Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf

Last updated

Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf
Game Blood Moon Year of the Wolf.jpg
Compilation album by
the Game
ReleasedOctober 14, 2014 (2014-10-14)
Recorded2013–14
Genre Hip hop
Length60:05
Label
Producer
the Game chronology
Jesus Piece
(2012)		Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf
(2014)		 The Documentary 2
(2015)
Singles from Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf
  1. "Bigger Than Me"
    Released: June 16, 2014
  2. "Or Nah"
    Released: July 1, 2014

Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf is the second compilation album [1] [2] by American rapper the Game. It was released on October 14, 2014, by Blood Money Entertainment and eOne Music. [3] The album was supported by two singles: "Bigger Than Me" and "Or Nah". Upon its release, Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200, selling 33,000 copies in its first week of release.

Contents

Background

In December 2012, the Game founded a new record label, Rolex Records, along with a fellow American rapper Stat Quo. [4] Following its founding, he bought his entire team at the record label Rolex watches. After a six-month legal battle with Rolex, he was forced to change the name and logo of the record label. He officially would then change the name of the label to The Firm, [5] which then became Blood Money Entertainment. [6] The label signed West Coast rappers Skeme and Dubb as its first two artists. [7]

Promotion

On June 16, 2014, the Game released the album's first single "Bigger than Me". [8] [9] The song heavily samples rock group Poliça's 2013 single "Warrior Lord". The second single off of Year of the Wolf, titled "Or Nah" was released on July 1, 2014 [10] [11] The album was originally scheduled to be released on September 16, 2014 but was pushed back a month for last minute touches and changes. [12] The Game held a contest in which the fans could design the album cover. He found it so difficult to pick a cover that he pushed back the winners announcement twice. Finally, on September 4, 2014 he announced that Instagram user "xoramos661" had made the cover he would use for the album. [13]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]
XXL 4/5 (XL) [16]

Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf received mixed reviews from music critics. David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "More a misrepresentation than a failure, Blood Moon is a loose label comp that would do fine living in the forgiving lands of stopgap and second tier. Labeled as a Game album proper, it's a serious dip." [14] Kellan Miller of XXL stated, "With a heavy heart and head against the backdrop of soulful, funereal sounding instrumentals, The Game puts together two of the deepest, enduring cuts in his entire catalog." However, he characterizes much of the album as "filler". [16] Dean Mayorga of HipHopDX said, "The album ultimately fails in establishing a balance and plunges into unfocused aggression." [15]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, with sales of 33,000 copies in the United States. [17] In its second week, the album dropped to number 31 on the chart, selling 9,000 copies. [18] The album has sold 80,000 copies as of October 2015. [19]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Bigger Than Me"Jordan Mosley5:31
2."F.U.N." Matthew Burnett 3:05
3."Really" (featuring Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, Soulja Boy, and T.I.)
  • The Mekanics
  • OZ
5:27
4."Fuck Yo Feelings" (featuring Lil Wayne and Chris Brown)Ocean & Nova3:36
5."On One" (featuring King Marie and Ty Dolla Sign) Isabella Summers 3:14
6."Married to the Game" (featuring French Montana, Dubb, and Sam Hook) Boi-1da 4:40
7."The Purge" (featuring Stacy Barthe)Cozmo5:14
8."Trouble On My Mind" (performed by Dubb and Jake&Papa)
2:58
9."Cellphone" (featuring Dubb)The Mekanics3:59
10."Best Head Ever" (featuring Tyga and Eric Bellinger)Dupri3:39
11."Or Nah" (featuring Too Short, Problem, AV, and Eric Bellinger) Dre 4:14
12."Take That" (performed by Tyga and Pharaoh Prophet)Jereme Jay3:04
13."Food For My Stomach" (performed by Dubb and Skeme)Duke Dinero4:16
14."Hit Em Hard" (featuring Bobby Shmurda, Freddie Gibbs, and Skeme)Amadeus4:41
15."Black on Black" (featuring Young Jeezy and Kevin Gates)
  • The MeKanics
  • Yung Ladd
5:11
Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
16."Mad Flows" (performed by Skeme)Rey Reel3:28
17."Bloody Moon" (featuring Shateish) Nottz 3:08
iTunes Store deluxe edition bonus track
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
18."I Just Wanna Be" (featuring Stat Quo, Sap, and King Marie)Sap4:24
Best Buy deluxe edition bonus track [20]
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
17."Be Nobody Else" (featuring AV, Stacy Barthe, and Uiie)Sap5:08

Charts

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References

  1. ↑ "The Game Confirms 'Blood Money' Is Only A Compilation Album; Hasn't Signed New Deal Yet". HipHop-N-More. June 21, 2014. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  2. ↑ Fleischer, Adam (October 14, 2014). "These 4 Tracks From Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf Prove That Game Is Still West Coast Royalty". MTV. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Game "Year Of The Wolf" Release Date, Tracklist, Cover Art". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Game, Stat Quo Launching New Record Label – XXL". Xxlmag.com. December 2, 2012. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Game Loses Legal Battle Over 'Rolex Records' Name, Renames Label – XXL". Xxlmag.com. July 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Game Addresses 50 Cent, G-Unit Reunion & Lil Durk Beef". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Game Signs Skeme And Dubb To Blood Money Entertainment". XXL. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  8. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Bigger Than Me – Single by Game". iTunes. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Listen to The Game Diss Rap's 'New Generation,' Frank Ocean on 'Bigger Than Me'". Radio.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  10. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Or Nah (feat. Too $hort, Problem, AV & Eric Bellinger) – Single by Game". iTunes. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
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  12. ↑ Navjosh. "The Game Pushes Back 'Year Of The Wolf'; Announces 'The Documentary 2′ Release Date". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Instagram". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
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  15. 1 2 HipHopDX. "Game". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
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  17. ↑ Tardio, Andres (October 11, 2014). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Game, Hoodie Allen, Chris Brown". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
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  19. ↑ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf PA – CD – Best Buy". Best Buy. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
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  30. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
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  34. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
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