Compton rapper the Game emerged as one of the early-2000s rawest voices on the West Coast hip-hop scene, with intense autobiographical narratives and a hungry need to assert his lyrical presence. His forceful talent was established with his 2005 studio debut The Documentary, and the rapper moved tirelessly for the next decade-and-a-half, releasing a non-stop string of mixtapes, singles, and excellent albums including 2008's LAX, 2011's The R.E.D. Album, and 2019's Born 2 Rap. The Game was born Jayceon Terrell Taylor in Compton in 1979. Involved in the drug trade after a rough childhood, it took being shot during a home invasion to get him away from dealing drugs and into a life in music. Inspired by N.W.A, The Chronic, Doggystyle, and classic albums from 2Pac, the Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z, Game began rapping in 2001 and never looked back. His barbed and bold freestyles caught the ear of Dr. Dre, who brought the Game on as one of the first signees to his Aftermath Records roster in 2003 and executive-produced his debut. With everyone from Dre and 50 Cent to Nate Dogg, Kanye West, and Just Blaze contributing to the album, The Documentary made it clear from the outset that the then-heated geographic squabbles weren't a part of Game's agenda. Soon Game and 50 Cent were at war over the former's reluctance to beef with any and every enemy of G-Unit. Freestyles and mixtapes were spawned in amazing amounts from both sides, and every time a truce seemed possible, things fell apart at the last minute. Despite Dre's absence, Game's sophomore release kept its original title of Doctor's Advocate when it was released in late 2006. - AllMusic. Since, he's remained consistent and released some of the most complete bodies of work of any mainstream artist. Never one to shy away from beef (or a fight), The Game has stayed in it throughout his career, although mostly on wax and for entertainment. All in all, I'd argue The Game is one of the best lyricists and album-makers to come out of the West Coast since the '90s. Antics aside, I do enjoy his music and below are just a taste of my favorite joints... HBD! Dig into it...