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The Game (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Jayceon Terrell Taylor (born November 29, 1979), better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper
and actor. As a member of G-Unit
, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary
, which earned him two Grammy Award
nominations. His debut album was followed by two more successful albums--the second album Doctor's Advocate in 2006, and the third album LAX in 2008. Game also runs his own record label The Black Wall Street Records
. Game is considered to be a driving force in reviving and bringing back the West Coast hip hop
scene, which had been overshadowed by artists from the East
and South.
, California in a primarily Crip
gang neighborhood known as Santana Blocc, although he grew up to become a member of the Bloods
. He was born into a life of gang-banging and hustling. In an October 2006 interview with MTV News
correspondent Sway Calloway
, Game described his family as "dysfunctional
" and claimed that his father molested one of his sisters. When later interviewed, Game stated that at a young age, he recalled seeing both of his parents preparing to do drive-bys
. His father was a Nutty Block Crip
and his mother a Hoover Crippelette. Drugs and guns were all around Taylor while he was growing up. His father was a heroin addict and both his parents frequently took cocaine
. Both his parents owned Glock 17s. At around the age of 6, Taylor stated that a friend of his was murdered for his clothes and shoes in the neighborhood by a teenager.
At the age of 7, Taylor went into foster care
. While in foster care, he was teased by other children. He did not go unnoticed, however. Game's intelligence was acknowledged by his caretakers and he usually helped his foster brothers and sisters with their homework. Taylor had a defining moment in his life when he met his idol, Eric Wright (also known as Eazy-E
), founder of the rap group N.W.A, around 1989.
Throughout Taylor's adolescence, he endured many hardships. At 13, one of Taylor's older brothers, Jevon, who was 17 at the time and had just received a record deal, was shot at a gas station. Taylor stated that he felt his father played a hand in this by not being there, for if he had, his brother would not have been shot. Jevon died the day after Jayceon visited him in the hospital, promising that things would be better and that lost time would be made up. Two years later, when Taylor was 15, he was removed from the foster care system. He moved in with his mother, Lynette, as his father was no longer around, and had a tumultuous relationship with his mother at first.
Taylor attended Compton High School
, where most students who were affiliated with gangs were Crips
. However, his older half brother George Taylor III, known as Big Fase 100, attended Centennial High School
and was the leader of the Cedar Block Piru
Bloods
. In high school, Taylor was beginning to follow in his brother's footsteps but when his natural athletic abilities earned him a position as the point guard on the basketball team, he chose to focus on athletics instead, joining the track team and playing other various sports. In 1999, Taylor graduated from Compton High School and enrolled in Washington State University
. According to Taylor, he had earned a basketball scholarship to the university, but was kicked out of the university after being caught with drugs in his possession. The university's athletic department, however, refutes that Taylor was ever enrolled in their athletic program and denies the drug claims.
After being kicked out of college, Taylor started fully embracing street life, selling drugs and running with gangs. Game and his brother Big Fase owned an apartment on the outskirts of Compton in Bellflower
. Shortly after moving there, they had a monopoly on the drug trade, but the operation was short-lived. On October 1, 2001, while Taylor was in the apartment alone, he heard a knock on the door at 2am. Expecting a late night sale, Taylor opened the door to see a regular customer. The man, however, was accompanied by two other visitors. A fight then ensued between Taylor and another man, and before he was able to reach for his pistol, Taylor was shot five times execution-style by one of the assailants. After lying still for several minutes, Game used his cell phone and called an ambulance. Due to the severity of his wounds, Taylor went into a three-day coma.
. The label originally featured such artists as Glasses Malone
, Vita, and Nu Jerzey Devil, along with Game himself. His stage name was coined by his grandmother cause he stated that she used to call him Game saying he was game for anything. Game first gained prominence when he attended a hip-hop summit hosted by Russell Simmons
and Louis Farrakhan
. After he had fully recovered, Game and Big Fase made a mixtape together. He releasing his first mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 1 in 2002, and landed a record deal with the independent label Get Low Recordz
owned by JT the Bigga Figga
.
Game's mixtape reached the hands of Sean Combs
, founder of Bad Boy Records
, who originally was on the verge of signing him to his label. Five months later, he was discovered by Dr. Dre
who listened to the mixtape that had been produced by his brother. Dr. Dre contacted Game and signed him to his Aftermath Entertainment
label in 2003. In late 2003, Interscope Records
CEO Jimmy Iovine
and Dr. Dre decided to have Game work with 50 Cent
and G-Unit
in order to help build a growing buzz around Game which would also fuel interest in G-Unit. Game made his first cameo appearance in the music video for 50 Cent's "In da Club
", where he is seen dancing with a girl. Since then, he has made numerous cameo appearances in music videos by 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks
, Young Buck
, and Fabolous
.Game spent the next two and a half years working on his debut album and being mentored by Dr. Dre.
Not having dropped an album despite being signed onto Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records for a while, Game was still able to create hype around his image alone. He appeared in ads for Sean Combs
's Sean John
clothing company and had an endorsement deal with Boost Mobile
, appearing in a commercial alongside Kanye West
and Ludacris
. Game also appeared heavily on the mixtape circuit and guest starred on mixtapes for DJ Green Lantern
, The Diplomats
, and G-Unit
. The first single released with Game on it was "Certified Gangstas
", which also featured Jim Jones
and Cam'ron
. Though the single wasn't considered to be mainstream, the buzz increased around the West Coast rapper.
On September 28, 2004, Game released his first promo single, "Westside Story
", from his debut album. He had originally chosen to title his debut album Nigga Wit' An Attitude Volume 1 (as heard 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. Thus, the album was titled The Documentary, which featured Dr. Dre and 50 Cent as executive producers. The album spawned the hit singles
"How We Do" and "Hate It or Love It
", the latter receiving two Grammy nominations. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200
and was the tenth best selling album of 2005 in the United States. It also debuted at number seven in the United Kingdom and sold over five million copies worldwide. In October 2004, he released his first album Untold Story
through Get Low Recordz, which sold over 82,000 copies within its first three months. The album featured artists like Sean T, Young Noble
(of the Outlawz
), and JT the Bigga Figga. Game also appeared on various mixtapes hosted by DJ's such as DJ Kayslay, DJ Whoo Kid
, and DJ Clue
. Game also released a second mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 2 through his own record label and appeared on the video game NBA Live 2004
on a song produced by Fredwreck
called "Can't Stop Me".
Later that year, the young rapper Lil Eazy-E, son of rapper the late Eazy-E
, entered a feud with Game. The two used to be close associates and even recorded music together. Lil' Eazy-E has since directed numerous diss songs targeting the rapper, and has expressed his anger over what he felt was Game misuse of his father's name. Game responded by claiming that Lil' Eazy-E was trying to establish himself off the success he had made since releasing The Documentary. He released a song titled "120 Bars" where he claimed that Lil' Eazy-E does not write his own lyrics. However, on the same track, Game stated that he would rather not feud with Lil' Eazy-E due to the deep respect he has for Lil' Eazy-E's father. Lil' Eazy-E later responded with "They Know Me". On October 30, 2006, Game went on KDAY
and said that he and Lil' Eazy-E had ended their feud.
