The Game was born and raised in the "birthplace of gangsta rap," Compton, California. He received his nickname from his grandmother who claimed he was always game for anything. Growing up in Compton, The Game grew up in the Santana Blocc Crips neighborhood. He was placed in a foster home from the 3rd grade until the 9th grade due to family problems with his father. Soon after he was reunited with his mother, one of his older brothers, Jevon, was shot and killed. Just after his high school graduation in 1999, another older adopted brother, Charles, was shot and killed. His half brother, nicknamed "Big Fase Hunned", grew up in a different neighborhood and was an active member of the Cedar Block Piru Bloods. As their relationship grew, The Game became a member of the Cedar Block Pirus as well, all while living in a Crip neighborhood. Prior to rapping, at 6'4" The Game (AKA Chuck Taylor) was a star basketball player at Compton High School. He received a basketball scholarship to Washington State University but was dismissed from the school during his freshman year over drug allegations. He grew up with NBA star Baron Davis, who is now the godfather to The Game's son, Harlem Caron Taylor. The Game eventually got into the lifestyle of hustling with his brother, Big Fase Hunned. Car thefts, drug dealing, and shootings forced his mother to kick him out of the house. He moved into the projects in a nearby city with Big Fase 100 in 2000 and took over the local drug trade. Late on the night of October 1st 2001, he was shot five times during a home invasion. While in the hospital The Game decided to change his life and put the past behind him, to pursue his interest in hip hop music and dream of becoming a rapper. Soon after, The Game was discovered by rap pioneer, and former N.W.A member, Dr. Dre, who signed The Game to his Aftermath Entertainment label.

Although The Game was originally signed as an artist at Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope CEO, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre decided to have The Game work with 50 Cent and G-Unit (currently made up of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Olivia, Young Buck, and Mob Deep). The concept of The Game with G-Unit, was to help increase the popularity of one of the leading acts in rap & hip-hop, and to also increase the notoriety of G-Unit on the West Coast. Furthermore, the already existing popularity of G-Unit along with the support of Dr. Dre, would ensure The Game a high number of album sales, which it did, with The Documentary debuting at the number one spot on the Billboard music charts. His mentors Dr. Dre and 50 Cent were responsible for the debut of The Documentary, an album that explores The Game's life while he was pursuing a career in the rap industry.

Although The Game originally wanted to title his album Nigga Wit' An Attitude - Volume 1, he couldn't secure the album's title because of a court order from the widow of Eazy E's, requesting to not have the N.W.A. name on the album. The Game decided to rename his album to The Documentary. The album went on to top sales charts with singles such as "How We Do", "Hate It Or Love It", and "Dreams" (with the first two featuring 50 Cent).

--Wikipedia