How We Do
by The Game (featuring 50 Cent)

Album: The Documentary (2004)
Charted: 5 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Have you ever wondered how the Game do? Well, on this track, he lays it all out for you in detail. Chevy Impalas, blunts, Air Force Ones, rum, and pistol grip pumps – that's how the Game do. "How We Do" is a party song, meant to be fun, filled with amusing flexing. The beat made it very popular in dance clubs in the mid-2000s.
  • "How We Do" evolved from an instrumental track labeled "Fresh '83." The Game found it on one of Dr. Dre's digital files. Dre wasn't a fan of the track, but The Game saw something in it and wrote lyrics to go with the music.

    Dre brought in 50 Cent to create the chorus. 50 was on fire at that time, riding the success of his own debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003). 50 decided he wanted to be on the track and rewrote the song's second verse; he's featured on the track and is in the music video.
  • "How We Do" was the second single released from The Game's debut album, The Documentary. The song was an international hit, cracking the Top 10 in several European countries and also in the United States. It remained on the Hot 100 for 28 consecutive weeks. It was the Game's first Top 10 single.

    "How We Do" was still selling well when The Game and 50 Cent released the follow-up track, "Hate It Or Love It," which was an even bigger hit.
  • The Documentary was a huge album for both The Game and the West Coast hip-hop scene, which had been fading from relevance. It sold 586,000 copies in its opening week alone and eventually reached Double-Platinum status to become the year's 10th-best selling record in America.
  • Dr. Dre produced the song with Mike Elizondo, whose other clients include Fiona Apple and Switchfoot. Dre also got help from Elizondo on 50 Cent's "In Da Club."
  • Hype Williams directed the music video, which shows scenes of Los Angeles at night while The Game and 50 Cent cruise around in impressive cars. Dr. Dre, Olivia, Michael K. Williams, and DJ Quik all make cameo appearances.
  • The single's B-side includes various versions of "How We Do," including an instrumental and an a cappella track.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.