The Game (rapper)
The Game | |
|---|---|
| File:Bjillyjoe.jpg Grammy nominated rapper The Game | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Compton, California |
| Years active | 2002-present (solo) |
Jayceon Terrell Taylor known as The Game, (born November 29, 1979 in Compton, California) is a rapper signed to Aftermath Entertainment [1]. The Game is proving to be a driving force in bringing back the West coast hip hop scene and compete with many of his East Coast counterparts.
Biography
The Game was born and raised in Compton, California Known to be Piru Blood gang member, he grew up in a Crips' neighborhood known to be Santana Blocc. The rapper's nickname is said to have been coined by his grandmother, who supposedly said that he was always "game" for anything. The Game was shot 5 times after a failed drug deal in 2001. While recovering in the hospital he decided to pursue a career in the rap world. The Game stated that he studied various rap albums in order to develop a strategy to become the greatest. After being signed independently to JT the Bigga Figga, The Game was soon discovered by Dr. Dre.
The Game was originally signed as an artist on Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre decided to have The Game work with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The arrangement was to help build a growing buzz around The Game which would also fuel interest in G-Unit. Dr Dre, and 50 Cent were executive producers on The Game's debut album, The Documentary. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard music charts and spawned hit singles such as "How We Do," "Hate It or Love It," and "Dreams."
The original title of the album was Nigga Wit' An Attitude Volume 1, 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.
Controversy
The Game has a number of rivals, such as Suge Knight, Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek of Roc-A-Fella Records, Yukmouth, Joe Budden, and even labelmate 50 Cent.
Joe Budden
50 Cent criticized Budden's album for "lacking street credibility." Joe Budden took offense and released various insults directed at G-Unit. On a mixtape in early 2004, Budden attacked a G-Unit track that featured The Game. During 2004, The Game made several records dissing Joe Budden, notoriously the track "Buddens." The Game threatened Joe Budden and supposedly flew to New York to confront him. Joe Budden mocked The Game's appearance on the dating game show "Change of Heart" in which he sported a tongue ring. On his web site, The Game defended his embarrassing appearance on the show, saying that he was young and needed the money. Later, at a party in New York, the rappers mutually announced their intention to stop making hostile records about each other, but The Game has subsequently suggested in songs and videos that he won the feud. [2]
Yukmouth
Yukmouth had heard rumors of The Game making disrespectful comments after being spotted at a party. The rapper released a song aimed at The Game. Soon a video surfaced on the Internet in which Yukmouth appeared in a studio with rapper Domination, who was making a disrespectful song aimed at G-Unit. At the end of the clip, Yukmouth claims that The Game has a tongue ring. The Game fired back with a record dissing the rap veteran. Yukmouth responded with two tracks and a music video featuring an impersonator of The Game. Both songs referred to the Change of Heart and tongue ring incidents. Yukmouth released a mixtape called "All Out War," attacking The Game on several tracks. The two tried to bury the hatchet and even recorded a song together. The track, which each artist recorded separately did little to this effect. [3]
Death Row
Dr. Dre's old nemesis Suge Knight has an ongoing feud with The Game. Yukmouth claimed that The Game had been slapped by Suge Knight. The Game responded on his website, saying that if Suge Knight had ever touched him, he would put him "6 feet under." After the 2005 BET Awards, associates of Death Row had their invitations to a party hosted by Ciara rescinded. Supposedly, a member of Death Row had tried to steal The Game's chain. The Game stated on his Black Wall Street web site that he dislikes Suge Knight because of "the lives he has endangered." In Miami for the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Suge Knight was shot and wounded at Kanye West's party by an unknown gunman.[4] The Game vigorously denied involvement in the shooting, but the incident renewed efforts to pacify hip hop feuds and The Game has consequently been discouraged from attending certain events in hopes of averting retaliation.[5]
Previously The Game, Steve Harvey, and various representatives of California's rap cliques formed a West Coast "peace treaty" supposedly ending the rivalry between Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight that began when they left Death Row Records. Although none of these individuals attended the discussions, The Game represented Dre and Harvey represented Knight. This feud has persisted in spite of the West Coast Peace Treaty. [6]
Roc-A-Fella and Jay-Z
This feud grew out of an earlier rivalry with Memphis Bleek over the name of his label. The label was similar to the one to which The Game had been previously signed. On the single "Westside Story," The Game raps that he "don't do button-up shirts or drive Maybachs," many believed this diss was aimed at Jay-Z. On the radio, Jay-Z retaliated by referring "game" while rapping. The Game apparently felt that the rapper was discrediting him and made several remarks directed at Roc-A-Fella Records. In an interview with Ed Lover and Moni Love, The Game said the Maybach line on "Westside Story" was actually a diss at Ja Rule, he also said he has a lot of respect for Jay-Z and would never diss legends. Jay-Z later insisted that "game" references were just about the rap game itself, not the rapper. The Game still addresses Memphis Bleek and the Young Gunz on songs but avoids dissing Kanye West and Jay-Z. There were rumors that Jay-Z was planning on "declaring war" on The Game and others at a concert in October 2005, but Jay-Z instead used the opportunity to make peace with rivals[7].
