The Game was born and raised in the first birthplace of gangsta rap, Compton, California. He received his nickname from his grandmother, who said he was always "game on" for anything. His half-brother grew up in a different neighborhood and was an active member of the Cedar Block Piru Bloods. As their relationship grew, The Game also became a member of the Cedar Block Pirus, all while living in a Crip neighborhood. Eventually The Game got into the lifestyle of hustling with his brother. Car thefts, drug dealing and shootings prompted his mother to kick him out of the house. In 2000 he moved with his brother to the projects in a nearby town and took over the local drug trade. Late one night in October 2001, he was shot five times during a home invasion, and one bullet grazed his heart. While in the hospital, The Game decided to change his life, leave the past behind and pursue his dream of becoming a rapper. His brother encouraged him and told him that he always knew how to use words well. The Game began studying classic albums by great rappers such as Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, Nas and Jay-Z. Shortly thereafter, The Game was discovered by rap pioneer and former NWA member Dr. Dre, who signed The Game to his Aftermath Entertainment label. Before rapping, at 6'4" The Game was a basketball star at Compton High School. He received a basketball scholarship to Washington State University but was dismissed from the school his freshman year due to drug charges. .. He grew up with NBA star Baron Davis, who is now the godfather of The Game's son, Harlem Caron Taylor. The idea of ​​The Game with G-Unit was to help increase the popularity of one of the artists major in rap and hip-hop, and also primarily increase G-Unit's popularity on the West Coast Additionally, G-Unit's overall popularity even with Dr. Dre's support would help ensure that The Game had high album sales. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent were the producers of his debut album The Documentary, an album that explores The Game's life as he pursued a career in the rap industry. Although The Game is an established artist, he has already met some hip hop rivals: including Suge Knight and Death Row Records and Jay-Z. From Roc-A-Fella Records, Yukmouth, Memphis Bleek, Joe Budden and even mentor 50 Cent.