Live Report: The Game brings California rap to 3Olympia

The Game brought the heat to Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre yesterday, supported by opening act Offica.

Also known as Tomas Adeyinka, the Drogheda-based rapper filled the venue with earth-rattling drill. Offica danced confidently around stage, with the bass shaking my seat all the way from the upper level.

“Yo Dublin make some noise! The energy is good man. I can’t lie, the energy is good,” he said. “You know with everything in life man, whether you’re doing a 9-5 on Grafton, you have to stick to the plan in life man. So this next song is called ‘Stick To The Plan.’”

The track highlighted Offica’s booming voice and dynamic flow. Flashing red and blue lights bathed the venue, dominated by the rapper's assertive stage presence.

“Can I do one more song for you guys?” he asked before finishing his set. “The love is crazy man. The love is crazy.”

Offica at 3Olympia Theatre Dublin by Jason Doherty

Walking off stage, the crowd chanted and howled in anticipation for The Game. Born in Compton, California, the rapper brought his classic American West Coast charm all the way to Dublin. Also known as Jayceon Taylor, he was accompanied by an entourage of roughly 20 people on stage with him– including keyboardists, background singers, a drummer, a bassist, cameramen and supporting hype men. The atmosphere felt like one big party.

“I missed the first show,” said Taylor. “I’m not sorry motherfucker. I’m here at the right time I’m supposed to be. Let’s get it!”

He began performing ‘Runnin’ off his 2005 album, The Documentary. His energy was infectious, with strobing spotlights heightening the star power he clearly possessed. The booming drums and stellar keyboard complimented his voice well, strutting across stage with a confident swagger. He followed up ‘Runnin’ with the track ‘Dreams’ off the same album, and his fans knew every word.

Taylor frequently incorporated songs from other California rappers into his set, including Snoop Dogg’s ‘Smoke Weed Everyday,’ Eazy-E’s ‘Boyz-N-The-Hood’ and Ice Cube’s ‘It Was a Good Day.’

“I wanna thank you motherfuckers for rockin’ with me since I was 23-years-old,” he told the crowd. “The first time I ever came to Ireland I was 23. That’s 22 motherfuckin’ years.”

The audience roared.

The Game at 3Olympia Theatre Dublin by Jason Doherty

“And you know what it is with me and Dublin,” he added. “You know. You fuckin’ know me, and you know my heart.”

At one point during the show, Taylor demanded that the lights in the theatre turn on so he could specifically order fans to stand up and jump; the rapper was on a mission to make the night unforgettable.

“If I can’t sit down, you can’t sit down,” he said. “Cause they got chairs you motherfuckers want to sit down. Fuck that. Get the fuck up. I don’t care if you’re eight years old. Stand your ass up.”

At the mention of children, a father in the audience gripped his sons hands and held them up for Taylor to see. Despite all the commotion, the rapper noticed the children and invited them on stage.

“Come here, I’ll wait on you,” he promised.

When the two boys walked on stage, they were given two large silver chains. Taylor handed each of them a mic, and whispered something into their ears.

“Everyone put your motherfuckin’ hands up!” the little boy shouted.

“Put your hands up, bitches!” said the other.

The crowd cheered and howled with laughter. For the rest of the set, the boys remained on stage– dancing and hyping up fans.

Taylor ended his set with an extended version of ‘Hate It Or Love It,’ the track which earned him two Grammy nominations in 2006. He handed a microphone to one of the little boys, who rapped along with the rest of the audience.

With everyone on their feet, spirits were high. Before exiting the stage, Taylor popped two bottles of champagne and sprayed them on the crowd. He even approached the barricade to sign a sweatshirt, hat and a sneaker.

“Yo Dublin, everybody in here – down low, man, woman, child – I love you!” he professed. “Thank you!”