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The Game Reflects On ‘The Documentary’ 12 Anniversary & Selling 10 Million

The Game is reflecting on the 12 year anniversary of his hugely successful debut album “The Documentary” and selling 10 million copies of it.

The West Coast rapper post a lengthy message on Instagram reflecting on his most successful project by far to date. In his post, The Game thanks Dr. Dre who mentored him in his early career and even his past labelmate turn rival 50 Cent for giving him a shot at stardom.

The Compton rapper also thanked his kids, particularly his first born son for being an inspiration in his life.

“12 years ago today I dropped my 1st album. An album that would go on to sell 10 million copies worldwide & reshape my city & coast,” Game wrote. “I’m forever in debt to @DrDre for believing in my dream… [YOU] my fans for the support then & the ones that are still going hard for me at this very moment…. ain’t no ME without YOU ! @50cent for helping push it through the final stages…. my brother @BigFase100 & @ComptonGRide for helping birth what the world would know as #TheBlackWallStreet & last but not least… my son @hvrlemtaylor for being the motivation behind everything I put into this album.”

The Documentary was released on January 18, 2005 and was certified double platinum after selling over 2 million units that same year, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, RIAA. Since then the album had sold over 10 million copies and received raved reviews in hip hop circles. In 2015, The Game celebrated the 10-year anniversary with a tribute album The Documentary 2 and then 2.5.

View this post on Instagram

12 years ago today I dropped my 1st album. An album that would go on to sell 10 million copies worldwide & reshape my city & coast…. I'm forever in debt to @DrDre for believing in my dream… [YOU] my fans for the support then & the ones that are still going hard for me at this very moment…. ain't no ME without YOU ! @50cent for helping push it through the final stages…. my brother @BigFase100 & @ComptonGRide for helping birth what the world would know as #TheBlackWallStreet & last but not least… my son @hvrlemtaylor for being the motivation behind everything I put into this album. Without the birth of my 1st son, I wouldn't have ever had the fire inside me to be anything other than dead. Before him, I didn't give a fuck about who's life I took or who would take mine…. all I knew was #Compton…. & I figured I'd end up shot dead in the streets over gangbangin just because that is the mentality of a young African-American male coming from where I come from…… When I came out, it was just me, @SnoopDogg, @xzibit & @tyrese representing #LosAngeles on a worldwide scale in music & #TheDocumentary changed the way hip hop fans/critics viewed #WestCoast rap niggas….. after this album, they had to respect us for more than just gangsta rap, but for being lyricists as well…… from @IceCube to @KendrickLamar & @YG, we have flourished as a rap culture…. I can remember being at my grandmothers house listening to @Nas's albums & perfecting my flow & the pocket listening to @2pac gave me the style & confidence to enter & win every freestyle battle I entered until I met #JTTheBiggaFigga & recorded my demo. The rest is history & this is my acknowledgement to my fans, family & all those who believed in & supported me the past 12 years…. #Happy12thBday #TheDocumentary

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