Who is Jayceon Terrell Taylor you would probably know him as the Game. He was born November 29, 1979 in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Compton, California. He spent his later life living in a primarily Crip gang neighborhood known as Santana Blocc, although he grew up to become a member of the Bloods. In an October 2006 interview with MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway, The Game described his family as "dysfunctional" and claimed that his father molested one of his sisters. After graduating from Compton High School in 1999, Taylor briefly attended Washington State University on a basketball scholarship but was expelled during his first semester because of drug allegations. It was then that he started fully embracing street life and turned towards selling drugs and gang banging. At the age of eighteen, he began to follow his older half brother, "Big Fase 100", who was the leader of the Cedar Block Pirus.
The Game began studying various influential rap albums, and developed a strategy to become a rapper himself and with help from Big Fase, they founded The Black Wall Street Records. The label originally featured such artists as Glasses Malone, Vita, and Nu Jerzey Devil, along with The Game himself. His stage name was coined by his grandmother. The Game first gained prominence when he attended a hip-hop summit hosted by
Russell Simmons and Louis Farrakhan, releasing his first mixtape You Know What It Is Vol. 1 in 2002, followed by a record deal with the independent label, Get Low Recordz owned by JT the Bigga Figga. Originally Sean Combs of Bad Boy Records was going to sign him to his label, but The Game's mixtape found the attention of famed producer Dr. Dre, who signed him to Aftermath Entertainment in 2003. In October 2004, he released his first album Untold Story through Get Low Recordz, which sold over 300,000 copies within its first three months.The album featured artists like Sean T, Young Noble (of the Outlawz), and JT the Bigga Figga.The Game also appeared on various mixtapes hosted by DJ's such as DJ Kayslay, DJ Whoo Kid, and DJ Clue. 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 on a song produced by Fredwreck called "Can't Stop Me".
The Game was originally signed as an artist on
Aftermath Entertainment, but Interscope Records CEO Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre decided to have The Game also work with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The arrangement was to help build a growing buzz around The Game which would also fuel interest in G-Unit. Since then, he made numerous cameo appearances in music videos by 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, and Fabolous, first appearing on the music video of "In da Club", dancing with a girl. Even at this early stage in his career, he was embroiled in rap feuds associated with G-Unit, including those with Joe Budden, Ja Rule, and Memphis Bleek. His first appearance on a single was on Jim Jones' "Certified Gangstas", before his own single "Westside Story" was released in 2004.
At the 2007 Hip Hop Jam festival in the Czech RepublicThe original title of the album was 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. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent were executive producers on The Game's major label debut album, The Documentary, which 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.[22] It also debuted at number seven in the United Kingdom and sold over five million copies worldwide.
Due to his disputes with 50 Cent, The Game left Aftermath Entertainment and signed with Geffen Records 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 The Game to prove that he is able to make good music and be a successful artist without the help of Dr. Dre or 50 Cent. He is also working on getting his own label, The Black Wall Street Records, signed to a distribution label. While The Game originally claimed Dr. Dre would still do production on the album in the November issue of XXL magazine,[24] 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[25] (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 in the U.S., selling over 358,000 copies its first week.[26]
In May 2007, The Game said while filming Beef IV that his third album, L.A.X., would be his last, explaining that three albums will be enough to have allowed him to "[get his] point across".[27] "Game's Pain" was the album's first single.[28]
However, The Game said he may release a fourth album titled D.O.C. or Diary of Compton.[29]
It was announced on July 15, 2008 that The Game might be replacing Mack 10 as a member of rap group Westside Connection. With the other members being Ice Cube and WC.[30]
Recently, Game said that a collaboration album with former G-Unit member, Young Buck may be in the works.[31]
The Game has ventured into areas outside of rap. He was chosen to play and had bought a large selection of shares for the now defunct Inglewood Cobras, an ABA franchise team. The 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 has been filming at least two more movies.The 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.
With Kool G Rap (left) in New York, November 2006
Personal life
The Game's first son is named Harlem Caron Taylor and was born on June 30, 2003. Baron Davis, a basketball team mate in high school,[12] and current NBA all-star was named Harlem's godfather.[35] The Los Angeles Times reported that as of 2006, The Game is a resident of Glendale, California after purchasing a home in the Kenneth Village neighborhood. The 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.[36]
At that time the Game very pregnant girlfriend Tiffany (former substitute teacher). Word is she is the chick that caused the breakup between him and his ex-fiance Valeisha Butterfield.
In February 2007, he welcomed his second son, King Justice, on April 25, 2007. The Game is one of many celebrities to have a PSN account, under the PSN name L-A-X after his 2008 album. He has posted a video on Youtube inviting fellow online players to play him in Madden NFL 09, and to "Get your ass whipped."