Dr. Dre's nemesis, Suge Knight
, also had an ongoing feud with Game that stemmed from Yukmouth's claim that Game had been slapped by Suge Knight. 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 Records
had their invitations to a party hosted by Ciara
rescinded. Supposedly, a member of Death Row Records tried to steal Game's chain. Game stated on his Black Wall Street website that he disliked 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. Game vigorously denied involvement in the shooting, but the incident renewed efforts to pacify hip hop feuds and Game has consequently been discouraged from attending certain events in hopes of averting retaliation. Later, Game and various representatives of California's rap cliques formed a West Coast "peace treaty" to end many rivalries between West Coast rappers. Although Suge Knight did not attend, he and Game declared their feud over.
In early 2005, Game entered a feud
(or "beef") with G-Unit. Even before Game's debut album was released and their feud became public, there was tension between Game and 50 Cent. Soon after The Documentarys release, 50 Cent talked about an accident that occurred in the strip club
by stating that he felt that the rapper's actions of not partnering with 50 Cent
to react to Fat Joe
and Jadakiss
after the New York
song written by Ja Rule
were wrong and then booted Game out of G-Unit
. 50 Cent also claimed that he was not getting his proper credit for the creation of the album, as he had written six of the songs, all of which Game denied. During that dispute, a member of Game's entourage was shot during a confrontation that occurred at the Hot 97 studio in New York City. After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and Game held a press conference to announce their reconciliation. Fans had mixed feelings as to whether the rappers created a publicity stunt to boost the sales of the two albums the pair had just released. Nevertheless, even after the situation had apparently deflated, G-Unit continued to feud with Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claimed that, without their support, he would not score a hit if he made a second album. Game responded during a performance at Summer Jam
and launched a boycott
of G-Unit called "G-Unot".
After the performance at Summer Jam, Game responded with a song titled "300 Bars and Runnin'", an extended "diss" aimed at G-Unit as well as members of Roc-A-Fella Records
on the mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 3. The track is unique in that it is nearly 14 minutes long, in which Game criticizes all members of G-Unit, amongst many others. 50 Cent responded through his "Piggy Bank
" music video, which features Game as a Mr. Potato Head
doll and also parodies other rivals. Since then, both groups continued to attack each other. Game released two more mixtapes, Ghost Unit and a mixtape/DVD called Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin
. 50 Cent's rebuttal was "Not Rich, Still Lyin'" where he mocks Game. In addition, G-Unit started to respond on numerous mixtapes and then-new G-Unit member Spider Loc
began dissing Game. Game responded with "240 Bars (Spider Joke)", a song mainly aimed at Spider Loc, but also addressing Tony Yayo
and rap group M.O.P.
, and on the song "The Funeral 100 Bars".
The feud between Game and Roc-A-Fella Records
grew out of an earlier rivalry with Memphis Bleek
over the name of his label (Get Low Records
), which was similar to the one Game was previously signed to (Get Low Recordz
). On the single "Westside Story
", Game raps that "I don't do button-up shirts or drive maybach
s", which was perceived as being directed towards Jay-Z
, though Game stated it was directed toward Ja Rule
. Later Jay-Z performed a freestyle on Funkmaster Flex
's radio show on Hot 97 and in it, he repeatedly used the word "game", which some hip-hop fans believed was directed towards Game. Game responded with 'My Bitch" in which the first verse is directed at G-Unit
, the second verse is directed at Jay-Z
and the third verse at Suge Knight
.
Due to his disputes with 50 Cent, Game left Aftermath Entertainment
and signed with Geffen Records
another label under Universal Music Group
's Interscope-Geffen-A&M
division to terminate his contractual obligations with G-Unit in the summer of 2006. The rapper's second album Doctor's Advocate was released on November 14, 2006. This album was set out by Game to prove that he was still able to make good music and be a successful artist without the help of Dr. Dre or 50 Cent. He was also working on getting his own label, The Black Wall Street Records
, signed to a distribution label. While Game originally claimed Dr. Dre would still do production on the album in the November issue of XXL
magazine, he admitted in September after the XXL interview was conducted during an interview on radio station Power 105 that Dr. Dre would not be producing any tracks although four previously unreleased tracks produced by Dr. Dre were released on the internet, but no reason was given as to why they were not included on the album. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 358,000 copies its first week.
In October 2006, Game extended a peace treaty to 50 Cent, which was not immediately replied to. However, a couple days later on Power 106, he stated that the treaty was only offered for one day. On Game's album Doctor's Advocate, he says the feud is over on a few of the songs. The feud seemed to have gained steam after Tony Yayo allegedly slapped the fourteen year old son of Czar Entertainment
CEO Jimmy Rosemond. Game responded with "Body Bags" on You Know What It Is Vol. 4.
Since Young Buck was dismissed from G-Unit by 50 Cent, there has been interviews from both Game and Young Buck stating they never had a problem with each other. In an interview Young Buck said he was aware of Game's support and that Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo did not reach out to him.
Game's third album, LAX, went head to head with heavy metal
band Slipknot
's All Hope Is Gone on the Billboard 200, seeing that both albums were released on August 22, 2008, therefore both albums were competing for the number one spot on the Billboard 200 albums charts. LAX ended up debuting at number two on the Billboard 200, at first it looked like LAX had debuted ahead of All Hope Is Gone by 13 copies, with such a close difference. Initially, Billboard published an article stating that The Game had secured the top spot with a margin of 13 units, in what was described as the "closest race for number one since Nielsen SoundScan
began tracking Data in 1991". Slipknot's labels Warner Music Group
and Roadrunner Records
asked for a soundscan recount, a historic first. Nielsen proceeded to the recount, which placed LAX at number two with 238,382 copies, and Slipknot in first position with 239,516 copies scanned, a margin of 1,134 copies. After the recount 12 hours later, the article was rewritten and Slipknot was awarded the number one spot, having sold 239,516 units. The album spawned four singles, "Game's Pain
" with R&B singer Keyshia Cole
, "Dope Boys
" with Blink-182
drummer Travis Barker
, "My Life
" with rapper Lil Wayne
and "Camera Phone
" with R&B singer Ne-Yo
. In the United States the album has sold over 660,100 copies.
On June 26, 2009 Game released a song titled "Better on the Other Side
" a Michael Jackson
tribute, the day after Jackson's death. It features Diddy
, Mario Winans
, Chris Brown, Usher
& Boys II Men. On October 3, 2009, Snoop Dogg
posted a picture on his Twitter of himself, Dr. Dre
and Game in the studio working together, The picture was taken a day earlier and it marked the first time Game had worked with Dr. Dre for some years since the beef with former fellow G-Unit
labelmate 50 Cent
caused him to release his two following albums on Geffen Records
. Later in early January 2010 Game posted a twitpic of him wearing a lot of Aftermath chains with a caption saying "It's funny how things come Full Circle". Later he confirmed that he had returned to Aftermath Entertainment
. On June 3, 2011, Pitchfork Media
announced that Game is working with Odd Future leader Tyler, The Creator
on a track called "Martians vs. Goblins". Finally released on August 23, 2011, 'R.E.D.' hits No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart with first week sales of 98,000 units sold.
Cobras, an ABA basketball franchise team.
In 2000 Game appeared on dating television show Change of Heart
, in the segment his partner criticised him for "acting Macho when in reality is said to be sensitive", it was also revealed that Game had taken his date Felicia to a male stripclub owned by his mother. The episode came to an end where a mutual friend of Jaceyon and his partner suggested in them staying together, Game decided to stay together but was rebuffed by the offer when his partner agreed to a change of heart and Game was subsequently dumped on TV.
