This is a brand new collaborative mixtape between Big Hit & The Game. One of which hails from Los Angeles and is off his debut album The Truth is in My Eyes a few weeks ago, after being in the works for a decade and the other is an established Compton veteran at this point, mentored by both Dr. Dre as much as 50 Cent Drillmatic: Heart vs. Mind a year and a half ago, which was the most I've enjoyed a work from him in quite some time. Both projects were executive produced by Big Hit's son Hit-Boy, who ultimately produced Paisley Dreams to start in 2024.
“Backfade” is an ominous boom bap opener that talks about each other's backs using old school west coast jargon, while the title track takes a more honest approach, admitting they're fathers first and reals second. “P Fiction” featuring Hit-Boy finds the trio shifting into trap territory stating it's threats leading into “Bang” which talks about hitting for the cause over a Mobb instrumental.
Meanwhile, “Cutthroat” kicks off the 2nd leg ballin' over a g-funk beat and TeeFLii's hook is inspired by late Zapp frontman Roger Troutman just before “The Game Won't Stop” returns to a fuller sound. waving at the cops. “Crisis” featuring Half-a-Mil has a gospel twist that discusses struggle, while “Happy Ru Year” is a New Year's anthem with flair. “Body for Body” concludes the tape reeking of homicide over an orchestral snare.
It's crazy to think that Game went out on Big Hit & Hit-Boy to only do 1 track between them to end up with a 9 song tape that will come out of nowhere in the New Year. If you're headed west coast you need to check it out Paisley Dreams at some point. Hit-Boy's production mixes boom bap, trap, g-funk, Mobb music and hyphy as his dad teams up with vet Compton on the mic to recap their sets.
Rating: 8/10
