“The Documentary III” was a solid album, so that’s all that matters.

The Game’s The Documentary III debuts at No. 68 on this week’s Billboard 200 after earning approximately 15,000 album-equivalent units.

The massive 24-track project arrived loaded with star power. Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Leon Thomas, Larry June, and several others appear throughout the album. Unsurprisingly, the lead single, “No Brakes,” currently leads the project in streams, followed by “Love It or Hate It” and “40 Nights.” Interestingly, the final track, “Game Recognize Game,” has attracted the fewest streams so far.

To put the opening into perspective, Drillmatic – Heart vs. Mind debuted with 25,000 units in 2022. The new total also sits far below the enormous 586,000 copies The Documentary sold during its first week in 2005. Of course, the industry and its measurement systems have changed significantly since then, so those figures are not perfect comparisons.

Still, there is no denying that The Game is far removed from his commercial peak. There is also no reason to pretend that diminishes his legacy. He has already built an influential catalog, delivered major records, and survived several eras of hip-hop. At this stage, he has nothing left to prove through sales.

Ultimately, The Documentary III is a good album. The numbers may inspire arguments online, but the music is what listeners will keep after the conversation disappears.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.