Game also ventured into acting. In 2004, he had a minor role voicing the character "B-Dup", in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
. He also voiced a character in the video game Def Jam: Icon
. In 2006, he made his film debut in Waist Deep
as a character named "Big Meat" and is currently filming two more movies.
Game has also 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 Hurricane Katrina
.
reported that as of 2006, Game is a resident of Glendale, California
after purchasing a home in the Kenneth Village neighborhood.
Game announced that he was engaged to actress and model Valeisha Butterfield, the daughter of U.S. Congressman G. K. Butterfield
. The couple were set to marry in March 2007, but the engagement was called off in June 2006.
, and Tha Dogg Pound
, were sued for assaulting a fan on stage at a May 2005 concert at the White River Amphitheatre
in Auburn, Washington
. The accuser, Richard Monroe, Jr., claimed he was beaten by the artists' entourage while mounting the stage. He alleged that he reacted to an "open invite" to come on stage. Before he could, Snoop's bodyguards grabbed him and he was beaten unconscious by crewmembers, including the rapper and producer Soopafly
; Snoop and Game were included in the suit for not intervening. The lawsuit focuses on a pecuniary claim of $22 million in punitive and compensatory damages, battery
, negligence
, and intentional infliction of emotional distress
. The concerned parties appeared in court in April 2009.
On October 28, 2005, Game was charged with disorderly conduct
and resisting arrest in Greensboro
. At one point, police said his companions were pepper spray
ed when they surrounded officers in a threatening manner. Mall security officers said the rapper was wearing a full-face Halloween
mask, filming shoppers, cursing loudly, and refused to leave when asked. Game continued to act up and was arrested, a police statement said. Game claimed that officers overreacted and that he did nothing wrong when he was pepper sprayed by the mall security. The five officers involved in the incident ended up suing Game for defamation, which has yet to be taken to court.
On May 11, 2007, Game was arrested at his home reportedly in connection with an incident at a basketball game in South Los Angeles
in February 2007. He is alleged to have threatened a person with a gun. The arrest took place after his home was searched for three hours. Game was released early the next day after posting $50,000 bail. On January 9, 2008, a Los Angeles judge scheduled February 4 as the beginning date for Game's trial on assault and weapons charges. After pleading no contest
to a felony
weapons charge on February 11, Game was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 150 hours of community service, and three years probation
.
Game was refused entry to Canada for alleged gang ties in LA; concert organisers said he was associated with the Bloods.
On August 12,2011 rapper The Game decided to tweet his search for a supposed internship opening. In the message sent to his over 580,000 followers he posted the number to call as the emergency line for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The Game's fans jammed the line for hours. Initially, The Game denied any wrongdoing saying the tweet was "a mistake." The Game then posted a message saying the sheriff's department can "track a tweet down but you can't solve murders!" A criminal investigation was launched stating that the The Game could be charged for obstruction of justice. Despite all of this, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department issued this statement, "Based upon our investigation, as well as consultation with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the LASD considers the criminal investigation into this matter closed. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will not be seeking criminal charges.” The Game issued an apology on CNN saying, "My sincerest apologies to the Sheriff's Department, it was a joke gone wrong.”
on his right forearm and has a graveyard under it in which the headstones say 2Pac, Jam Master Jay & Eazy. Under his left eye he has a teardrop and behind his left ear has a tattoo that says "HCT 6 30 03" which is a reference to his son Harlem Caron Taylor who was born on June 30, 2003. On the left side of his neck he has his The Game logo and under it he has the Black Wallstreet logo. Under his right eye he had a tattoo of a Butterfly
but covered it with the L.A. Dodgers logo and a red star around it. Under his right ear he has the Converse All-Star logo and under it he has CBP which stands for Cedar Block Piru. On his upper chest he has Hate It or Love It
. On the right side of his chest he has a tattoo that says N.W.A. On the left side of his chest he has a Bandana
. On his stomach he has "Stretch" which used to be his nickname because he was tall. On his right shoulder he has KJ and under it he has Tupac Shakur
as an Angel
. On his lower right forearm he has "Wallstreet" while on his other one has "The Black". On his right arm he has a tribute to his deceased friend "Billboard". On his right hand he has Chuck while his other hand has Taylor a reference to Chuck Taylor and Game's nickname. On his lower left forearm he has a Pigeon and above it a Clown
. On his left elbow he has his Hurricane shoes logo and under it has G-Unot a reference to his feud with 50 Cent
& G-Unit
.
|rowspan="7"|2005
|rowspan="4"|The Game
|BET Awards
– Best New Artist
|
|-
|Billboard Music Awards – Rap Artist of the Year
|
|-
|Billboard Music Awards – New Artist of the Year
|
|-
|MTV Video Music Award – Best New Artist in a Video
– "Dreams
"
|
|-
|"How We Do" (feat. 50 Cent
)
|Billboard Music Awards – Rap Song of the Year
|
|-
|rowspan="4"|"Hate It or Love It
" (feat. 50 Cent
)
|BET Awards – Best Collaboration
|
|-
|MTV Video Music Award – Best Rap Video
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|Grammy Awards – Best Rap Song
|
|-
|Grammy Awards – Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
|
|-
|2007
|Doctor's Advocate
|Ozone Awards
– Best West Coast Rap Album
|
|-
|2008
|The Game
|Ozone Awards – Best West Coast Rap Artist
|
|}
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and actor. As a member of G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary
The Documentary
The Documentary is the debut studio album by West Coast rapper Game, released on January 18, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. After recovering from a shooting in late 2001, The Game pursued a rap career and was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to his...
, which earned him two Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations. His debut album was followed by two more successful albums--the second album Doctor's Advocate in 2006, and the third album LAX in 2008. Game also runs his own record label The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records is a record label founded by Jayceon "Game" Taylor and his half-brother George "Big Fase 100" Taylor III.-History:...
. Game is considered to be a driving force in reviving and bringing back the West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
scene, which had been overshadowed by artists from the East
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...
and South.
Early life
Game was born Jayceon Terrell Taylor on November 29, 1979 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in ComptonCompton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
, California in a primarily Crip
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
gang neighborhood known as Santana Blocc, although he grew up to become a member of the Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
. He was born into a life of gang-banging and hustling. In an October 2006 interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
correspondent Sway Calloway
Sway Calloway
Sway Calloway, usually credited as Sway, born August 23rd, 1976, is a reporter and executive producer for MTV News. He is also the co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Wake Up Show...
, Game described his family as "dysfunctional
Dysfunctional family
A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often abuse on the part of individual members occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions. Children sometimes grow up in such families with the understanding that such an arrangement is...
" and claimed that his father molested one of his sisters. When later interviewed, Game stated that at a young age, he recalled seeing both of his parents preparing to do drive-bys
Drive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a form of hit-and-run tactic, a personal attack carried out by an individual or individuals from a moving or momentarily stopped vehicle without use of headlights to avoid being noticed. It often results in bystanders being shot instead of, or as well as, the intended target...
. His father was a Nutty Block Crip
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
and his mother a Hoover Crippelette. Drugs and guns were all around Taylor while he was growing up. His father was a heroin addict and both his parents frequently took cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
. Both his parents owned Glock 17s. At around the age of 6, Taylor stated that a friend of his was murdered for his clothes and shoes in the neighborhood by a teenager.
