View source for Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf
| type       = Compilation
| artist     = [[The Game (rapper)|the Game]]
| cover      = Game Blood Moon Year of the Wolf.jpg
| border     = yes
| alt        =
| released   = {{start date|2014|10|14}}
| recorded   = 2013–14
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| length     = 60:05
| label      = {{flatlist|
* [[The Game (rapper)#Blood Money Entertainment|Blood Money]]
* [[eOne Music|eOne]]
}}
| producer   = {{flatlist|
* The Game
* [[Wack 100|Cash Jones]]
* [[Stat Quo]]
* [[Boi-1da]]
* Cozmo
* Duke Dinero
* [[Cool & Dre]]
* [[Isabella Summers]]
* Jereme Jay
* Jordan Mosley
* Dupri
* [[Matthew Burnett]]
* The Mekanics
* [[Nottz]]
* [[OZ (record producer)|OZ]]
* Ocean & Nova
* Rey Reel
* [[Sap (producer)|Sap]]
* SRKN
* Yung Ladd
}}
| prev_title = [[Jesus Piece (album)|Jesus Piece]]
| prev_year  = 2012
| next_title = [[The Documentary 2]]
| next_year  = 2015
| misc       = {{Singles
| name        = Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf
| type        = compilation
| single1     = Bigger Than Me
| single1date = June 16, 2014
| single2     = [[Or Nah (The Game song)|Or Nah]]
| single2date = July 1, 2014
}}
}}
'''''Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf''''' is the second [[compilation album]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphop-n-more.com/2014/06/the-game-confirms-blood-money-is-only-a-compilation-album-hasnt-signed-new-deal-yet/|title=The Game Confirms 'Blood Money' Is Only A Compilation Album; Hasn't Signed New Deal Yet|date=June 21, 2014|publisher=HipHop-N-More|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426100853/http://hiphop-n-more.com/2014/06/the-game-confirms-blood-money-is-only-a-compilation-album-hasnt-signed-new-deal-yet/|archive-date=April 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1963516/game-blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf/|title=These 4 Tracks From Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf Prove That Game Is Still West Coast Royalty|last=Fleischer|first=Adam|date=October 14, 2014|access-date=June 1, 2016|publisher=MTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525054826/http://www.mtv.com/news/1963516/game-blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf/|archive-date=May 25, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> by American rapper [[The Game (rapper)|the Game]]. It was released on October 14, 2014, by [[The Game (rapper)#Blood Money Entertainment|Blood Money Entertainment]] and [[eOne Music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29118/title.game-year-of-the-wolf-release-date-tracklist-|title=Game "Year Of The Wolf" Release Date, Tracklist, Cover Art|work=HipHopDX|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906045010/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29118/title.game-year-of-the-wolf-release-date-tracklist-|archive-date=September 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was supported by two singles: "Bigger Than Me" and "[[Or Nah (The Game song)|Or Nah]]". Upon its release, ''Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf'' received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 7 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 33,000 copies in its first week of release.
==Background==
In December 2012, the Game founded a new record label, Rolex Records, along with a fellow American rapper [[Stat Quo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/12/game-stat-quo-launching-new-record-label/ |title=Game, Stat Quo Launching New Record Label – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230643/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/12/game-stat-quo-launching-new-record-label/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following its founding, he bought his entire team at the record label [[Rolex watch]]es. After a six-month legal battle with [[Rolex]], he was forced to change the name and logo of the record label. He officially would then change the name of the label to The Firm,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/game-loses-legal-battle-over-rolex-records-name-renames-label/ |title=Game Loses Legal Battle Over 'Rolex Records' Name, Renames Label – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=July 27, 2013 |access-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015235/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/07/game-loses-legal-battle-over-rolex-records-name-renames-label/ |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> which then became Blood Money Entertainment.<ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29360/title.game-addresses-50-cent-g-unit-reunion-lil-durk-beef|title=Game Addresses 50 Cent, G-Unit Reunion & Lil Durk Beef|work=HipHopDX|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902080252/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29360/title.game-addresses-50-cent-g-unit-reunion-lil-durk-beef|archive-date=September 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The label signed West Coast rappers [[Skeme]] and Dubb as its first two artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/07/game-g-unit-reunion/|title=Game Signs Skeme And Dubb To Blood Money Entertainment|work=XXL|access-date=October 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015010615/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/07/game-g-unit-reunion/|archive-date=October 15, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Promotion==
