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The Game (born Jayceon Terell Taylor on November 27, 1979 in Los Angeles, California), is an American rapper signed to Geffen Records. The Game is considered by many to be a driving force in bringing back the West Coast hip hop scene and competing with many of his East Coast counterparts.

Biography

The Game grew up in Compton during his earlier life and lived in a primarily Crip neighborhood known as Santana Blocc. The rapper would eventually became a member of the Cedar Block Piru Bloods. The rapper's nickname was coined by his grandmother, who said that he was always "Game" for anything. His mother and father were both affiliated with Crip gangs. After his older sister accused his father of sexual molestation his family was split up and The Game lived with a foster family for eight years in Carson, a suburb of Los Angeles, until he was reunited with his mother when he was 13.

The Game had a short stint at Washington State University on a basketball scholarship before being kicked out because of drug allegations, it was then that he started fully embracing street life and turning towards selling drugs. The Game was shot at five times (But only hit twice) after a failed drug deal in 2001. This attack put him in a three day coma. While recovering in the hospital, he decided to pursue a career in the rap industry. The Game stated that he studied various classic rap albums in order to develop a good strategy to become the greatest rapper alive. With help from his older brother "Big Fase 100" they founded The Black Wall Street Records and after being signed independently to JT the Bigga Figga's Get Low Recordz signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.

The Game was originally signed as an artist on Aftermath Entertainment, but Interscope Records CEO Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre decided to have The Game also work with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The arrangement was to help build a growing buzz around The Game which would also fuel interest in G-Unit. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent were executive producers on The Game's debut album, The Documentary. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard music charts and spawned the hit singles "How We Do", "Hate It or Love It" and "Dreams".

The original title of the album was Nigga Wit' An Attitude Volume 1, as can be seen in the lyrics to Dreams, but an injunction filed at the request of Eazy-E's widow prevented him from using N.W.A.'s name in the album title.

The rapper is currently working on his sophomore album "The Doctor's Advocate" which is titled after his mentor, Dr. Dre.

Controversy

The Game has became involved with feuds with rappers, as well as a target for the police surveillance. The rapper has previously had rivalries with Suge Knight of Death Row Records, Joe Budden, Yukmouth, as well as Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, and the Young Gunz of Roc-A-Fella Records. The most recent rivalry is with 50 Cent and G-Unit.

Joe Budden

The origin of the feud began when 50 Cent criticized Joe Budden's album for "lacking street credibility." Joe Budden took offense and released various insults directed at G-Unit. The Game did a freestyle for DJ Clue, and then Joe Budden used the end of the freestyle without notifying The Game. While on the end, Joe Budden took shots at G-Unit. In defense, The Game made several records against Joe Budden, notoriously the track "Buddens." The Game threatened Joe Budden and supposedly flew to New York to confront him. Joe Budden mocked The Game's appearance on the dating game show "Change of Heart". The Game defended his appearance on the show. Later, at a party in New York, the rappers mutually announced their intention to stop making hostile records about each other, but The Game has subsequently suggested in songs and videos that he won the feud.

Yukmouth

Yukmouth first met The Game at a club stating he had a feud with 50 Cent. At the time Yukmouth was engaged in a fued with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The Game released a diss track aimed at the rapper over the "I Got 5 On It" beat, a song which Yukmouth recorded when he was a part of The Luniz. Yukmouth responded with a track that mocked The Game's appearance on Change of Heart. The two later tried to bury the hatchet, due to a personal friend and even recorded a song together, named "Peace". However the beef continued afterworth, since The Game dissed Yukmouth on the 'Peace' song (they recorded their verses seperately). Since then, Yukmouth responded by releasing a free style music video over Fabolous' "Breathe" single in which it parodied The Game. In the video there is a look-a-like of the rapper getting robbed and beaten up. Yukmouth claimed on the song that The Game had a tongue ring and was slapped by mogul Suge Knight. Since the West Coast Peace Conference both rappers ended the feud.

Death Row

Dr. Dre's old nemesis Suge Knight has an ongoing feud with The Game. Yukmouth claimed that The Game had been slapped by Suge Knight. The Game responded on his website, saying that if Suge Knight had ever touched him, he would be "six feet under". After the 2005 BET Awards, associates of Death Row had their invitations to a party hosted by Ciara rescinded. Supposedly, a member of Death Row had tried to steal The Game's chain. The Game stated on his Black Wall Street web site that he dislikes Suge Knight because of "the lives he has endangered." In Miami for the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Suge Knight was shot and wounded at Kanye West's party by an unknown gunman. The Game vigorously denied involvement in the shooting, but the incident renewed efforts to pacify hip hop feuds and The Game has consequently been discouraged from attending certain events in hopes of averting retaliation.

Previously The Game and various representatives of California's rap cliques formed a West Coast "peace treaty" to end many rivalries between various West Coast rappers. This included a feud between Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight that began when they left Death Row Records. Although none of these individuals attended the discussions, The Game represented Dr. Dre and Harvey represented Suge Knight.