At the age of 7, Taylor went into foster care
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
. While in foster care, he was teased by other children. He did not go unnoticed, however. Game's intelligence was acknowledged by his caretakers and he usually helped his foster brothers and sisters with their homework. Taylor had a defining moment in his life when he met his idol, Eric Wright (also known as Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
), founder of the rap group N.W.A, around 1989.
Throughout Taylor's adolescence, he endured many hardships. At 13, one of Taylor's older brothers, Jevon, who was 17 at the time and had just received a record deal, was shot at a gas station. Taylor stated that he felt his father played a hand in this by not being there, for if he had, his brother would not have been shot. Jevon died the day after Jayceon visited him in the hospital, promising that things would be better and that lost time would be made up. Two years later, when Taylor was 15, he was removed from the foster care system. He moved in with his mother, Lynette, as his father was no longer around, and had a tumultuous relationship with his mother at first.
Taylor attended Compton High School
Compton High School
Compton High School is a high school in Compton, California, part of the Compton Unified School District.-School history:The school first opened in 1896 as Compton Union High School and then later reestablished as Compton Senior High School in the 1950s after the new community college campus opened...
, where most students who were affiliated with gangs were Crips
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
. However, his older half brother George Taylor III, known as Big Fase 100, attended Centennial High School
Centennial High School (Compton, California)
Centennial High School is a public high school in Compton, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area....
and was the leader of the Cedar Block Piru
Pirus
The Pirus or Piru Street Boys are a Los Angeles, California area street gang alliance based out of Compton which spread to Carson, Inglewood, and Watts. Piru sets make up most of the original blood gang alliance in Los Angeles.The name "Piru" is derived from Piru Street in the city of Compton...
Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
. In high school, Taylor was beginning to follow in his brother's footsteps but when his natural athletic abilities earned him a position as the point guard on the basketball team, he chose to focus on athletics instead, joining the track team and playing other various sports. In 1999, Taylor graduated from Compton High School and enrolled in Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. According to Taylor, he had earned a basketball scholarship to the university, but was kicked out of the university after being caught with drugs in his possession. The university's athletic department, however, refutes that Taylor was ever enrolled in their athletic program and denies the drug claims.
After being kicked out of college, Taylor started fully embracing street life, selling drugs and running with gangs. Game and his brother Big Fase owned an apartment on the outskirts of Compton in Bellflower
Bellflower, California
Bellflower is a city in Los Angeles County, California, and is a suburb of Los Angeles. It was incorporated on September 3, 1957. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,616, up from 72,878 at the 2000 census....
. Shortly after moving there, they had a monopoly on the drug trade, but the operation was short-lived. On October 1, 2001, while Taylor was in the apartment alone, he heard a knock on the door at 2am. Expecting a late night sale, Taylor opened the door to see a regular customer. The man, however, was accompanied by two other visitors. A fight then ensued between Taylor and another man, and before he was able to reach for his pistol, Taylor was shot five times execution-style by one of the assailants. After lying still for several minutes, Game used his cell phone and called an ambulance. Due to the severity of his wounds, Taylor went into a three-day coma.
Early career (2002–2003)
While recovering in the hospital from the gunshot wounds he incurred in late 2001, Game told his brother to go out and buy all of the classic hip-hop albums. Over the course of five months, he studied all of the various influential rap albums and developed a strategy to turn himself into a rapper. With the help of his older brother Big Fase, they founded The Black Wall Street RecordsThe Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records is a record label founded by Jayceon "Game" Taylor and his half-brother George "Big Fase 100" Taylor III.-History:...
. The label originally featured such artists as Glasses Malone
Glasses Malone
Charles Phillipivory Penniman , better known by his stage name Glasses Malone, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Early life:Glasses Malone grew up in the Watts and Compton neighborhoods in Los Angeles County...
, Vita, and Nu Jerzey Devil, along with Game himself. His stage name was coined by his grandmother cause he stated that she used to call him Game saying he was game for anything. Game first gained prominence when he attended a hip-hop summit hosted by Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons
-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...
and Louis Farrakhan
Louis Farrakhan
Louis Farrakhan Muhammad, Sr. is the leader of the African-American religious movement the Nation of Islam . He served as the minister of major mosques in Boston and Harlem, and was appointed by the longtime NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad, before his death in 1975, as the National Representative of...
. After he had fully recovered, Game and Big Fase made a mixtape together. He releasing his first mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 1 in 2002, and landed a record deal with the independent label Get Low Recordz
Get Low Recordz
Get Low Recordz is a San Francisco based independent record label founded in 1992 and owned by rapper/producer JT the Bigga Figga. The first artists who released material on Get Low Recordz were JT the Bigga Figga, Get Low Playaz, San Quinn, The Game and D-Moe. In 1995 the label got a...
owned by JT the Bigga Figga
JT the Bigga Figga
JT the Bigga Figga born Joseph Tom is a hip hop producer/rapper from San Francisco, California's Fillmore neighborhood. The popularity of his self-released Playaz n' the Game led to his signing with Priority Records in 1995....
.
Game's mixtape reached the hands of Sean Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, founder of Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
, who originally was on the verge of signing him to his label. Five months later, he was discovered by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
who listened to the mixtape that had been produced by his brother. Dr. Dre contacted Game and signed him to his Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
label in 2003. In late 2003, Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
CEO Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
and Dr. Dre decided to have Game work with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
and G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
in order to help build a growing buzz around Game which would also fuel interest in G-Unit. Game made his first cameo appearance in the music video for 50 Cent's "In da Club
In da Club
"In Da Club" is a hip hop song performed by rapper 50 Cent from his commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin. The song was produced by Dr. Dre with co-production from Mike Elizondo. 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Elizondo wrote the song...
", where he is seen dancing with a girl. Since then, he has made numerous cameo appearances in music videos by 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
, Young Buck
Young Buck
David Darnell Brown , also known as Young Buck, is an American Southern rapper. Buck is a former member of the New York City Hip-Hop group G-Unit, also a former artist of G-Unit Records as of Nov 26, 2011...
, and Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
.Game spent the next two and a half years working on his debut album and being mentored by Dr. Dre.
The Documentary and feud with G-Unit (2004–2005)
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
's Sean John
Sean John
Sean John Clothing Inc is a clothing and fragrance company owned by hip-hop mogul Sean Combs. The apparel company takes its name from Combs' first and middle given names....
clothing company and had an endorsement deal with Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile is a brand of wireless prepay service run by Sprint Nextel, operating within the Sprint Prepaid Group along with Virgin Mobile USA, Assurance Wireless, and payLo by Virgin Mobile. Boost Mobile uses GSMand iDEN networks...
, appearing in a commercial alongside Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
. Game also appeared heavily on the mixtape circuit and guest starred on mixtapes for DJ Green Lantern
DJ Green Lantern
James D'Agostino , better known by his stage name DJ Green Lantern, is an American-Italian-Puerto Rican DJ and hip hop music producer from Rochester, New York. In 2002, D'Agostino was signed by Eminem to become the official DJ for Shady Records after DJ Head stepped down for undisclosed reasons...
, The Diplomats
The Diplomats
The Diplomats, also popularly known as Dipset, are a Harlem-based hip hop group founded by Cam'ron and Jim Jones in 1997. The original members of the group were Cam'ron, Freekey Zekey, and Jim Jones ; who all grew up together in Harlem...
