Born 2 Rap

Born 2 Rap
Company type	Studio album
Industry	Music
Founded	November 29, 2019; 6 years ago
Founder	The Game
Products	Hip hop music album

Born 2 Rap marks the ninth studio album from American hip-hop artist the Game, released on November 29, 2019, through eOne Music. Its launch coincided with the rapper's 40th birthday. Marketed as his farewell project prior to retirement, The Game later resumed his music career in 2021. The album includes collaborations with a diverse roster of artists such as Dom Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, 21 Savage, Anderson .Paak, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, D Smoke, J. Stone, Just Liv, Masego, Marsha Ambrosius, Miguel, Mozzy, Nipsey Hussle, Osbe Chill, Red Café, Sly Pyper, ToBi, Travis Barker, and Trey Songz.

Background

The Game introduced Born 2 Rap as his concluding album, focusing on delivering quality rather than quantity and positioning it as the pinnacle of his artistic journey.

In 2019, The Game was legally held responsible for sexual assault involving Priscilla Rainey, a participant on She's Got Game. Rainey was awarded $7 million in damages alongside royalties from the album. Nevertheless, The Game’s manager, Wack 100, asserted control over all album royalties and contested the obligation to pay Rainey.

Critical reception

Critics widely praised Born 2 Rap. On Metacritic, it achieved an aggregated rating of 82 from four critiques.

Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews.com commended the album's duration and dedication, noting it validates the three-year production period and thoroughly covers its thematic scope. Fred Thomas from AllMusic emphasized the album’s rich street narratives and introspective lyrics, considering it a highlight despite its extensive length. Will Lavin from NME described the record as a storytelling masterclass but suggested that its 25 tracks could be condensed. Aaron McKrell of HipHopDX characterized it as a farewell effort resembling more a curated playlist, expressing anticipation for further material from Jayceon.

Track listing

{{Track listing | headline = Born 2 Rap track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = City of Sin | note1 = featuring Ed Sheeran | writer1 = | extra1 = | length1 = 1:43 | title2 = No Smoke | note2 = featuring Miguel and Travis Barker | writer2 = | extra2 = | length2 = 3:19 | title3 = Five Hundred Dollar Candles | note3 = featuring Dom Kennedy | writer3 = | extra3 = | length3 = 4:47 | title4 = The Light | writer4 = | extra4 = Brandon "Tec Beatz" Sewell | length4 = 3:18 | title5 = Carmen Electra | note5 = featuring Mozzy, Osbe Chill and TOBi | writer5 = | extra5 = Brandon "Tec Beatz" Sewell | length5 = 4:16 | title6 = Dead Homies | note6 = featuring Red Café | writer6 = | extra6 = | length6 = 2:53 |}

For brevity, remaining tracks are omitted; the full album comprises 25 songs with a total runtime of 90:12.*

Notes

Outro vocals by Nipsey Hussle appear on "Born 2 Rap"
Additional vocals by Dom Kennedy are featured on "I Didn't Wanna Write This Song"

Sample credits

"Five Hundred Dollar Candles" incorporates excerpts from Crips and Bloods 80s Interview (2016) alongside elements from "If Light Escapes" by April + VISTA.
"The Light" contains a sample of "Open Your Eyes" by Bobby Caldwell.
"Carmen Electra" integrates samples from DJ Premier and D'Angelo's "Devil's Pie."
"Gold Daytonas" samples Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s "Get Money."
"Gucci Flip Flops" includes elements from Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents."
"Welcome Home" samples Lamont Dozier's "Shine."
"I Didn’t Wanna Write This Song" features a sample from 2Pac's "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto."
"Hug the Block" interpolates Slum Village's performance of "Selfish."
"Stainless" samples Kool & the Gang's "Winter Sadness."
"Gangstas Make the Girls Go Wild" incorporates elements from the Stylistics' "People Make the World Go Round."
"Rewind II" samples Nas's track titled "Rewind."
"One Life" includes an excerpt from Nina Simone’s That Blackness.
"Roadside" contains elements taken from Ed Sheeran’s "Happier."
"Blood Thicker Than Water" features components of the song "I Shall Wear A Crown."

Charts

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Chart rankings for *Born 2 Rap*
Chart (2019)	Highest rank
Australian Albums (ARIA)	53