On June 16, 2014, the Game released the album's first single "Bigger than Me".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bigger-than-me-single/id887564235|title=iTunes – Music – Bigger Than Me – Single by Game|work=iTunes|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829052536/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bigger-than-me-single/id887564235|archive-date=August 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Listen to The Game Diss Rap's 'New Generation,' Frank Ocean on 'Bigger Than Me'|url=http://radio.com/2014/06/16/listen-the-game-diss-raps-new-generation-frank-ocean-bigger-than-me/|publisher=Radio.com|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617031444/http://radio.com/2014/06/16/listen-the-game-diss-raps-new-generation-frank-ocean-bigger-than-me/|archive-date=June 17, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The song heavily samples rock group [[Poliça]]'s 2013 single "Warrior Lord". The second single off of ''Year of the Wolf'', titled "[[Or Nah (The Game song)|Or Nah]]" was released on July 1, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/or-nah-feat.-too-$hort-problem/id894155076|title=iTunes – Music – Or Nah (feat. Too $hort, Problem, AV & Eric Bellinger) – Single by Game|work=iTunes|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027034309/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/or-nah-feat.-too-$hort-problem/id894155076|archive-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29118/title.the-game-changes-album-name-to-year-of-the-wolf-from-blood-money-la-familia-|title=Game "Year Of The Wolf" Release Date, Tracklist, Cover Art|work=HipHopDX|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717043006/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29118/title.the-game-changes-album-name-to-year-of-the-wolf-from-blood-money-la-familia-|archive-date=July 17, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was originally scheduled to be released on September 16, 2014 but was pushed back a month for last minute touches and changes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphop-n-more.com/2014/08/the-game-pushes-back-year-of-the-wolf-announces-the-documentary-2-release-date/|title=The Game Pushes Back 'Year Of The Wolf'; Announces 'The Documentary 2′ Release Date|author=Navjosh|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903221443/http://hiphop-n-more.com/2014/08/the-game-pushes-back-year-of-the-wolf-announces-the-documentary-2-release-date/|archive-date=September 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Game held a contest in which the fans could design the album cover. He found it so difficult to pick a cover that he pushed back the winners announcement twice. Finally, on September 4, 2014 he announced that Instagram user "xoramos661" had made the cover he would use for the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/sic18ZGosK/?modal=true|title=Instagram|access-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102547/https://www.instagram.com/p/sic18ZGosK/?modal=true|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Critical response==
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf-best-buy-exclusive-mw0002726781|title=Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf – Game – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic|author=David Jeffries|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016193341/http://www.allmusic.com/album/blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf-best-buy-exclusive-mw0002726781|archive-date=October 16, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2 = [[HipHopDX]]
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="HHDX">{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2363/title.game-year-of-the-wolf|title=Game|author=HipHopDX|work=HipHopDX|access-date=October 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024052708/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2363/title.game-year-of-the-wolf|archive-date=October 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''
| rev3Score = 4/5 (XL)<ref name="XXL">{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/10/the-game-blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf-album-review/|title=The Game Sounds Hungrier Than Ever On His Album 'Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf' – XXL|work=XXL|access-date=October 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017233616/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/10/the-game-blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf-album-review/|archive-date=October 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
''Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf'' received mixed reviews from [[music criticism|music critic]]s. David Jeffries of [[AllMusic]] said, "More a misrepresentation than a failure, ''Blood Moon'' is a loose label comp that would do fine living in the forgiving lands of stopgap and second tier. Labeled as a Game album proper, it's a serious dip."<ref name="AllMusic"/> Kellan Miller of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' stated, "With a heavy heart and head against the backdrop of soulful, funereal sounding instrumentals, The Game puts together two of the deepest, enduring cuts in his entire catalog." However, he characterizes much of the album as "filler".<ref name="XXL"/> Dean Mayorga of [[HipHopDX]] said, "The album ultimately fails in establishing a balance and plunges into unfocused aggression."<ref name="HHDX"/>
==Commercial performance==
The album debuted at number seven on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with sales of 33,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31139/title.hip-hop-album-sales-game-hoodie-allen-chris-brown |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Game, Hoodie Allen, Chris Brown |publisher=HipHop DX |date=October 11, 2014 |access-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023190941/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31139/title.hip-hop-album-sales-game-hoodie-allen-chris-brown |archive-date=October 23, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In its second week, the album dropped to number 31 on the chart, selling 9,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31222/title.hip-hop-album-sales-t-i-logic-game |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: T.I., Logic, Game |publisher=HipHop DX |date=October 29, 2014 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101141432/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31222/title.hip-hop-album-sales-t-i-logic-game |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album has sold 80,000 copies as of October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151017185934/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date= October 17, 2015 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures }}</ref>
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| extra_column    = Producer(s)
| title1          = Bigger Than Me
| writer1         =
| extra1          = Jordan Mosley
| length1         = 5:31
| title2          = F.U.N.
| writer2         =
| extra2          = [[Matthew Burnett]]
| length2         = 3:05
| title3          = Really
| note3           = featuring [[Yo Gotti]], [[2 Chainz]], [[Soulja Boy]], and [[T.I.]]
