An interesting choice, over 30 hip hop artists are involved in the new single, 'California Republic,' released by THE GAME this week. This week, I chose to review the song, 'death penalty'. Featuring artists, Fabolous, Eric Bellinger and Slim Thug, this song has some wonderfully modern slants on electronic music, with layers of vocals and digital sounds that create a sort of Baroque or traditional Eastern European edge to the backing music. The song opens with the chorus, and indeed, I can almost visualise Dracula on the organ as the opening lyrics, 'for not being who you claim, you've been found guilty', immediately emphasise the darker theme behind the song's title. 

By the time the beat marks the first verse, reference to the underbelly of California is worked into the lyrics and is highlighted by the off-key notes of the music. A slow tempo allows the vocals to alternate between accentuated force, ‘I need God with me in these streets’, and faster paced, ‘In the club half a pill and half a full clip’. The tempo in verbalising these lyrics I think is an excellent choice and alternative way of showing the duality of the artist’s lifestyles; reflective, meditative and also intensely active.

Through the music and lyrics, death penalty is not only aesthetically delightful, but also mysterious and quite a musical experiment, drawing on international musical influences to highlight core themes within the lyrics. This week, THE GAME’s ‘Death Penalty’ receives four stars from me.