What the Game's Been Missing (Clean) [Clean]

Juelz Santana | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Clean
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B000BFNYZM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,148 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After dwelling in the shadow of Dipset mentor Cam'ron, Juelz Santana comes fully into his own on his sophomore album. Lyrically, Santana still isn't as clever or charismatic as Cam, though he's got great hooks and a compelling swagger. However, he's figured out how to cut great songs. What the Game's Been Missing is stocked with some great anthems: the excitable chatter of "Mic Check," the loungey swing of "There It Go," and "Oh Yes," which rivals Cam'ron's "Oh Boy" for gleeful charm (however gimmicky). It's not as guest heavy as you'd expect, with just a few cameos, including Young Jeezy and Lil' Wayne, plus Cam of course. Especially after the disappointment of Jim Jones's previous album, Juelz is helping Dipset end on a positive note for 2005. He could still stand to upgrade his lyrical sophistication, but Santana's proving adept in using what talents he's got to full effect. --Oliver Wang

Product Description

A funny thing happened to Juelz Santana on his way to making his sophomore album, What the Game's Been Missing. He fell in love with music. This isn't to say that the young Harlemite didn't have love for music beforehand. But in making his new album, Santana indulged his gift of gab by constructing his own studio.

"When you have your own place to make music, it becomes that much more of a priority. When you can dictate everything about your project that way, you start to really feel the music, feel every beat, every line. It becomes a part of you in a way that just doesn't happen when you're on someone else's dime and someone else's schedule."

You can feel the passion in the music. With the first two singles, Santana has landed a 1-2 combo that still has hip-hop heads spinning. The royal horns of "Mic Check 1, 2" and the absolutely addictive whistles of "There It Go" show off an even more focused Juelz Santana, tossing off ad-libs that other MC's would sign over their lives for ("Don't watch me. Watch T.V.")

"On my first album, I feel like I let a lot of things just go. This time around though, I felt like it was all on me. That's why I built my own studio. That's why I directed my own video. They always say, you wait your whole life to make that first album and pour your whole life into it. But I feel like this one, man, this is my baby." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Surprise... I Didn't Think This Would Be As Good As It Is, November 26, 2005

By 

Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. "Brent Faulkner" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Game's Been Missing (Audio CD)

I will be the first to admit that I am not the most avid rap listener. My musical tastes spans various genres and generally I am very selective about what kind of rap/hip-hop music that I listen to. Upon initially hearing the ubiquitous "There It Go (The Whistle Song)", I didn't think that Juelz Santana's second album WHAT THE GAME'S BEEN MISSING would be my cup of tea where listening is concerned. However, I'll admit that I was wrong.

Upon listening to WHAT THE GAME'S BEEN MISSING, there is a much more substance than I expected this album to have. For me, critically praised rappers include LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Common, Kanye West, and etc... Here on this album, Juelz proves that he could (with of course a lot more development and etc) to be a very credible rapper who could possibly see a mass following.

Going back to first single "There It Go (The Whistle Song)", I initially thought it was nothing but a copy of the overused "Wait Whisper Song" and David Banner's "Play", but it definitely did grow on me. The positive thing is that there is material just as good, if not better than that song on this album. "Oh Yes" is definitely a show stealer with the excellent sample used within it. Other favorites of mine included "Shottas","Kill Em", "This is Me", "Make It Work For You", and "Whatever You Wanna Call It".

The biggest flaw with What The Game's Been Missing is that Juelz does alude a bit too much to Dipset, which is his clique. It grows a bit annoying after hearing it a repeated number of times. Also there is filler material (such as "I Am Crack", "G Sh*t") and at 76 minutes long, most of the filler material could be alleviated just by cutting the length between 45 and 60 minutes. The trend of long rap albums has been a problem with some rap artists this year such as Young Jeezy, Lil'Kim, and The Game, who respectively had awesome albums released that rank at the top of the list as the best of 2005.

On a positive note, production is excellent throughout the album.Production is best on such tracks as "Clockwork" where the producers aren't afraid to experiment with different sounds and different settings. I wouldn't call this the best of the best rap albums of 2005, but it is definitely one of the stronger contenders. 4 Stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Juelz Santana ----- What the Game's Been Missing!, January 9, 2006

By 

David Foskin "SneakyGoblin on XBL" (Waterford, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What the Game's Been Missing (Audio CD)

The Dipset movement is now moving at full steam. Under the wing of Cam'Ron since the age of 14, Juelz Santana has played a vital role in the crew's growing popularity. Since being named Vice President of Diplomat Records, Juelz has developed a knack for starting his own buzz, with self funded videos and mixtapes. Building off of that hype is his sophomore effort, What The Game's Been Missing! (Diplomat/Def Jam). Santana does not live up to the album's bold title, but does provide some fire along the way.

Wasting no time, Juelz hits us with the energetic "Rumble Young Man Rumble." The tracks aggressive guitar riffs sets a perfect tone for Juelz, as he flows with flair and arrogance about what he was taught as a youth that makes him triumphant. The self proclaimed "human crack in the flesh," showcases his story telling skills successfully on "Lil Boy Fresh" and "Gone." Both tracks caution listeners about the usual dangers of the block that come along with drugs, violence and sex.

Doing what he does best, Santana reaches his full potential when attending to females with addictive club jump offs like "There It Go (The Whistle Song)" and "Oh Yes." On the latter, The Heatmakerz use a classic Motown sample, "Please Mr. Postman," by The Marvelettes, to help compliment Juelz and his light hearted flow. The festive "There It Go (The Whistle Song)" is every deejays favorite with its tickling whistles and thunderous drums to give everybody the urge to hit the floor.

The sluggish track "Clockwork," does little to keep up with the dynamic energy of What The Game's Been Missing! with its dull production that can surely put someone to sleep. Tracks like "Kid Is Back" and "Freaky," also sabotage the album's enjoyment because of the simplistic lyrics and bland content.

Getting too comfortable in his original rhyme scheme made popular by Dipset, Juelz's lyrical prowess does not show on What The Game's Been Missing!. Though he comes through with unique style and energy, it does little to push the envelope beyond what he has already been known to do. Is Mr. Crack Cocain in the Flesh what the game has been missing? No! Yet, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aye!!!, November 22, 2005

By 

John W. Bowens "JayBee" (SE, Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Game's Been Missing (Audio CD)

Solid sophomore effort from young Juelz. He brings it back to NY with the storytelling on two standout tracks, "Lil' Boy Fresh" and "Gone". "Make It Work for You", a track produced by New Orleans newcomer Develop (look out for him on Lil' Wayne's Carter 2) with Jeezy and Wayne is that Dipset, gutta, crack muzik at its best. "Daddy" shows a different side of Juelz; it gives you a glimpse of the real dude, Laron James and his new role as a father and the responsibilities that come with it. "Oh Yes" is anutha Dipset certified track with a Supremes sample that's too infectious to deny. There's a Santana's Town Pt. 2 on the Dipset CD 'More than Music', but "Violence" seems more like a sequel to the original Santana's Town than the aforementioned track. These are just my favorites but this CD packs a lotta punch. You can tell ol' boy put his heart and soul in this one. For those who weren't ready or just don't know... 'From Me to U' was a overlooked classic. Go back and listen to that, really listen to it. Juelz is not a gimmick. No sophomore jinx here ladies and gentleman. Aye!