You’ve got to wonder what rappers like The Game expect when they come to Ireland.
As he flits around Ballsbridge’s upmarket Four Seasons Hotel, the Compton, LA, star is constantly cocooned by burly bodyguards.
It’s as if, any second now, they expect one of the rich, elderly guests to whip out an AK-47 and start shooting.
This may sound hilarious and absurd. But it is the sort of behaviour one comes to expect from hip-hop entourages.
They are treated like royalty. Meeting them is a little like meeting a head of state. Security is tight. In fact, it’s over the top. Walking towards the Game’s suite, I'm greeted by three, heavily built security officials. Granny and her AK-47 wouldn’t have a chance.
It’s my second audience with hip-hop’s latest superstar. From the outset, it's clear it'll be better than our last. That was not a satisfactory affair, thanks to the constant intervention of an Interscope Records representative. Frequently, Game’s responses were pre-empted by a “Don’t answer that question” or “We’re not talking about that”.
The absence of a control-freak in a suit isn’t the only difference. Game is much warmer and welcoming than before. Gone are the huge gold chains, bling-bling watches and other assorted jewellery. In their place, sits an ordinarily dressed guy. He looks less The Game, and more like the man underneath, Jayceon Taylor.
“The Game is a costume. The Game is an entertainer,” he says. “I’m not saying that what The Game does is bullshit, because it’s obviously Jayceon Taylor’s life as told by The Game.”
Off-stage, he tries hard to be normal, he explains.
“I’ve no jewellery, no bling-bling, as you see. Right now, you’re getting Jayceon Taylor. I couldn’t give you The Game right now because I leave that until the stage or for TV or the fans. When it’s just me and you, it’s one on one and all questions are warranted. I’ll tell you whatever the fuck you want to know. So if you’ve got anything you want to know, ask away.”
It seems only right to begin with the recent war of words between The Game and 50 Cent. The “beef” is one of the big stories in hip hop this year. However, many have wondered how genuine the feud is.
“I’m just trying to protect my career man,” he states. “50 Cent has been mouthing off about me, and I’m just trying to do my thing and provide a future for my son.”
All The Game wants, he says, is to be left alone.
“I wish he’d just go do his thing as well, but you know I can’t let him and G-Unit try and bury my career.”
The beef has continued, he suggests, because for once Fiddy's met his match.
“I’m the biggest rapper in America and I’m not going to become a Ja Rule and lie there and take a beating. I’m going to fight back and I’m going to win through my music.”
The fighting back started violently. A week after our previous interview, 50 Cent claimed, live on New York radio, to have written half of The Game’s debut album.
Game, who was in the city at the time, raced over with his entourage and began firing gun shots at 50 and his crew. One man was seriously injured as a result.
A couple of weeks later, the two reconciled in front of the press. The feud has since erupted again.
Game says he wanted to get on with his career but that 50 kept insulting him in interviews. He has since retaliated with the hilarious ‘G-U Not’ t-shirts and by sending guys dressed as giant rats to various 50 Cent public appearances, apparently to suggest that Fiddy’s a snitch.
“In America, everyone calls 50 Cent a snitch,” Game explains. “Everyone knows he’s a rat. Different people from the hoods in New York and LA, such as Ja Rule, say 50 ratted on them. Now I didn’t know personally if he did or he didn’t – until he snitched on me. Then I can agree with them."
Fifty apparently claimed that Game held illegal firearms.
“He told the Feds that I keep loaded assault rifles in my couch in my house,” his rival charges. “They ran up in my house and took everyone to jail but didn’t find squat. It’s just bullshit. I don’t know what that guy’s got against me.”
History has shown that such rap conflicts usually end in senseless killings. Worse still, they stagnate careers. 50 Cent is a good example of an artist whose musical focus has been lost by the ‘beefs’ he’s engaged in.
The Game, or more specifically Jayceon Taylor, is all too aware of how disappointing 50’s The Massacre was as a result.
“I want to stay focused on music and make a killer record. That’s what I’ll do. I’m in the studio with Dr Dre next month and we’re good to go. I’ll learn from 50’s mistake and move away from this bullshit beef."
Fifty, he feels, has allowed his hatred of other rappers to derail his career.
“He got too wrapped up in beefs and couldn’t get focused on the music. I’m going to fuckin’ trounce him with my second record. I ain’t gonna lose this one, man. Five against one but G-Unit and 50 together ain’t strong enough to hold me back. I’m just too good man. You wait and see.”