50 Cent and G-Unit
The Game currently has an escalating feud with 50 Cent. Fans mostly believed that the rapper was bonding with 50 Cent at the time of The Documentary's release. The Game's major debut album was surrounded by controversy. Right after its release, 50 Cent felt that the rapper was disloyal for saying he wanted to work with artists with whom G-Unit were feuding, and he formally dismissed the rapper.
50 Cent also claimed that he was not getting his proper credit for the debut of the album. During that dispute, a member of The Game's entourage was shot and wounded after confrontation at Hot 97.[8] After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and The Game decided to hold a press conference to announce their reconciliation [9]. Many fans felt that the supposed feud, and particularly the incident at the radio station was a publicity stunt designed to boost the sales of the two albums the pair had just released [10]. Nevertheless, even after the situation had apparently deflated, 50 Cent and G-Unit continued to feud with The Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claiming that without their support, he will not score a hit from his second album. 50 Cent also sued The Game's manager Jimmy Henchmen over unauthorized filming for a documentary about Kelvin Martin, the original 50 Cent. The Game during a performance at the Summer Jam launched "G-Unot" [11].
After the performance at Summer Jam, The Game responded with "300 Bars and Runnin'", a hard hitting diss going at G-Unit as well as members of Roc-A-Fella Records and others. 50 Cent had mixed feelings about the situations and placed blame on Dr. Dre for his slow response to end the feud. Nevertheless responded through his "Piggybank" video, which features The Game dressed as a Mr. Potato Head and parodies many other rivals. 50 Cent has recently responded to the rapper's rebutals with a diss song titled "Not Rich, Still Lyin." The song imitates The Game and attacks his credibility and his recent feud with his brother, former manager Big Fase 100. The Game has recently replied to mixtapes recordings aimed at G-Unit with the song "240 Bars (Spider Joke)" which goes at new G-Unit artist Spider Loc and recently Mobb Deep and M.O.P.. [12]. This was the first of many feuds where two rappers from the same label were involved against each other.
The Radio One Incident
While promoting his debut album, The Game was in Washington, D.C., with his manager, Jimmy Henchmen. They were being interviewed on WKYS-FM by DJ Zxulu and by the Hip Hop Zone's Kwasi Jones. A comment made by Zxulu about the earpiece Henchmen was wearing started a confrontation with 20 members of The Game's entourage. Zxulu and Jones were injured and hospitalized. The incident at the radio station caused Radio One to ban The Game's music from its stations in major markets. The ban was lifted after The Game and his Black Wall Street group issued an apology to the radio station. The remix of the single "Hate It or Love It" featured The Game rapping, "I'm rap's MVP/Don't make me remind ya'll what happened in D.C." Jones apparently sued The Game for $280 million over the song and the incident itself, but the suit was thrown out and never came to trial. Prince George's County authorities filed assault and battery charges against The Game. [13]
Other Controversies
The Game also attacked Compton rapper Guerilla Black for exploiting his rise to fuel his and other West Coast acts. Both rappers are represented by Henchmen's Czar Management agency.
The Game stated on "Don't Need Your Love" his dislike for The Source, and he also recorded a scathing freestyle rap with Malice, a white rapper from the northern Bay Area, responding to the long-standing feud between Benzino and Eminem and taking Eminem's side. Benzino has replied on the song "Look Into My Eyes" his reply to Eminem's "Like Toy Soldiers". The Source believes that Dr. Dre and 50 Cent encourage the rapper to feud with the magazine.
On an appearance for the MTV show Punk'd, The Game went into a studio to record tracks for his new album. Construction workers moved into the driveway of the studio and began repaving it. The Game did not know that the parking lot was going to be closed for couple of days, until he came out from the studio. The Game tossed a bench, a chair, and a broom onto the wet concrete in order to cross over the concrete. They were asked to remove the benches and chair, but one man tried to escape with a Cadillac until his car was stuck inside the concrete. The Game talked to the construction guys until Ashton Kutcher pulled the plug on this prank.
While On Tour
The Game and Snoop Dogg joined the promoted tour "How The West Was One." They made a stop in Seattle, and a supposed fan came onstage and approached Snoop Dogg, setting off a brawl between 12 members of bodyguards. The incident was captured on a home video that appears to show the fan leaning his arm on Snoop Dogg's shoulder during a performance of the song "Gin and Juice." The bodyguards respond by wrestling the man to the floor and repeatedly punching and kicking the fan. Some members of the audience claim that Snoop Dogg invited fans onstage to perform with him, and there are other reports that The Game punched or kicked the fan during the incident. Representatives of the venue have defended the performers' bodyguards, stating that the safety of the performers is always a high priority and that fans are not permitted on stage.