, and G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
. The first single released with Game on it was "Certified Gangstas
Certified Gangstas
"Certified Gangstas" is the debut single of Harlem based rapper Jim Jones off his album On My Way to Church. The song features Cam'ron and Jay Bezel.-Background:...
", which also featured Jim Jones
Jim Jones (rapper)
Joseph Guillermo Jones II , better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and original member of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is Co-CEO of Diplomat Records...
and Cam'ron
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
. Though the single wasn't considered to be mainstream, the buzz increased around the West Coast rapper.
On September 28, 2004, Game released his first promo single, "Westside Story
Westside Story (song)
"Westside Story" is the debut single by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game. The song was produced by both Dr. Dre and Scott Storch and co-written by Mike Elizondo, Dre, Storch, The Game and 50 Cent . It was released in 2004 as the lead single from Game's debut studio album The...
", from his debut album. He had originally chosen to title his debut album Nigga Wit' An Attitude Volume 1 (as heard in the lyrics to "Dreams
Dreams (The Game song)
"Dreams" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, from his debut album, The Documentary. It was released as the fourth official single from the album. The song was produced by Kanye West and features a sample of "No Money Down" by soul music singer Jerry Butler...
"), but an injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
filed at the request of Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
's widow prevented him from using N.W.A.
N.W.A.
N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
's name in the album title. Thus, the album was titled The Documentary, which featured Dr. Dre and 50 Cent as executive producers. The album spawned the hit singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"How We Do" and "Hate It or Love It
Hate It or Love It
"Hate It or Love It" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, featuring vocals from fellow G-Unit member at the time rapper 50 Cent. It was released as the third official single from The Game's debut studio album The Documentary , from record labels Aftermath...
", the latter receiving two Grammy nominations. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and was the tenth best selling album of 2005 in the United States. It also debuted at number seven in the United Kingdom and sold over five million copies worldwide. In October 2004, he released his first album Untold Story
Untold Story (album)
Untold Story is the first independent album by The Game. It was released on October, 2004 for Get Low Recordz and was produced by Sean T and JT the Bigga Figga...
through Get Low Recordz, which sold over 82,000 copies within its first three months. The album featured artists like Sean T, Young Noble
Young Noble
Rufus Cooper III , also known by his stage name Young Noble, is an American rapper who worked with the group Outlawz in 1996....
(of the Outlawz
Outlawz
Outlawz, formally known as Outlaw Immortalz, is an American hip hop group founded by Tupac Shakur in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison. Collectively, they are probably best known for appearing in the video "Hit 'Em Up", in a diss track aimed at Biggie Smalls and other New York...
), and JT the Bigga Figga. Game also appeared on various mixtapes hosted by DJ's such as DJ Kayslay, DJ Whoo Kid
DJ Whoo Kid
DJ Whoo Kid is a hip hop DJ and of Haitian descent raised in Queens Village, New York but with strong roots to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. He is currently signed to G-Unit Records and its subsidiary label, Shady Ville Entertainment...
, and DJ Clue
DJ Clue
Ernesto Shaw better known as DJ Clue?, is a mixtape DJ.-Biography:For more than 10 years, DJ Clue has proven that he is more than just a beat-thumper. His accomplishments show how a turntable genius precisely puts together different songs to make a concoction of beats and melodies that rule the...
. Game also released a second mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 2 through his own record label and appeared on the video game NBA Live 2004
NBA Live 2004
NBA Live 2004 is the 2004 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors . The game was developed by EA Sports and released on October 14, 2003...
on a song produced by Fredwreck
Fredwreck
Farid Karam Nassar, better known as Fredwreck is a record producer from Los Angeles, California. He got his big break when he became a producer for Dr. Dre's newly founded Aftermath Records label, and went on to work with Snoop Dogg's record label Dogghouse Records and became a known producer on...
called "Can't Stop Me".
Later that year, the young rapper Lil Eazy-E, son of rapper the late Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
, entered a feud with Game. The two used to be close associates and even recorded music together. Lil' Eazy-E has since directed numerous diss songs targeting the rapper, and has expressed his anger over what he felt was Game misuse of his father's name. Game responded by claiming that Lil' Eazy-E was trying to establish himself off the success he had made since releasing The Documentary. He released a song titled "120 Bars" where he claimed that Lil' Eazy-E does not write his own lyrics. However, on the same track, Game stated that he would rather not feud with Lil' Eazy-E due to the deep respect he has for Lil' Eazy-E's father. Lil' Eazy-E later responded with "They Know Me". On October 30, 2006, Game went on KDAY
KDAY
KDAY in Redondo Beach and KDEY in Ontario are a pair of synchrocasting radio stations based in South Los Angeles that airs an Classic hip-hop format aimed at African Americans in the 18-49 range. The station is owned by Magic Broadcasting, LLC and broadcasts at 93.5 MHz on the FM dial...
and said that he and Lil' Eazy-E had ended their feud.
Dr. Dre's nemesis, Suge Knight
Suge Knight
Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Black Kapital Records and co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Death Row Records rose to dominate the rap charts after Dr. Dre's breakthrough album The Chronic in 1992. After several years of chart successes for artists including...
, also had an ongoing feud with Game that stemmed from Yukmouth's claim that Game had been slapped by Suge Knight. 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
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
, associates of Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
had their invitations to a party hosted by Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
rescinded. Supposedly, a member of Death Row Records tried to steal Game's chain. Game stated on his Black Wall Street website that he disliked Suge Knight because of "the lives he has endangered". In Miami for the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
, Suge Knight was shot and wounded at Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's party by an unknown gunman. Game vigorously denied involvement in the shooting, but the incident renewed efforts to pacify hip hop feuds and Game has consequently been discouraged from attending certain events in hopes of averting retaliation. Later, Game and various representatives of California's rap cliques formed a West Coast "peace treaty" to end many rivalries between West Coast rappers. Although Suge Knight did not attend, he and Game declared their feud over.
In early 2005, Game entered a feud
Hip-hop feud
A hip hop feud, also known as a beef or a rivalry, is a controversy in which two or more rappers create a rivalry that is manifested by each slandering and confronting the other in a number of ways.- Background :...
(or "beef") with G-Unit. Even before Game's debut album was released and their feud became public, there was tension between Game and 50 Cent. Soon after The Documentarys release, 50 Cent talked about an accident that occurred in the strip club
Strip club
A strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
by stating that he felt that the rapper's actions of not partnering with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
to react to Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
and Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
after the New York
New York (Ja Rule song)
"New York" is a 2004 single by rapper Ja Rule, featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss, from his album R.U.L.E.. The track was produced by Cool & Dre, and the chorus is based around Boogie Down Productions' 1990 song, "100 Guns" The song peaked at #27 on the US Hot 100 chart, #14 on U.S...
song written by Ja Rule
Ja Rule
Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...
were wrong and then booted Game out of G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
. 50 Cent also claimed that he was not getting his proper credit for the creation of the album, as he had written six of the songs, all of which Game denied. During that dispute, a member of Game's entourage was shot during a confrontation that occurred at the Hot 97 studio in New York City. After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and Game held a press conference to announce their reconciliation. Fans had mixed feelings as to whether the rappers created a publicity stunt to boost the sales of the two albums the pair had just released. Nevertheless, even after the situation had apparently deflated, G-Unit continued to feud with Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claimed that, without their support, he would not score a hit if he made a second album. Game responded during a performance at Summer Jam
Summer Jam
Summer Jam is the annual hip-hop fest held in East Rutherford, New Jersey and sponsored by New York based radio station Hot 97FM. Normally held in June, the concert features the most popular acts that hip-hop and R&B have to offer in a particular year....
and launched a boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
of G-Unit called "G-Unot".
