Game Theory

by The Roots

Type: Album
Released: August 29, 2006
Label: Def Jam, Def Jam Recordings
Country: United States
Length: 46:58
Community rating: 4.51/5 from 10 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

As the group's first release on Def Jam Recordings, 'Game Theory' signaled a significant shift towards a darker, grittier, and more overtly political sound, largely abandoning the lush jazz and R&B influences of previous efforts. [1, 2, 4] The album's production is stripped-down and cohesive, featuring a sound reminiscent of Public Enemy and built mostly within Apple's GarageBand software. [1] Lyrically, the record tackles sober sociological themes, including critiques of the Iraq War and violence in music, all delivered with a focused and urgent performance by Black Thought. [1, 5] The album also serves as an extended tribute to the late producer J Dilla, whose beats and influence are woven into the fabric of the critically acclaimed project. [1, 5, 6]

Genres

Descriptors: rap, political, conscious, sampling, hard

Tracklist

Credits

Black Thought - rap, vocals
Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson - drums
Leonard 'Hub' Hubbard - bass
Kamal Gray - keyboards
Kirk Douglass - guitar
Frank 'Knuckles' Walker - percussion
Malik B. - featuring, rap
Larry Gold - arranged by [strings], conductor, cello
Jenny Dilorenzo - cello
The Roots - producer
Kevin Hanson - producer
Khari Mateen - producer, recording engineer
Richard Nichols - executive-producer, producer, art direction
The Carter Administration - executive-producer
Jason Goldstein - mixed by
Russell Elevado - mixed by
Dave Kutch - mastered by
RJ - lacquer cut by
Karl Jenkins - a&r
Patrick Reynolds - a&r
Tara Podolsky - a&r [administration]
Leesa D. Brunner - a&r [coordination]
Alli Truch - art direction
Kenny Gravillis - art direction
Nichell Delvaille - coordinator [photography and art]
Gravillis, Inc. - design
Jon Smeltz - recording engineer