Roc-A-Fella Records

This feud grew out of an earlier rivalry with Memphis Bleek over the name of his label. The label was similar to the one to which The Game had been previously signed. On the single "Westside Story," The Game raps that he "don't do button-up shirts or drive-ride in Maybachs," many believed that this was a shot at Jay-Z. Later Jay-Z along with Memphis Bleek and the Young Gunz would appear on Hot 97 to disccuss the feud. Jay-Z performed a freestyle called "Dear Summer". In his freestyle he repeatedly used the word "game". Many hip-hop fans believed Jay-Z was calling out The Game. The Game apparently felt that the rapper was discrediting him and made several remarks directed at Roc-A-Fella Records.

In an interview with Ed Lover and Monie Love, The Game said the Maybach line on "Westside Story" was actually a diss at Ja Rule, he also said he has a lot of respect for Jay-Z and would never take shots at a legend. Jay-Z later insisted that "game" references were just about the rap game itself, not the rapper. The Game still addresses Memphis Bleek and the Young Gunz on songs. The Game avoids dissing Kanye West and other associated with Roc-A-Fella.

There were rumors that Jay-Z was planning on "declaring war" on The Game and others at a concert. Despite the feud, Jay-Z instead used the opportunity to make peace with many of his rivals.

50 Cent and G-Unit

The Game is currently involved in a feud with 50 cent. Fans mostly believed that the rapper was bonding with 50 Cent at the time of The Documentary's release. The Game's major debut album was surrounded by controversy. Soon after its release, 50 Cent felt that the rapper was disloyal for saying he wanted to work with artists with whom G-Unit were feuding, and he formally dismissed the rapper.

50 Cent also claimed that he was not getting his proper credit for the creation of the album. During that dispute, a member of The Game's entourage was shot after a confrontation at Hot 97. After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and The Game decided to hold a press conference to announce their reconciliation. Many fans had mixed feelings as to whether the rappers created a publicity stunt designed to boost the sales of the two albums the pair had just released.

Nevertheless, even after the situation had apparently deflated, 50 Cent and G-Unit continued to feud with The Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claiming that without their support, he will not score a hit from his second album. The Game responded during a performance at the Summer Jam and launched a boycott called "G-Unot".

After the performance at Summer Jam, The Game responded with "300 Bars and Runnin'", a hard hitting diss going at G-Unit as well as members of Roc-A-Fella Records. 50 Cent had mixed feelings about the situations and placed blame on Dr. Dre for his slow response to stop the feud. The Game continued his attacks at G-Unit with a DVD entitled Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin'. 50 Cent responded through his "Piggy Bank" music video, which features The Game as a Mr. Potato Head doll and parodies many other rivals. Spider Loc, one of the newest member of G-Unit, began dissing The Game on several mixtapes. The Game responded with "240 Bars (Spider Joke)", a song going after Spider Loc, but also goes after Tony Yayo and rap group M.O.P.

The Game had released images depicting the rap group in many parodies on some of his previous mixtapes. In reponse, G-Unit published a mixtape cover with the rapper's head on the body of an exotic dancer. Although both rappers were once signed to the same label, the feud has lead to many active decisions in order to completely resolve the matter.

Other controversies

Lil Eazy-E, an up-and-coming rapper who is a son of Eazy-E is also in a feud with The Game. The two used to be close associates and even recorded a track that was left off of The Documentary. Lil' Eazy-E has since directed numerous disses targeting the rapper and expressed is anger over what he felt was The Game misusing his father's name. The Game responded by claiming that Lil' Eazy-E is trying to establish himself off of the success he had made since releasing The Documentary. However, The Game states on the same track that he would rather not feud with Lil Eazy-E, due to the deep respect he feels for his father. The Game responded on "120 Bars" where he claimed that Lil Eazy-E doesn't write his own lyrics.

The Game stated on "Don't Need Your Love" his dislike for The Source, and he also recorded a scathing freestyle rap responding to the long-standing feud between Benzino and Eminem taking his labelmate's side. Benzino has replied on the song "Look Into My Eyes" his reply to Eminem's "Toy Soldiers". The Source believes that Dr. Dre and 50 Cent encouraged the rapper to feud with the magazine.

The Game has also had a falling out with his manager and half-brother Big Fase 100. The rapper claims that Big Fase 100 had extorted him out of over $1.5 million, and felt that his influence was holding him back. Later Big Fase in interviews attacks The Game's street credibility, claiming that The Game being a "certified gangsta", is fabricated. The manager went on to claim that the supposed gangster life is based on his own life, and blamed selfishness on The Game's part as the main reason of their falling out.

While on tour

In May 2005, The Game and Snoop Dogg performed at Auburn, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, and a supposed fan came onstage and approached Snoop Dogg, setting off a brawl between the fan and 12 bodyguards. The incident was captured on a home video that appears to show the fan leaning his arm on Snoop Dogg's shoulder during a performance of the song "Gin and Juice." The bodyguards respond by wrestling the man to the floor and repeatedly punching and kicking the fan. Some members of the audience claim that Snoop Dogg invited fans onstage to perform with him, and there are other reports that The Game punched or kicked the fan during the incident. Representatives of the venue have defended the performers' bodyguards, stating that the safety of the performers is always a high priority and that fans are not permitted on stage.