After the performance at Summer Jam, Game responded with a song titled "300 Bars and Runnin'", an extended "diss" aimed at G-Unit as well as members of Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
on the mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 3. The track is unique in that it is nearly 14 minutes long, in which Game criticizes all members of G-Unit, amongst many others. 50 Cent responded through his "Piggy Bank
Piggy Bank (song)
"Piggy Bank" is the fifth track from 50 Cent's second album, The Massacre. It was not released as a single, but charted at eighty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 due to controversy over its attack on long-time rival Ja Rule, as well as Jadakiss and Fat Joe, who had worked with Ja Rule on his song...
" music video, which features Game as a Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head! is an American toy consisting of a plastic model of a potato which can be decorated with a variety of plastic parts that can attach to the main body. These parts usually include ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, a nose, and a mouth. The toy was invented and developed by George Lerner in...
doll and also parodies other rivals. Since then, both groups continued to attack each other. Game released two more mixtapes, Ghost Unit and a mixtape/DVD called Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin
Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin
Stop Snitchin–Stop Lyin is a mixtape album/DVD by rapper The Game. It features artists like Lil' Kim, Ice Cube, Lil Rob, Chingy, WC, Paul Wall and others. The DVD is directed by Éngel Thedford of AREA51 Media Group. This mixtape is the third of three diss mixtapes aimed at the G-Unit members. It is...
. 50 Cent's rebuttal was "Not Rich, Still Lyin'" where he mocks Game. In addition, G-Unit started to respond on numerous mixtapes and then-new G-Unit member Spider Loc
Spider Loc
Curtis Norvell Williams, more commonly known as Spider Loc is an American rapper signed to G-Unit Records.Loc is also the CEO of G-Unit West.-Biography:...
began dissing Game. Game responded with "240 Bars (Spider Joke)", a song mainly aimed at Spider Loc, but also addressing Tony Yayo
Tony Yayo
Marvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
and rap group M.O.P.
M.O.P.
M.O.P., short for Mash Out Posse, is an American hip hop duo. The duo, composed of Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, is known for the aggressive delivery typically employed by both emcees. Although they maintain a strong underground following, they are mainly known for the song "Ante Up," released on...
, and on the song "The Funeral 100 Bars".
The feud between Game and Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
grew out of an earlier rivalry with Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek
Malik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
over the name of his label (Get Low Records
Get Low Records
Get Low Records is a hip hop record label founded by Memphis Bleek in 1998.-Beginnings:Under the guidance of Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek founded his label, Get Low Records. The label's first release was Memphis Bleek's gold debut, The Coming of Age. This gained the label some notoriety. During the year...
), which was similar to the one Game was previously signed to (Get Low Recordz
Get Low Recordz
Get Low Recordz is a San Francisco based independent record label founded in 1992 and owned by rapper/producer JT the Bigga Figga. The first artists who released material on Get Low Recordz were JT the Bigga Figga, Get Low Playaz, San Quinn, The Game and D-Moe. In 1995 the label got a...
). On the single "Westside Story
Westside Story (song)
"Westside Story" is the debut single by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game. The song was produced by both Dr. Dre and Scott Storch and co-written by Mike Elizondo, Dre, Storch, The Game and 50 Cent . It was released in 2004 as the lead single from Game's debut studio album The...
", Game raps that "I don't do button-up shirts or drive maybach
Maybach
Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH is a German luxury car manufacturer. It was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. The company was originally a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and was itself known as Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH until 1912.Today, the ultra-luxury car brand is owned by...
s", which was perceived as being directed towards Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, though Game stated it was directed toward Ja Rule
Ja Rule
Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...
. Later Jay-Z performed a freestyle on Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
's radio show on Hot 97 and in it, he repeatedly used the word "game", which some hip-hop fans believed was directed towards Game. Game responded with 'My Bitch" in which the first verse is directed at G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
, the second verse is directed at Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and the third verse at Suge Knight
Suge Knight
Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Black Kapital Records and co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Death Row Records rose to dominate the rap charts after Dr. Dre's breakthrough album The Chronic in 1992. After several years of chart successes for artists including...
.
Doctor's Advocate and LAX (2006–2008)
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
and signed with Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
another label under Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
's Interscope-Geffen-A&M
Interscope-Geffen-A&M
Interscope-Geffen-A&M is an umbrella label, owned by Universal Music Group. The company was formed in 1999, when Geffen Records and A&M Records were merged into Interscope Records—the flagship imprint of the operation....
division to terminate his contractual obligations with G-Unit in the summer of 2006. The rapper's second album Doctor's Advocate was released on November 14, 2006. This album was set out by Game to prove that he was still able to make good music and be a successful artist without the help of Dr. Dre or 50 Cent. He was also working on getting his own label, The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records
The Black Wall Street Records is a record label founded by Jayceon "Game" Taylor and his half-brother George "Big Fase 100" Taylor III.-History:...
, signed to a distribution label. While Game originally claimed Dr. Dre would still do production on the album in the November issue of XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
magazine, he admitted in September after the XXL interview was conducted during an interview on radio station Power 105 that Dr. Dre would not be producing any tracks although four previously unreleased tracks produced by Dr. Dre were released on the internet, but no reason was given as to why they were not included on the album. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 358,000 copies its first week.
In October 2006, Game extended a peace treaty to 50 Cent, which was not immediately replied to. However, a couple days later on Power 106, he stated that the treaty was only offered for one day. On Game's album Doctor's Advocate, he says the feud is over on a few of the songs. The feud seemed to have gained steam after Tony Yayo allegedly slapped the fourteen year old son of Czar Entertainment
Czar Entertainment
Czar Entertainment is a management company which was founded by Jimmy Rosemond and Bryce Wilson. The company was involved in a lawsuit with artist 50 Cent over a DVD Czar Entertainment produces, which used interview footage of 50 Cent without permission. This was settled out of court in March 2006...
CEO Jimmy Rosemond. Game responded with "Body Bags" on You Know What It Is Vol. 4.
Since Young Buck was dismissed from G-Unit by 50 Cent, there has been interviews from both Game and Young Buck stating they never had a problem with each other. In an interview Young Buck said he was aware of Game's support and that Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo did not reach out to him.
Game's third album, LAX, went head to head with heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
's All Hope Is Gone on the Billboard 200, seeing that both albums were released on August 22, 2008, therefore both albums were competing for the number one spot on the Billboard 200 albums charts. LAX ended up debuting at number two on the Billboard 200, at first it looked like LAX had debuted ahead of All Hope Is Gone by 13 copies, with such a close difference. Initially, Billboard published an article stating that The Game had secured the top spot with a margin of 13 units, in what was described as the "closest race for number one since Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
began tracking Data in 1991". Slipknot's labels Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
and Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
asked for a soundscan recount, a historic first. Nielsen proceeded to the recount, which placed LAX at number two with 238,382 copies, and Slipknot in first position with 239,516 copies scanned, a margin of 1,134 copies. After the recount 12 hours later, the article was rewritten and Slipknot was awarded the number one spot, having sold 239,516 units. The album spawned four singles, "Game's Pain
Game's Pain
"Game's Pain" is the lead single from The Game's third studio album LAX.In the song, which features Keyshia Cole, Game makes references to The Notorious B.I.G., Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Nas, Luke Skyywalker of 2 Live Crew, Common, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Ice Cube ,...