Controversies
It has been suggested that some of the information in this article's Criticism or Controversy section(s) be merged into other sections to achieve a more neutral presentation. (Discuss)
Even before releasing his debut album, The Game was involved in feuds with many rappers. He previously had rivalries with Suge Knight of Death Row Records, Ja Rule, Joe Budden, Yukmouth, as well as Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, and the Young Gunz of Roc-A-Fella Records. The most prominent rivalry he had was with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The Game has also had minor feuds with Xzibit, Ja Rule, Guerilla Black, Bishop Lamont, Domination, Benzino, and model Vida Guerra (see "Wouldn't Get Far").
The feud with Joe Budden
began when 50 Cent criticized his album for "lacking street credibility". Joe Budden took offense and released various insults at G-Unit. The Game previously did a freestyle for DJ Clue and Joe Budden used the end of the freestyle without notifying The Game. While on the end, Joe Budden took shots at G-Unit. In defense, The Game made several records against the rapper, most notoriously the track "Buddens". Joe Budden mocked The Game's appearance on the dating game show Change of Heart. The Game has consistently defended his appearance on the show. Later, at a party in New York, the rappers mutually announced their intention to stop making hostile records about each other,[38] but The Game has subsequently suggested in songs and videos that he won the feud.
The beef ended after the Game and Budden performed together in August of 2008.
Yukmouth first met The Game at a club
and at the time, Yukmouth was engaged in a feud with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The Game released a diss track aimed at the rapper over the beat of "I Got 5 on It", a song which Yukmouth recorded when he was a part of Luniz.[40] Yukmouth responded with a track that mocked The Game's appearance on Change of Heart. The two later tried to bury the hatchet due to a personal friend and even recorded a song together named "Peace". However, the beef continued afterward, since The Game dissed Yukmouth on "Peace" (they recorded their verses separately).[41] Since then, Yukmouth responded by releasing a freestyle music video over Fabolous' "Breathe" single. In the video, there is a look-a-like of the rapper getting robbed and beaten up. In that song, Yukmouth claimed that The Game had a tongue ring and was slapped by mogul Suge Knight. Since the West Coast Peace Conference, both rappers ended the feud.
Death Row Records
Dr. Dre's old nemesis Suge Knight
had an ongoing feud with The Game stemming from when Yukmouth claimed that The Game had been slapped by Suge Knight. The Game responded on his website, saying that if Suge Knight had ever touched him, he would be "six feet under". After the 2005 BET Awards, associates of Death Row had their invitations to a party hosted by Ciara rescinded. Supposedly, a member of Death Row tried to steal The Game's chain. The Game stated on his Black Wall Street website 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.[42] 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.[43] Later, The Game and various representatives of California's rap cliques formed a West Coast "peace treaty" to end many rivalries between West Coast rappers.[44] Although Suge Knight did not attend, he and The Game declared their feud over.
Roc-A-Fella Records
The feud between The 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 The Game was previously signed to (Get Low Recordz). On the single "Westside Story", The Game raps that "I don't do button-up shirts or drive maybachs", which was perceived as being directed towards Jay-Z. 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 The Game.[45] The Game responded and made several remarks directed at Roc-A-Fella Records.
While The Game was feuding with
Roc-A-Fella artists, his first album featured production from Kanye West and Just Blaze,[46] two Roc-A-Fella producers. In an interview with Ed Lover and Monie Love, The Game said the Maybach line on "Westside Story" was referring to Ja Rule. He also said he has a lot of respect for Jay-Z and would never take shots at a legend. Jay-Z later insisted that the "game" references were just about the rap game itself, not the rapper. The Game still addressed Memphis Bleek and Young Gunz on some songs, but the feud between them cooled off. There were rumors that Jay-Z was planning on "declaring war" on The Game and others at a concert. He instead used the opportunity to make peace with many of his rivals.[47] In 2008, The Game wanted to beef with Jay-Z because "his beef is mediocre beef."
G-Unit
Main article: G-Unit vs. The Game feud
In early 2005, The Game began a feud with G-Unit. Even before The Game's first album was released and their feud became public, there was tension between
The Game and 50 Cent.[48] Soon after The Documentary's release, 50 Cent felt that the rapper's actions in the strip club was 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 and he claimed that he wrote six of the songs, but The Game denied that. During that dispute, a member of The Game's entourage was shot after a confrontation at the Hot 97 studio in New York City. After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and The Game held a press conference to announce their reconciliation.[50] 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.[49] Nevertheless, even after the situation had apparently deflated,[51] G-Unit continued to feud with The Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claimed that without their support, he will not score a hit from his second album. The Game responded during a performance at Summer Jam and launched a boycott of G-Unit called "G-Unot".[52]
After the performance at Summer Jam, The Game responded with "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. 50 Cent responded through his "Piggy Bank" music video, which features The Game as a Mr. Potato Head doll and also parodies other rivals.[53] Since then both groups continued to attack each other. The 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 The Game.[54] In addition, G-Unit started to respond on numerous mixtapes and new G-Unit member Spider Loc began dissing The Game. The Game responded with "240 Bars (Spider Joke)",[54] a song mainly aimed at Spider Loc, but also addressing Tony Yayo and rap group M.O.P.,[54] and on the song "The Funeral 100 Bars".