| writer3         =
| extra3          = {{hlist|The Mekanics|[[OZ (record producer)|OZ]]}}
| length3         = 5:27
| note4           = featuring [[Lil Wayne]] and [[Chris Brown]]
| writer4         =
| extra4          = Ocean & Nova
| length4         = 3:36
| title5          = On One
| note5           = featuring King Marie and [[Ty Dolla Sign]]
| writer5         =
| extra5          = [[Isabella Summers]]
| length5         = 3:14
| title6          = Married to the Game
| note6           = featuring [[French Montana]], Dubb, and Sam Hook
| writer6         =
| extra6          = [[Boi-1da]]
| length6         = 4:40
| title7          = The Purge
| note7           = featuring [[Stacy Barthe]]
| writer7         =
| extra7          = Cozmo
| length7         = 5:14
| title8          = Trouble On My Mind
| note8           = performed by Dubb and Jake&Papa
| writer8         =
| extra8          = {{hlist|[[Wack 100|Cash Jones]]|[[Stat Quo]]|SRKN}}
| length8         = 2:58
| title9          = Cellphone
| note9           = featuring Dubb
| writer9         =
| extra9          = The Mekanics
| length9         = 3:59
| title10         = Best Head Ever
| note10          = featuring [[Tyga]] and [[Eric Bellinger]]
| writer10        =
| extra10         = Dupri
| length10        = 3:39
| title11         = [[Or Nah (The Game song)|Or Nah]]
| note11          = featuring [[Too Short]], [[Problem (rapper)|Problem]], AV, and Eric Bellinger
| writer11        =
| extra11         = [[Cool & Dre|Dre]]
| length11        = 4:14
| title12         = Take That
| note12          = performed by Tyga and Pharaoh Prophet
| writer12        =
| extra12         = Jereme Jay
| length12        = 3:04
| title13         = Food For My Stomach
| note13          = performed by Dubb and [[Skeme]]
| writer13        =
| extra13         = Duke Dinero
| length13        = 4:16
| title14         = Hit Em Hard
| note14          = featuring [[Bobby Shmurda]], [[Freddie Gibbs]], and Skeme
| writer14        =
| extra14         = Amadeus
| length14        = 4:41
| title15         = Black on Black
| note15          = featuring [[Young Jeezy]] and [[Kevin Gates]]
| writer15        =
| extra15         = {{hlist|The MeKanics|Yung Ladd}}
| length15        = 5:11
| total_length =
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
| extra_column    = Producer(s)
| title16         = Mad Flows
| note16          = performed by Skeme
| writer16        =
| extra16         = Rey Reel
| length16        = 3:28
| title17         = Bloody Moon
| note17          = featuring Shateish
| writer17        =
| extra17         = [[Nottz]]
| length17        = 3:08
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = [[iTunes Store]] deluxe edition bonus track
| extra_column    = Producer(s)
| title18         = I Just Wanna Be
| note18          = featuring Stat Quo, [[Sap (producer)|Sap]], and King Marie
| writer18        =
| extra18         = Sap
| length18        = 4:24
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = [[Best Buy]] deluxe edition bonus track<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/blood-moon-year-of-the-wolf-pa-cd/8610092.p;jsessionid=951EA9944FDF4AD7E58E99921969972F.bbolsp-app02-112?id=3289490&skuId=8610092&st=blood%20moon%20year%20of%20the%20wolf&lp=1&cp=1|title=Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf PA – CD – Best Buy|work=Best Buy|access-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>
| extra_column    = Producer(s)
| title17         = Be Nobody Else
| note17          = featuring AV, Stacy Barthe, and Uiie
| writer17        =
| extra17         = Sap
| length17        = 5:08
}}
==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (2014)
! scope="col" | Peak<br /> position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|27|artist=The Game|album=Blood Moon - Year Of The Wolf|accessdate=May 16, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|36|artist=The Game|album=Blood Moon - Year Of The Wolf|accessdate=May 16, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|8|artist=The Game|accessdate=October 23, 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|id=257913|47|artist=The Game|album=Blood Moon - Year Of The Wolf|accessdate=August 9, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|57|date=20141019|accessdate=August 9, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|36|artist=The Game|album=Blood Moon - Year Of The Wolf|accessdate=May 16, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|60|date=20141019|accessdate=August 9, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|UKDigital|24|date=20141019|accessdate=August 9, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|UKIndependent|10|date=20141019|accessdate=August 9, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|UKR&B|5|date=20141019|rowheader=true|access-date=August 9, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|7|artist=The Game|accessdate=August 9, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardIndependent|2|artist=The Game|accessdate=October 23, 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=The Game|accessdate=October 23, 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (2014)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref>
| 59
|}
{{col-end}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{The Game (rapper)}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2014 albums]]
[[Category:The Game (rapper) albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Boi-1da]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Sap (producer)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Cozmo]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Nottz]]