The Game: November 2010

The Game (born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, 29.11.1979)

The Game is an American rapper. His album, The Documentary, propelled his initial rise to fame and he has since received two Grammy Award nominations.

The Game: Childhood

The Game was born in Los Angeles and raised in Compton, California. When he became involved in gang activity, The Game was initially a member of The Crips, but soon swapped allegiance to their rival gang, The Bloods.

Taylor attended Compton High School and won a basketball scholarship to Washington State University but was expelled in his first term, after being caught with drugs. He turned to street culture at this point and looked up to his brother, 'Big Fase 100', who was the leader of the Cedar Block Pirus gang.

The Game: Musical Career

The Game, along with his brother, Big Fase 100, founded Black Wall Street Records. They released records by the likes of Vita, Glasses Malone and Nu Jerzey Devil. In 2002, The Game released his first mixtape, entitled 'You Know What It Is Vol.1.'

Later in 2002, The Game signed a deal with Get Low Recordz. He later signed a deal with Dr Dre's Aftermath Entertainment in 2003. The Game's debut album, Untold Story, was released in 2004 and sold in excess of 300,000 copies in the first three months on sale. 'You Know What It Is Vol. 2' was released on his own label.

In order to create a buzz around a number of their hip-hop artists, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, of Aftermath Entertainment arranged for The Game to work with 50 Cent and G-Unit. The Game's first appearance on Aftermath was on Jim Jones' 'Certified Gangstas.' This was followed by his own single, 'Westside Story.' The Game was known to have a number of feuds with artists such as Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek and Lloyd Banks.

In 2005, The Game released The Documentary. The original title, Nigga Wit' An Attitude Volume 1 was changed, after Easy-E's widow objected to the use of N.W.A.'s name. The Documentary spawned hits such as 'How We Do' and 'Hate It Or Love It.'

The Game departed from Aftermath Entertainment, because of his feud with 50 Cent and the G-Unit crew. He released his second album, Doctor's Advocate on Geffen Records, in November 2006. This album was created without the help of Dr. Dre or 50 Cent but still went to number one in the US album charts and sold more than 358,000 copies in its first week alone.

The Game's third album, L.A.X. featured the single 'Game's Pain.' In July 2008, an announcement was made to the press that The Game would be joining Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC.

The game: Personal Life

The Game has a son, Harlem Caron Taylor (b. 2003). He was set to marry Valeisha Butterfield, the actress daughter of Congressman G.K. Butterfield. However, in June 2006, the engagement was called off.

The Game's second son, King Justice (b. 2007) was born to Tiffany Webb.

The Game has had a number of ongoing public feuds. Amongst the people with whom he is known to have had 'beef' are Jay Z, Roc-A-Fella Records, Yukmouth and Suge Knight.

In October 2005, The Game was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. The Game argued that he was wrongfully arrested and the police officers involved in the arrest have stated that they intend to sue him for defamation.

The Game was arrested again in May 2007, when he was alleged to have threatened somebody with a gun at a basketball game. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison, as well as receiving three years probation and 150 hours of community service.