" with R&B singer Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Myeshia Cole Gibson born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her sophomore album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007...
, "Dope Boys
Dope Boys
"Dope Boys" is the second single off The Game's third studio album, LAX. The song features Travis Barker playing the drums. The song samples "Eleanor Rigby" By The Beatles.-Music video:...
" with Blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
drummer Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
, "My Life
My Life (The Game song)
"My Life" is the third single from The Game's third studio album, LAX which was released on August 22, 2008. The song, produced by Cool & Dre, features Lil Wayne.-Recording:Producers Cool & Dre have released a video documenting how they created the beat....
" with rapper Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and "Camera Phone
Camera Phone (song)
"Camera Phone" is the fourth single from The Game's third album, LAX. The song features R&B singer Ne-Yo. The song was produced by Cool & Dre. It appears as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the album only. The single was only released for download in the UK and not the USA. In the UK, "Camera...
" with R&B singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
. In the United States the album has sold over 660,100 copies.
The R.E.D. Album (2009–present)
It was confirmed in May 2009 that Game began working on a new album title, The R.E.D. AlbumThe R.E.D. Album
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...
On June 26, 2009 Game released a song titled "Better on the Other Side
Better on the Other Side
"Better on the Other Side" is a tribute song from American recording artists The Game, Chris Brown, Diddy, DJ Khalil, Polow da Don, Mario Winans, Usher and Boyz II Men dedicated to Michael Jackson. The song was recorded on June 25, 2009, after being notified that Jackson had died, and...
" a Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
tribute, the day after Jackson's death. It features Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, Mario Winans
Mario Winans
Mario Winans is an American R&B singer, songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born Mario Brown, he is the son of gospel recording artist Vickie Winans and her first husband, Bishop Ronald Brown. He is also the stepson of his mother's second husband, gospel singer, Pastor Marvin...
, Chris Brown, Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
& Boys II Men. On October 3, 2009, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
posted a picture on his Twitter of himself, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and Game in the studio working together, The picture was taken a day earlier and it marked the first time Game had worked with Dr. Dre for some years since the beef with former fellow G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
labelmate 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
caused him to release his two following albums on Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. Later in early January 2010 Game posted a twitpic of him wearing a lot of Aftermath chains with a caption saying "It's funny how things come Full Circle". Later he confirmed that he had returned to Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
. On June 3, 2011, Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
announced that Game is working with Odd Future leader Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, the Creator
Tyler Okonma , better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist and fashion designer from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future...
on a track called "Martians vs. Goblins". Finally released on August 23, 2011, 'R.E.D.' hits No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart with first week sales of 98,000 units sold.
Other ventures
As a result of his fame, Game ventured into areas outside of rap. He was chosen to play and had bought a large selection of shares for the now defunct InglewoodInglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
Cobras, an ABA basketball franchise team.
In 2000 Game appeared on dating television show Change of Heart
Change of Heart (TV series)
Change of Heart was a dating game show that was hosted by Chris Jagger and Lynne Koplitz and syndicated by Warner Bros. Domestic Television. During the 2001-2002 season, Phil Kollin would also serve as a fill-in host during some episodes...
, in the segment his partner criticised him for "acting Macho when in reality is said to be sensitive", it was also revealed that Game had taken his date Felicia to a male stripclub owned by his mother. The episode came to an end where a mutual friend of Jaceyon and his partner suggested in them staying together, Game decided to stay together but was rebuffed by the offer when his partner agreed to a change of heart and Game was subsequently dumped on TV.
Game also ventured into acting. In 2004, he had a minor role voicing the character "B-Dup", in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
. He also voiced a character in the video game Def Jam: Icon
Def Jam: Icon
Def Jam: Icon is a fighting game, and is the third in Electronic Arts's Def Jam-licensed hip hop video game series. The game was developed by EA Chicago, developers of Fight Night Round 3 and is the first Def Jam game not to be developed by AKI Corporation. Unlike the previous games in the series,...
. In 2006, he made his film debut in Waist Deep
Waist Deep
Waist Deep is a 2006 drama-action film directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall, starring Tyrese Gibson and Meagan Good. It is loosely based on the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, including some similar subplots including the two main characters on the road, trying to avoid police, and committing bank...
as a character named "Big Meat" and is currently filming two more movies.
Game has also partnered with 310 Motoring
310 Motoring
310 Motoring is an automotive customization garage based in Los Angeles, California founded by Marc Laidler in 1999. The name is based on area code 310, for its original location in L.A. The company grew and now has shops across the United States, including 45 in California...
to create his own shoe called The Hurricanes. A portion of the proceeds of the shoe are donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.
Family and relationships
Game has three children, two sons and a daughter. His first son is named Harlem Caron Taylor and was born on June 30, 2003. The Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
reported that as of 2006, Game is a resident of Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
after purchasing a home in the Kenneth Village neighborhood.
Game announced that he was engaged to actress and model Valeisha Butterfield, the daughter of U.S. Congressman G. K. Butterfield
G. K. Butterfield
George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in the northeastern corner of the state.-Early life and education:...
. The couple were set to marry in March 2007, but the engagement was called off in June 2006.
Legal issues
Game, Snoop DoggSnoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, and Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound is a rap group made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success. The group made their 1992 rap debut on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, on various songs. They also appeared on Snoop Dogg's debut album...
, were sued for assaulting a fan on stage at a May 2005 concert at the White River Amphitheatre
White River Amphitheatre
White River Amphitheatre is a Live Nation managed concert venue, located in Auburn, Washington, on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, 15 miles northeast of Tacoma and 35 miles southeast of Seattle. The capacity is 20,000, with 9,000 covered seats...
in Auburn, Washington
Auburn, Washington
-Parks:Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails comprising 29 developed parks, 5 undeveloped sites under planning, 2 skate parks, 2 water roatary parks, and over of trails , and almost of open space for passive and active recreation.-Environmental Park:The Auburn...
. The accuser, Richard Monroe, Jr., claimed he was beaten by the artists' entourage while mounting the stage. He alleged that he reacted to an "open invite" to come on stage. Before he could, Snoop's bodyguards grabbed him and he was beaten unconscious by crewmembers, including the rapper and producer Soopafly
Soopafly
Priest Joseph Brooks, better known by his stage name Soopafly, is a hip hop producer and rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the DPGC.- Early life:The oldest of three children, Brooks grew up in Long Beach...
; Snoop and Game were included in the suit for not intervening. The lawsuit focuses on a pecuniary claim of $22 million in punitive and compensatory damages, battery
Battery (tort)
At common law, battery is the tort of intentionally and voluntarily bringing about an unconsented harmful or offensive contact with a person or to something closely associated with them . Unlike assault, battery involves an actual contact...
, negligence
Negligence
Negligence is a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances. The area of tort law known as negligence involves harm caused by carelessness, not intentional harm.According to Jay M...
, and intentional infliction of emotional distress
Intentional infliction of emotional distress
Intentional infliction of emotional distress is a tort claim of recent origin for intentional conduct that results in extreme emotional distress. Some courts and commentators have substituted mental for emotional, but the tort is the same...
. The concerned parties appeared in court in April 2009.
