THE GAME | LIVE PREVIEW
Tramshed, Cardiff, Thurs 6 Feb
Compton rapper The Game comes to the Tramshed this month with what’s rumoured to be his farewell tour, having announced his latest album Born 2 Rap was to be his last. The West Coast lyricist was signed to Dr Dre’s Aftermath label after being spotted in early 2004, rising to fame in 2005 with the release of debut album The Documentary, which went double platinum in March of that year.
The Game, aka Jayceon Terrell Taylor, was a major part in bringing the West Coast rap scene back into the mainstream with hits such as Westside Story, How We Do and Church For Thugs. A fallout with fellow Dre prodigy 50 Cent saw The Game being disassociated with Dre’s label, meaning the mainstream commercial success of The Documentary was never matched thereafter. Nevertheless, The Game went on to have success with Geffen Records, albums two to four all debuting at the top of the Billboard charts, and eventually set up his own label Blood Money Entertainment.
If the tour mirrors the album then this will be a fine swansong indeed. Born 2 Rap brings all the nostalgia of early 00s rap, big on 808 beats and namedropping. He rehashes past beefs quite frequently but still manages to show his growth with many a philosophical undertone. It is clear The Game wants to be remembered as anything other than just another gangsta rapper.
Tickets: £29.50. Info: 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshedcardiff.com
words DENIECE CUSACK