In North Carolina, The Game was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. At one point, police said, his companions were sprayed with pepper spray when they surrounded officers in a threatening manner. The Greensboro police had warned him to not videotape at a mall and was it was believed that the rapper had behaved disruptively and used foul language. The Game was videotaping shoppers and it caused concern for the police. Mall security officers said the rapper was wearing a full-face Halloween mask and cursing loudly, and refused to leave when asked. When police arrived, The Game continued to act up and was arrested, a police statement said. The Game claimed that officers overreacted. A video has been linked over the internet detailing the full event. The Game claims to have been giving a young girl an autograph when he was peppered sprayed by the mall security.[14]
Life After G-Unit
Within the rap community, many of The Game's fans felt that the diss song entitled "300 Bars and Runnin'" was the diss that destroyed the credibility of 50 Cent and G-Unit. While it addressing his labelmates, The Game made clear that his attacks are also meant for Memphis Bleek, Benzino, and the Young Gunz. The Game chose to distance himself from addressing Jay-Z and Dr. Dre as well as others on this single. Although it's unclear whether or not the feud is squashed, but as of today The Game still feuds with various G-Unit and Roc-A-Fella artists. The song is considered a first for it being the only song by far to last almost 15 minutes through various instrumentals from many of hip-hop's elite. The fans consider this single a major success to the rapper's career. [15]
The Game planned on releasing a mixtape and DVD titled "Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin'", and is said to be the last of the "beef" between him and G-Unit. On the prequel to "300 Bars and Runnin'" the rapper released the final diss towards G-Unit. The single "120 Bars" and the DVD discloses that the song would be the end of the feud between him and his rivals. The "Stop Snitchin', Stop Lyin'" DVD contains controversial images and is proposed to be an insider's look at what occurred after being dropped from G-Unit including the beginnings of the "G-Unot" movement. It was finally released in January 2006 after a few set backs.
Trivia
- The nicknames The Game goes by include Chuck Taylor, Hurricane and California Kid.
- The Game's first child is named Harlem Caron Taylor.
- The Game has been chosen to play and has bought a large selection of shares for the Inglewood Cobras, an ABA franchise basketball team. [16]
- The Game's height is 6'4".
- The Game has multiple tattoos on his body including a homage to Eazy E, NWA, The Black Wall Street.
- The Game is the voice of B-Dup, a character featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
- The Game is said to be still signed to G-Unit while feuding with 50 Cent, however he has recently finished legal agreements in leaving the label.
- The Game also has tattooed G-Unot under his left arm as a dissent towards 50 Cent.
- The Game is probably the most recognizable rapper known to make multiple namedrops while recording songs.
Discography
Albums
- Untold Story - [Released by JT Tha Bigga Figga]
- Untold Story Vol.2 - [Released by JT Tha Bigga Figga]
- West Coast Resurrection - [Released by JT Tha Bigga Figga]
- The Documentary - (2005) #1 US, *RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum ,#7 UK, (5 million worldwide)
- The Doctor's Advocate - (2006)
Mixtapes
- BigFase 100 Presents - The Chronicles - (2002)
- You Know What It Is Vol. 1
- You Know What It Is Vol. 2
- You Know What It Is Vol. 3 - (2005)
- Ghost Unit - (2005)
- Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin' - (2005)
- The Game Uncovered
DVD
Video games
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, voice - (2004)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/ Hip Hop | US Rap | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2004 | "Westside Story" (feat. 50 Cent) | #93 | #8 | ?? | ?? | The Documentary |
| 2004 | "How We Do" (feat. 50 Cent) | #4 | #2 | #2 | #5 | The Documentary |
| 2005 | "Hate It or Love It" (feat. 50 Cent) | #2 | #1 (2 weeks) | #1 (4 weeks) | #4 | The Documentary |
| 2005 | "Dreams" | #32 | #12 | #5 | #8 | The Documentary |
| 2005 | "Put You on the Game" | #96 | #12 | ?? | #46 | The Documentary |
Popular Singles
- "Playa's Only" (R. Kelly feat. The Game) - 5]]) #65 US, #33 UK
- "MVP" (Mary J. Blige feat. The Game & 50 Cent) - (2005) #75 US
- "Dead Bodies" (The Alchemist feat. The Game & Prodigy)
- "Stomp" (Young Buck feat. The Game & Ludacris)
- "Hate It or Love It (Remix)" (50 Cent feat. The Game, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo & Young Buck)
- "Growing Up In The Hood" (feat. Obie Trice)
- "1970 Somethin" (feat. Notorious B.I.G.)