Single: The Game ft. Travis Barker - Dope Boyz

With LAX set to land in stores imminently, everybody's favourite name-dropping California native, The Game, follows up from the banging but somewhat overlooked single Big Dreams, with his latest effort, titled Dope Boyz.

Considering Hip Hop's current fascination with skate culture and rock stars, I suppose it is timely that the Compton flag-bearer team up with former Blink 182 member Travis Barker, for what sounds like a West Coast version of Jay-Z's Roc Boyz (although in this case the title is mainly a metaphor than a direct subject matter).

Amidst heavy percussion, menacing strings and sun-soaked synth, provided by talented Cali-bred newcomers 1500 or Nothin’, Game can't help but mention his former mentor, while also talking up his overrated (by him at least) emcee skills: "Tell Dr. Dre to pick up a phone/before I climb through his window like, ni**a I'm home!". Barker certainly shows a newly found soulful side during his performance on the hook, too bad it's overshadowed by the beat and overall West Coast thuggery on display.

Originatlity isn't the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing Dope Boyz, with Game up to his usual tricks, it is above average fare though and will probably help build up more steam in the lead up to LAX.