OKE: Operation Kill Everything

Background

In December 2012, The Game released Jesus Piece, the final album on his contract with Interscope Records. Just before its release he founded Rolex Records with Stat Quo, which was later renamed The Firm. On May 7, 2013, The Game announced a new mixtape Operation Kill Everything was almost finished recording. Later that same day, The Game released a remix to Kendrick Lamar's "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe", which was originally thought to be the first song from the album. Then on July 16, 2013, he released remixes to Migos' "Versace" and TeeFlii's "This D".

On October 7, 2013, The Game released the cover artwork to the mixtape, the title which now just shortened to OKE. He also revealed it would be released the following day. On October 8, 2013, The Game announced that he would premiere OKE later that night on DJ Skee's SKEE TV on AXS TV. The mixtape featured guest appearances by Too Short, Schoolboy Q, Diddy, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Problem, Nipsey Hussle, Juicy J, Young Jeezy, Stat Quo, Skeme, Elijah Blake, Shontelle, Clyde Carson, Joe Moses, Stacy Barthe, Fred the Godson, Sam Hook, K. Roosevelt and Ty$. Production on the mixtape was handled by Cardiak, DJ Mustard, SAP, and Cool & Dre among others.

Two days after its free release, The Game released a deluxe edition of OKE to iTunes, featuring two bonus tracks, including "Hollywood" a song with Scarface. The deluxe edition is free of DJ drops and tags, and includes a digital booklet. In the song, The Game takes shot at former G-Unit cohort 50 Cent saying, "Hub City thugs wit me, buck 50/Reunite with G-Unit, bitch fuck 50."

Critical reception

OKE was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Jake Rohn of BET gave the mixtape a perfect score, saying "OKE is one of his best efforts, album or mixtape. While Game's lyrics are still laced with the angst of feeling slept on, the imposing rhymer shows more willingness to step ever-so-slightly outside his comfort zone, showcasing different tempos and rocking different sounding beats. Game may not be rollin' with Dre anymore, but he shows that he can still drop a classic." Louis Johnson of The Badger Herald also gave the mixtape a perfect score, saying "Overall, OKE combines refreshing instrumentals with classic Game: taking shots at anyone and everyone yet staying original and proactive in his lyrical content. This may be his most focused piece of work since his debut album, The Documentary. Game truly stepped up to the plate this time." Omar Burgress of HipHopDX deemed the mixtape "EP-worthy" saying, "On OKE: Operation Kill Everything, Game is comfortable in his own skin, mixing ratchet material with deeply personal songs all while accommodating his guests."

XXL gave the mixtape a more mixed review saying, "There’s a duality that plays out over the course of the tape that very accurately showcases two extraordinarily different sides of the current West Coast scene. On the one hand, you have the super soulful, rich production more representative of acts like Jake One, THC, Scoop DeVille, DJ Dahi, and The Futuristiks, and on the other hand you have what producer DJ Mustard has affectionately coined “ratchet music.” Both make up solid chunks of the project, but only one finds Game truly in his element. The smooth soul serves as a perfect juxtaposition with Game’s gruff voice and aggressive content, and he flourishes in these instances. But just as you start to settle in, the entire tone of the project changes, and it detracts from the fluidity and the aesthetic value. Experimentation is fine, but sometimes it’s better to stick to your niche."

Commercial performance

The deluxe edition version of the mixtape debuted at number 89 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 5,000 copies in the United States.