Too Much of The Game? Not yet.

The Game has often been criticized for overblowing his skills as an MC. He calls himself “number one since B.I.G. and Pac departed” and claims that he “cannot – will not – ever be replaced.” Regardless of whether Game exaggerates his status – which he most surely does, but since when is that a crime in hip hop? – he is most definitely a better MC than he is often given credit for.

Consider “Too Much,” off game’s second album, The Doctor’s Advocate. Scott Storch provides a solid beat, one with a clever use of bells and simple use of drums. The beat’s primary shortcoming is its misplaced and overdone use of strings during the chorus. Regardless of this flaw, Game has a well constructed beat to work with.

And he certainly takes advantage of this opportunity. Game opts to make his first entrance as soon as the beat shifts away from the dominant chord, which certainly keeps things interesting. And Game’s rhymes themselves are very solid – and, at times, even more.

Game shows an uncanny ability to rhyme. Particularly ingenious is Game proclamation: “And it’s evident – my flow is heaven-sent.” Game also refers to three different professional athletes – Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, and “King Griffey.” Though seemingly trivial, it is always nice to see rappers explicitly connect their verses to the real world.

But the highlight of the song, by far, is when the drums drop out during Game’s third verse. He raps on top of the baritone voice of Nate Dogg – who, as always, delivers a solid performance. Game raps:

Drop the top on whatever you win
Let your ponytail blow in the wind
Inhale the chronic,
Blow out dallar signs.
N**** you can drive a Bently if only in your mind.

First, Game connects two perpetual motifs of West Coast rap – marijuana and money – through an intriguing use of imagery. And then, with his last line, Game alludes to the power of imagination. This line shows Game for the thoughtful rapper that he is.

Certainly, Game’s performance is not flawless. The chorus of Too Much, for instance, is insipid and underdeveloped. But on the whole, Game shows himself as a first class MC, even if not quite “the best since B.I.G. and Pac departed.”