendrick though
game is known to bite the flows of many artists, sometimes when they are on songs together
Good Mother flippen Game right hurr
Dope ish, Game just breezing through this dope ass beatz like its nuthing, the delivery is on point esp shout outs to his moms that was deep. Can’t wait for him to drop that R$CH GANG debut Most Anticipated since detox lol
golden
judging it as an album (7/10).
judging it as a mixtape (8.5/10).
the game never fails to put out quality music.
good joke
greeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttt
game definetly one of the greatest of all time
bomb!!fire!!bam ty game
Well rounded, Def has a shot at mixtape of the year, Game goes hard always, and is very consistent. I give it 5 Stars.
Besides Documentary and DA, Games mixtapes always better than his albums, I will never understand why.
i agree. well, i never really liked the Documentary like that but the Doctor’s Advocate is my favorite . “Hoodmorning(candy caronas)” “Break Lights” and “Purp n’Patron” are his best mixtapes (IMO)
gtfoh doctors advocate was trash he had producers recycle dre sound and his flow sucked
DA was his best album – if it was as simple as recycling that Dre sound, wouldn’t everyone do it? While I like the mixtapes that Rell listed, I always found the less polished ones like “Ghost Unit” and “Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin” to be more entertaining. Mr. Potato Head!
AWESOMEEEEEEE
ITS A GAME TAPE. BETTER THAN NIPSEY HUSSLE TAPE BY THE WAY
overall its a creative blend of todays “ratchetness” with a large doseage of lyrics. like the closely classic track called “Swerve”. the Lyrical content is significantly higher than what i expected like the Track “F.I.V.E”
must say Oke really out classed Crenshaw, Game Time!
mad lyricist
pretty disappointing. doesn’t spit the same calibers as he used to.
Best MIXTAPE this year
Best MIXTAPE this year !
mixtape was wack. game needs to hang it up already.
Bad
Pretty good for a mixtape, though not his best work. (3.5/5)
WACK
Game you need to go back to the documentary and doctors advocate style ya dig
Sick
Dope
Marvelous
run the choo choo then put that up on world star or youtube
lyrical genius
Check OKE 2