Compton's own
the Game (aka
Hurricane Game) issued his debut LP, The Documentary, in 2004 through Aftermath/G Unit/Universal. With everyone from
Dr. 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 geographic squabbles weren't a part of
the Game's agenda. Rapping hadn't been at first, either. Having gotten involved in the drug trade after a rough childhood, it took being shot during a home invasion to cause an epiphany in
the Game. Inspired by
N.W.A, The Chronic, Doggystyle, and classic albums from
2Pac,
the Notorious B.I.G., and
Jay-Z,
the Game began rapping in 2001 and never looked back. His barbed and bold freestyles caught the ear of
Dre, who signed him to Aftermath in 2003 and executive produced his debut. It was delayed a few times, but The Documentary finally dropped in January 2005. Soon
the 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.
Dr. Dre was stuck in the middle, and while he never publicly denounced
the Game, he passed on working with the rapper for his next effort. Despite
Dre's absence,
the Game's sophomore release kept its original title of Doctor's Advocate when it was released in late 2006. Two years later, LAX was released. With fewer mentions of
Dr. Dre and
50 Cent, the uneven album found the rapper moving on from his previous obsessions. After periods of retirement talk, the MC had a change of heart and recorded The R.E.D. Album ("R.E.D." being short for "rededicated"), released in 2009. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
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The R.E.D. Album
LAX