The Game (1979- )

US rap artist. He is known for his audacious, raw, and freestyle rapping. The Documentary, his autobiographical debut gangsta rap album, topped the rap album charts upon its release in 2005. Singles include ‘Higher’, ‘Fresh '83’, ‘How We Do’, ‘Hate It or Love It’, and ‘Dreams’.

The album includes collaborations with a number of rap and hip hop artists, for example former N.W.A. member Dr Dre, 50 Cent, and Kanye West. He released the indie album Untold Story in 2004, shortly before The Documentary.

He was born and grew up in Compton, California, the birthplace of gangsta rap, in a neighbourhood filled with gang violence. Dubbed ‘The Game’ by his grandmother, who said he was game for anything, he was placed in foster care as a child and was involved in drug gangs from an early age. He was a star basketball during high school and received a basketball scholarship to Washington State University, but left during his freshman year after drug trafficking allegations. After surviving gunshot wounds from a drug-related robbery at his home, he decided to change his life and become a rapper in 2001. He was signed by Dr Dre to his Aftermath Entertainment label in 2003.