While promoting his final album Born 2 Rap, The Game spoke with Talib Kweli on the People’s Party podcast about how his rap career began. At the 16:10 mark of the interview, the two discussed how The Game studied hip-hop classics such as Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt.
He explained that he was the only member of his crew who embraced East Coast rap at the time. The others simply did not care for it.
Despite being a pillar of the West Coast, The Game has consistently shown love for the East. Over the years, he has worked with several of its legends.
The Game – Talib Kweli People’s Party Interview
Out of his lengthy discography, the song “Game’s Pain” featuring Keyshia Cole stands out as a clear reflection of what East Coast hip-hop meant to The Game. Released on his 2008 album LAX, the track pays homage to several legendary artists.
Those influences include LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Daddy Kane, and Jay-Z. The Game later released a remix of the song that featured Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and Queen Latifah.
Even earlier in his career, The Game showed his East Coast connections. In 2004, before his debut album was released, he linked up with Busta Rhymes on “Die Too Soon,” a G-Unit mixtape track that also featured DJ Quik.
The Game – Game’s Pain feat. Keyshia Cole
The Game – Game’s Pain (remix) feat. Jadakiss, Bun B, Pusha T, Fat Joe, Young Buck & Queen Latifah
The Game – Die Too Soon feat. Busta Rhymes & DJ Quik
That same year, The Game appeared on “Dead Bodies” alongside Prodigy from The Alchemist’s compilation 1st Infantry.
To build momentum for his official debut album, The Game also released the mixtape Westside Story. One of its standout tracks was “Get Your Money Right,” which featured Jay-Z and Dr. Dre.
In 2005, The Documentary was released and closed with the emotional final track “Like Father Like Son.” The song reunited The Game with Busta Rhymes once again.
The Game – Dead Bodies feat. Prodigy (Prod. by The Alchemist)
The Game – Get Your Money Right feat. Dr. Dre & Jay-Z
Busta Rhymes would collaborate with The Game once again on the title track from his 2006 sophomore album Doctor’s Advocate. The project also marked The Game’s first opportunity to work with Nas on the track “Why You Hate the Game.”
Nas later appeared on the “One Blood” remix, which featured a wide range of artists including Jim Jones, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Fabolous.
Shortly afterward, Nas released Hip Hop Is Dead, which included the song “Hustlers” featuring The Game and produced by Dr. Dre.
The Game – Doctor’s Advocate feat. Busta Rhymes
The Game – One Blood (remix) feat. Jim Jones, Nas, Jadakiss, Styles P, Fabolous, E-40, Snoop & others
Nas – Hustlers feat. The Game (prod. By Dr. Dre)
That same year, The Game collaborated with Fat Joe on “Breathe and Stop” from the album Me, Myself & I.
In 2008, he worked with Nas again on “Make the World Go Round,” while also contributing on the production side for Nas’ album Untitled.
The Game later teamed up with Raekwon of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan on “Bulletproof Diaries” from his album LAX. He returned the favor in 2010 by appearing on “About Me” from Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II.
That same period also saw The Game connect with fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, contributing verses to “Drama” from Ghostface’s album Apollo Kids.
Fat Joe – Breathe and Stop feat. The Game
Nas – Make the World Go Round feat. The Game & Chris Brown
The Game – Bulletproof Diaries feat. Raekwon
Raekwon – About Me feat. The Game (prod. By Dr. Dre)
From a historical standpoint, the most significant track The Game recorded with East Coast artists was “History” from his 2011 mixtape Purp & Patron. The song was a posse cut that featured Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, and KRS-One.
Securing those artists on a single track is a testament to The Game’s strong affiliation with East Coast hip-hop. It also highlights his versatility as an artist. While remaining a staple of the West Coast, he consistently integrated influences from the East into his music.
That ability to bridge both coasts is a major reason why, more than twenty years into his career, The Game remains relevant today.
The Game – History feat. Doug E Fresh, Big Daddy Kane & Krs-One