In October 2006,
The Game extended a peace treaty to 50 Cent, which was not immediately replied to.[55] However, a couple days later on Power 106, he stated that the treaty was only offered for one day.[56] On The Game's album Doctor's Advocate, he says the beef 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. The Game responded with "Body Bags" on You Know What It Is Vol. 4.[57] Since Young Buck was dismissed from G-Unit by 50 Cent, there has been interviews from both The Game & Young Buck stating they never had a problem with each other. In an interview Young Buck says he is aware of The Game's support and says that is real love because Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo haven't reached out to him.[58]. Young Buck is set to feature on The Game's upcoming mixtape "You Know What It Is Vo.5: Baggage Claim"
Other feuds
Lil Eazy-E, a young rapper and son of rapper Eazy-E,
was also in a feud with The 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 expressed his anger over what he felt was The Game misusing his father's name. The Game responded by claiming that Lil' Eazy-E is trying to establish himself off the success he had made since releasing The Documentary.[59] The Game responded on "120 Bars" where he claimed that Lil' Eazy-E does not write his own lyrics.[60] However, The Game states on the same track that he would rather not feud with Lil' Eazy-E due to the deep respect he feels for his father. Lil' Eazy-E later responded with "They Know Me". On October 30, 2006, The Game went on KDAY and said that he and Lil' Eazy-E have ended their feud.
The Game had a falling out
with his manager and half-brother Big Fase 100. The rapper claimed that Big Fase 100 extorted him out of over $1.5 million,[61] and felt that his influence was holding him back. Later in interviews, Big Fase 100 attacked The Game's street credibility, claiming that him being a "certified gangsta" is fabricated.[61] The manager went on to claim that the supposed gangster life is based on his own life and blamed selfishness on The Game's part as the main reason of their falling out. The Game and his brother have since made up and are on good terms.
A confrontation between The Game
and Ras Kass took place at Club Element in Los Angeles.[62] The stories are different from each party, but what is known is that The Game approached Ras Kass over a song that Ras Kass made regarding The Game's son and asked him to take back what he said, but he refused. The Game's entourage claimed that The Game punched and knocked out Ras Kass. The story from Ras Kass' representatives was that he walked away and got hit by a bottle in the head and then The Game's crew jumped him, but he escaped with just a black eye.
Legal issues
On October 28, 2005,
The Game was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in Greensboro. At one point, police said his companions were pepper sprayed when they surrounded officers in a threatening manner.[63] Mall security officers said the rapper was wearing a full-face Halloween mask, filming shoppers, cursing loudly, and refused to leave when asked. The Game continued to act up and was arrested, a police statement said. The Game claimed that officers overreacted and that he did nothing wrong when he was pepper sprayed by the mall security.[63] The five officers involved in the incident ended up suing The Game for defamation,[64] which has yet to be taken to court.
World Wrestling Entertainment made it public that they plan on suing The Game over the rights to his name, which is a secondary nickname for professional wrestler Triple H.
On May 11, 2007, The 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. The Game was released early the next day after posting $50,000 bail.[65] On January 9, 2008, a Los Angeles judge scheduled February 4 as the beginning date for The Game's trial on assault and weapons charges.[66] After pleading no contest to a felony weapons charge on February 11, The Game was sentenced to sixty days in jail, 150 hours of community service, and three years probation.[67]
Discography
: The Game discography
2005: The Documentary
2006: Doctor's Advocate
2008: L.A.X.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas B Dup Video game, voice only
Life in a Day: The DVD himself small role
2005 The Documentary DVD himself
Beef 3 himself small role
2006 Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin' DVD himself
Waist Deep Big Meat
Doctor's Advocate DVD himself
2007 Def Jam: Icon himself Video game, voice only
Tournament of Dreams —
Beef 4 himself small role
2008 Street Kings Grill
Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club G
Life After The Math himself
Awards
BET Awards
2005, Best New Artist [Nominated]
2005, Best Collaboration ("Hate It or Love It") with 50 Cent [Nominated]
Grammy Awards
2006, Best Rap Song ("Hate It or Love It") with 50 Cent [Nominated]
2006, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Hate It or Love It") with 50 Cent [Nominated]
MTV Video Music Awards
2005, Best Rap Video ("Hate It or Love It") with 50 Cent [Nominated]
Ozone Awards
2008, Best West Coast Rap Artist [Won]
2007, Best West Coast Rap Album ("Doctor's Advocate") [Won]
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