In North Carolina, The Game was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. At one point, police said, his companions were sprayed with pepper spray when they surrounded officers in a threatening manner. The Greensboro police had warned him to not videotape at a mall. It was also believed that the rapper had behaved disruptively and used foul language. The Game was videotaping shoppers and it caused concern for the police. Mall security officers said the rapper was wearing a full-face Halloween mask and cursing loudly, and refused to leave when asked. When police arrived, The Game continued to act up and was arrested, a police statement said. The Game claimed that officers overreacted. A video has been linked over the internet detailing the full event. The Game claims to have been giving a young girl an autograph when he was pepper sprayed by the mall security.

Life after G-Unit

Many of The Game's fans felt that the diss song entitled "300 Bars and Runnin'" was the pivotal rebuttal that destroyed the credibility of 50 Cent and G-Unit. While it addresses his labelmates, The Game made clear that his attacks are also meant for Memphis Bleek, Benzino, and the Young Gunz. The Game chose to distance himself from addressing Jay-Z and Dr. Dre as well as others on this single. Although it's unclear whether or not the feud is squashed, as of today The Game still feuds with various G-Unit and Roc-A-Fella artists. The song is considered a first for it being the only song by far to last almost 15 minutes, without any chorus or hooks, and contains various instrumentals from many of hip-hop's elite MC's. The fans consider this single a major success to the rapper's career.

The Game then released a mixtape and DVD titled "Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin", and is said to be the last of the "beef" between him and G-Unit. The single "120 Bars" and the DVD discloses that the song would be the end of the feud between him and his rivals. The "Stop Snitchin', Stop Lyin'" DVD contains controversial images and is proposed to be an insider's look at what occurred after being dropped from G-Unit including the beginnings of the "G-Unot" movement. It was finally released in January 2006 after a few set backs.

The Los Angeles Times reported that The Game is now a resident of Glendale, California after having purchased a home in the Kenneth Village neighborhood.

The Game announced that he was engaged to actress/model Valeisha Butterfield, the daughter of U.S. Congressman G. K. Butterfield. The couple were set to marry in March of 2007, but the engagement has since been called off.

The Game left Aftermath Entertainment to complete a contract deal in order to end his contractual obligations with G-Unit. He is currently signed to Geffen Records which is an imprint of Interscope. He is also working on getting his Black Wall Street label a distribution deal.

Trivia

• The Game has one child, a son named Harlem Caron Taylor. Baron Davis is The Game's close/good friend, and Harlem's godfather.
• The Game was chosen to play and has bought a large selection of shares for the now defunct Inglewood Cobras, an ABA franchise team.
• The Game has multiple tattoos on his body including homages to Eazy-E and N.W.A, the logo of The Black Wall Street, a portrait of 2Pac as an angel and G-Unot due to his feud with 50 Cent and G-Unit.
• The Game is the voice of B-Dup, a character featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
• The Game has partnered with 310 Motoring to create his own shoe called The Hurricanes. A portion of the proceeds of the shoe are donated to the victims of Katrina.
• He is of African American, Spanish, and Native American descent.
• The Game won the 2006 ASCAP Pop Music Awards honoring the most performed songs in the ASCAP repertory for the 2005 survey year. The Game won for "How We Do" and "Hate It or Love It".
• The Game has been punked by Ashton Kutcher on the show Punk'd.
• Dr. Dre Will participate On The Doctors Advocate
• The Games Second Album is called The Doctors Advocate Not The Devils Advocate to clear up the rumors

Discography

Main article: The Game discography

Albums

Album cover	Album information
	The Documentary Released: January 18, 2005 Label: Aftermath/G-Unit/Interscope Chart positions: #1 U.S., #7 UK, #42 Aus Last RIAA certification: 4x Platinum Singles: "How We Do", "Hate It or Love It", "Dreams", "Put You on the Game"
	The Doctor's Advocate Release: November 7, 2006 Label: Black Wall Street/Geffen/Interscope/Czar Chart positions: Last RIAA certification: Singles: "It's Okay (One Blood)"

Singles

See also

• Geffen Records
• The Black Wall Street Records
• The Game discography
• West Coast hip hop

References

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27. Chansanchai, Athima and Robert L. Jamieson Jr.'Loyal fan' claims he was beaten onstage at Snoop Dogg concert. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 31 2006. Retrieved August 11 2006.
28. ^ http://ca.askmen.com/gossip/the-game/the-game-halloween-arrest.html URL accessed on August 8, 2006
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31. http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/UndertheDome/062706.html URL accessed on August 24, 2006
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External links

• Official Website
• MySpace Profile
• The Black Wall Street
• Czar Management Company
• BWS Boards
• The Game at IMDb
• The Game at Billboard.com

• 1979 births
• Aftermath Entertainment artists
• American rappers
• Bloods
• Grand Theft Auto actors
• Living people
• People from the Greater Los Angeles Area
• Rhythmic Top 40 acts
• California musicians
• African American musicians
• Grammy Award nominees
• People known by pseudonyms
• The Game