"It's Okay (One Blood)" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game featuring vocals from reggae singer Junior Reid, from his second studio album Doctor's Advocate. Released as the album's lead single on July 24, 2006, the song was written by The Game himself and Junior Reid, and it was produced by D-Roc, and Reefa. The Game himself revealed that the song would be released on July 31, 2006, but actually was released on July 24, 2006. The song was originally to be released on July 4, 2006 but got pushed back by The Game. Jimmy Rosemond, head of Czar Entertainment and The Game's manager, explained how "One Blood" would receive positive radio airplay and prove the talent that The Game had.[1] A supposed original version of the song was released in late January 2011.
| "It's Okay (One Blood)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Game featuring Junior Reid | ||||
| from the album Doctor's Advocate | ||||
| Released | July 24, 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:17 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Songwriter(s) | D. Collington, Delroy Reid, Sharif Slater, Jayceon Taylor | |||
| Producer(s) | D-Roc, Reefa | |||
| The Game singles chronology | ||||
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| Junior Reid singles chronology | ||||
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Background
editWhen news of The Game's first single was announced by Rosemond, it was revealed simply as "One Blood" and is the name it commonly goes by (also, the words "Blood" and "One Blood" are repeated throughout the song). The song samples Junior Reid's "One Blood" and features Junior Reid himself. According to Reefa, the producer of the song, "One Blood" was mixed by Mike Dean for Dean's List Productions. Several lines in the song stirred controversy as to who the lines were aimed at: "You 38 and you still rapping, ugh", was aimed at Jay-Z, as well as a diss at snap music; "Turn on the TV and all you see is the A/You niggaz better make up a dance and try to get radio play/Keep on snapping your fingers, I ain't going away." After people thought he made a diss to Atlanta, GA, The Game later clarified who he was referring to in a radio interview with HOT 107.9 and said the following:
Banks and Buck have albums coming out near to mines, you know what I'm saying? So I'm telling them if they trying to sell some records this time, then they better fly to the "A" and get to, you know, doing something, you know? Y'all make up a dance to the song, you know what I'm saying? It's all good. And you know, just to say it again man, I'M NOT DISSING THE "A"![2]
In the song, The Game mentions the following rappers, in order, and some repeated: Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Eazy-E, Young Jeezy, Lil Jon, The Notorious BIG, Ice Cube, Nas and 2Pac.
This song is also included in the video game Def Jam: Icon for the PlayStation 3 Xbox 360. The Game appears in the video game as a playable character and provides his own voice and likeness. It is 1 of 2 songs by The Game that he can fight to.[3]
Music video
editThe Game made a music video for the song, which debuted on BET on August 22, 2006.[4] The video features revised lyrics in order to accommodate television decency standards. There are appearances in the video by Juice, Ya Boy, Nu Jerzey Devil, DJ Skee, Andrew Reid, Wada Blood, Young JR, Mickey Jarrett Jr and Tyrese.
Remixes
editAn official remix was released on November 7, 2006. It features 25 hip-hop artists including The Game. They rap in this order:
- Jim Jones, Snoop Dogg, Nas, T.I., The Game, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, N.O.R.E., Jadakiss, Styles P, Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross, Twista, Tha Dogg Pound (Kurupt & Daz Dillinger), WC, E-40, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Young Dro, Clipse (Pusha T & No Malice), Ja Rule. The song begins with "Dre, I See More Dead People". It is 11 minutes and 50 seconds long.[5]
The Game also developed 3 regional remixes. They are:
- One Blood Dirty South Remix: Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Twista, T.I., Chamillionaire, Pitbull, Slim Thug, Young Dro, & Bun B (Begins with "Dre, I'm in the South") The Game only says "Remix" in the chorus.
- One Blood West Coast Remix: Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, WC, E-40, Crooked I, & Glasses Malone (Begins song with "Dre, I see Gangbangers") The Game has a new verse for this version.
- One Blood East Coast Remix: Jim Jones, Fabolous, Clipse, Juelz Santana (extended verse), Nas, Jadakiss, Styles P, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E. & Ja Rule (Begins with "Dre, I saved hip-hop") The Game only says "Remix" in the chorus.
All these remixes are available at Mick Boogies - The Dope Game 2.
N.O.R.E. extended his verse with a freestyle in the mixtape "Cocaine On Steroids". Lil Keke has made a freestyle to this song.
Others remixes:
- The Game Feat. Cam'ron.
- The Game Feat. Red Cafe, Hell Rell and JR Writer.
- The Game Feat. Mitchy Slick.
Track listing
editCD single
edit- "It's Okay"
- "Dreams"
12-inch vinyl
editA-side
edit- "It's Okay" (Album version)
B-side
edit- "Dreams" (Album version)
- "It's Okay" (Instrumental)
Charts
edit| Chart (2006–07) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[6] | 68 |
| Australian Urban (ARIA)[7] | 12 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] | 68 |
| European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[9] | 49 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[10] | 9 |
| Germany (Media Control AG)[11] | 41 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[12] | 16 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] | 25 |
| Scotland (OCC)[14] | 29 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[15] | 26 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[16] | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[17] | 71 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 33 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[19] | 16 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] | 34 |
References
edit- ^ ""Jimmy Rosemond Talks 50, Czar and Game's Album"". Archived from the original on November 15, 2010.
- ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved March 26, 2014.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ Def Jam: Icon#Complete Soundtrack
- ^ "Mixtape Monday". MTV. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006.
- ^ "50. The Game "One Blood (Remix)" (2006) — The Best Rap Remixes Since 2000". Complex Networks. July 24, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 872 (Week Commencing 20th November 2006)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ "Issue 874" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ "The Game feat. Junior Reid – It's Okay (One Blood)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "The Game – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for The Game. [dead link]
- ^ "The Game feat. Junior Reid: It's Okay (One Blood)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "The Game feat Junior Reid, It's Okay (One Blood)". charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved August 28, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 44, 2006". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "The Game feat. Junior Reid – It's Okay (One Blood)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 03, 2011.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ "The Game Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "The Game Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "The Game Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "The Game Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2022.