On October 28, 2005, Game was charged with disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct is a criminal charge in most jurisdictions in the United States. Typically, disorderly conduct makes it a crime to be drunk in public, to "disturb the peace", or to loiter in certain areas. Many types of unruly conduct may fit the definition of disorderly conduct, as such...
and resisting arrest in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
. At one point, police said his companions were pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
ed when they surrounded officers in a threatening manner. Mall security officers said the rapper was wearing a full-face Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
mask, filming shoppers, cursing loudly, and refused to leave when asked. Game continued to act up and was arrested, a police statement said. Game claimed that officers overreacted and that he did nothing wrong when he was pepper sprayed by the mall security. The five officers involved in the incident ended up suing Game for defamation, which has yet to be taken to court.
On May 11, 2007, Game was arrested at his home reportedly in connection with an incident at a basketball game in South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
in February 2007. He is alleged to have threatened a person with a gun. The arrest took place after his home was searched for three hours. Game was released early the next day after posting $50,000 bail. On January 9, 2008, a Los Angeles judge scheduled February 4 as the beginning date for Game's trial on assault and weapons charges. After pleading no contest
Nolo contendere
is a legal term that comes from the Latin for "I do not wish to contend." It is also referred to as a plea of no contest.In criminal trials, and in some common law jurisdictions, it is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of...
to a felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
weapons charge on February 11, Game was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 150 hours of community service, and three years probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
.
Game was refused entry to Canada for alleged gang ties in LA; concert organisers said he was associated with the Bloods.
On August 12,2011 rapper The Game decided to tweet his search for a supposed internship opening. In the message sent to his over 580,000 followers he posted the number to call as the emergency line for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The Game's fans jammed the line for hours. Initially, The Game denied any wrongdoing saying the tweet was "a mistake." The Game then posted a message saying the sheriff's department can "track a tweet down but you can't solve murders!" A criminal investigation was launched stating that the The Game could be charged for obstruction of justice. Despite all of this, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department issued this statement, "Based upon our investigation, as well as consultation with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the LASD considers the criminal investigation into this matter closed. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will not be seeking criminal charges.” The Game issued an apology on CNN saying, "My sincerest apologies to the Sheriff's Department, it was a joke gone wrong.”
Tattoos
Game has many tattoos on his body. He has deceased rapper Eazy-EEazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
on his right forearm and has a graveyard under it in which the headstones say 2Pac, Jam Master Jay & Eazy. Under his left eye he has a teardrop and behind his left ear has a tattoo that says "HCT 6 30 03" which is a reference to his son Harlem Caron Taylor who was born on June 30, 2003. On the left side of his neck he has his The Game logo and under it he has the Black Wallstreet logo. Under his right eye he had a tattoo of a Butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
but covered it with the L.A. Dodgers logo and a red star around it. Under his right ear he has the Converse All-Star logo and under it he has CBP which stands for Cedar Block Piru. On his upper chest he has Hate It or Love It
Hate It or Love It
"Hate It or Love It" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, featuring vocals from fellow G-Unit member at the time rapper 50 Cent. It was released as the third official single from The Game's debut studio album The Documentary , from record labels Aftermath...
. On the right side of his chest he has a tattoo that says N.W.A. On the left side of his chest he has a Bandana
Bandana
Bandana can refer to:*Another name for a kerchief*Bandana *Bandana *Bandana, Kentucky, a small town in the United States*Y Bandana, a Welsh alternative rock band.**Y Bandana , their self-titled debut album....
. On his stomach he has "Stretch" which used to be his nickname because he was tall. On his right shoulder he has KJ and under it he has Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
as an Angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
. On his lower right forearm he has "Wallstreet" while on his other one has "The Black". On his right arm he has a tribute to his deceased friend "Billboard". On his right hand he has Chuck while his other hand has Taylor a reference to Chuck Taylor and Game's nickname. On his lower left forearm he has a Pigeon and above it a Clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
. On his left elbow he has his Hurricane shoes logo and under it has G-Unot a reference to his feud with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
& G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
.
Discography
Studio albums- The DocumentaryThe DocumentaryThe Documentary is the debut studio album by West Coast rapper Game, released on January 18, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. After recovering from a shooting in late 2001, The Game pursued a rap career and was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to his...
(2005) - Doctor's Advocate (2006)
- LAX (2008)
- The R.E.D. AlbumThe R.E.D. AlbumThe 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...
(2011) - Soundtrack to Chaos (2012)
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2006 | Waist Deep Waist Deep Waist Deep is a 2006 drama-action film directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall, starring Tyrese Gibson and Meagan Good. It is loosely based on the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, including some similar subplots including the two main characters on the road, trying to avoid police, and committing bank... |
Big Meat | |
| 2006 | Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club | G | |
| 2008 | Street Kings | Grill | |
Awards and nominations
|-|rowspan="7"|2005
|rowspan="4"|The Game
|BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
– Best New Artist
BET Award for Best New Artist
The BET Award for Best New Artist is given to an artist who made their debut the previous or same year of the awards ceremony. A former group member can be nominated for the award if they have made their solo debut. For example, Omarion was a member of the hip hop quartet B2K from 2001 until 2004...
|
|-
|Billboard Music Awards – Rap Artist of the Year
|
|-
|Billboard Music Awards – New Artist of the Year
|
|-
|MTV Video Music Award – Best New Artist in a Video
MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist
The MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist is one of the four original general categories that have been given out since the first annual MTV Video Music Awards in 1984...
– "Dreams
Dreams (The Game song)
"Dreams" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, from his debut album, The Documentary. It was released as the fourth official single from the album. The song was produced by Kanye West and features a sample of "No Money Down" by soul music singer Jerry Butler...
"
|
|-
|"How We Do" (feat. 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
)
|Billboard Music Awards – Rap Song of the Year
|
|-
|rowspan="4"|"Hate It or Love It
Hate It or Love It
"Hate It or Love It" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, featuring vocals from fellow G-Unit member at the time rapper 50 Cent. It was released as the third official single from The Game's debut studio album The Documentary , from record labels Aftermath...
" (feat. 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
)
|BET Awards – Best Collaboration
BET Award for Best Collaboration
The BET Award for Best Collaboration honors rap collaborations, R&B collaborations or Rap/Sung collaborations.The Award was first introduce in the 2003 ceremony. This category has produced many Grammy-winning/nominated collaborations. Below are a those collaboration that earned a Grammy win or...
|
|-
|MTV Video Music Award – Best Rap Video
MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video was first given out in 1989, and it was one the four original genre categories added at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. This award was last given out in 2006, as MTV did not bring it back in 2008 like it did with other genre awards...
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|Grammy Awards – Best Rap Song
Grammy Award for Best Rap Song
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Song was first awarded in 2004. It is a songwriting award given to all who wrote the lyrics and music of the song. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year...
|
|-
|Grammy Awards – Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
|
|-
|2007
|Doctor's Advocate
|Ozone Awards
Ozone Magazine
Ozone magazine is known as the southern voice for hip hop music. It represents the "dirty South".Ozone Magazine was founded in Orlando, Florida, in 2002. It has since expanded its reach nationally. In 2006 the magazine relocated its headquarters to Atlanta...
– Best West Coast Rap Album
|
|-
|2008
|The Game
|Ozone Awards – Best West Coast Rap Artist
|
|}
External links
- Game at Ning