The R.E.D. Album is the fourth studio album by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game, which was released on August 23, 2011 through DGC Records and Interscope Records after almost two years of delays since late 2009 and being rescheduled a total of 10 times. Before the albums official release and unlike the several previous given release dates, Game confirmed that the new release date of August 23, 2011 given would be permanent for good, The R.E.D. Album was also thought to be released under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and that it would mark Game's return to Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, the two record labels that released his debut album, The Documentary, before a feud with former fellow G-Unit labelmate 50 Cent caused him to release his two following albums, 2006's Doctor's Advocate and 2008's LAX, on Geffen Records, but this was proved untrue.
Recording sessions for the album took place between early 2009 and late 2011 at the Ameraycan Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California, at the Encore Recording Studios in Burbank, California and at the Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. According to Game, Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams and Mars (of production group 1500 or Nothin') would be executive producer's on the album. It was also stated that Game worked with a wide range of record producers during the albums recording sessions, those including Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, DJ Khalil, DJ Premier, Don Cannon, Hit-Boy, Maestro, StreetRunner, The Futuristics as well as Bangladesh, DJ Quik, Drumma Boy, Hi-Tek, Jim Jonsin, Jeff Bhasker, Just Blaze, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, J. R. Rotem, Kanye West, Lex Luger, Nottz, No I.D., Nottz, Polow da Don, Ryan Leslie, RZA, Scoop DeVille, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, will.i.am and many others that did not make the final cut.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 98,000 copies in its first week, a major fall from his previous three released album sales. It has produced two singles, the controversial and least success "Red Nation" and "Pot of Gold", which attained some Billboard and worldwide chart success. Upon its release, The R.E.D. Album received generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who commended his passionate performance on the album and ear for production.