The original production for "Hate It or Love It" first surfaced on a compilation CD, put together by Cool & Dre (who had been in contact with The Game since early 2002), and released unofficially to the local rap community. After G-Unit Records producer Sha Money XL received a copy of this disc, he requested a meeting with the duo, feeling that the song had much potential to be a hit. After Dr. Dre heard the original production, he made sonic alterations and, according to Aftermath Entertainment A&R Mike Lynn, "made it sound like a record", a process he carried out on all of the other tracks on "The Documentary". When Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine later requested to hear the original production, he admitted could not tell the difference. Cool & Dre later praised the quality of Dr. Dre's mix, stating that "Dre brought it to life... a mixer is what I think is his best quality... his ear for instrument placement is amazing".