Who is The Game‘s Favorite Rapper? A Deep Dive into His Hip-Hop Influences

When California rapper The Game emerged in the early 2000s, he brought a new West Coast perspective to hip-hop. But even as he repped Compton, The Game openly paid homage to rappers who inspired his style. Over the years, he‘s named numerous legends as his personal favorites. Looking closely at The Game‘s influences reveals his deep appreciation for hip-hop history.

Eminem – The Game‘s Early Idol

Long before achieving his own stardom, The Game looked up to Eminem. In The Game‘s breakout single "Westside Story" from his debut album The Documentary (2005), he rapped: "Used to listen to Redman, Eminem, and Doc/So on my album wishin‘ an n***a could pop." This lyric showed his reverence for Eminem‘s technical skills.

As a master lyricist and rhymer, Eminem inspired rappers like The Game to push their own limits. According to ChartMasters, Eminem has sold over 220 million records worldwide, making him the best-selling rapper of all time. He earned The Game‘s respect through his commercial success and mic skills.

Back in 2002, Eminem also named his own favorite rappers on the track "‘Till I Collapse":

"I got a list, here‘s the order of my list that it‘s in;
It goes, Reggie (Redman), Jay-Z, Tupac and Biggie
Andre from Outkast, Jada (Jadakiss), Kurupt, Nas and then me"

The Game shares some overlapping favorites with Eminem, like Jay-Z, Nas, and Tupac. This reveals an appreciation for the same lyricism and flow. As The Game developed his rap style, he took cues from Eminem‘s rapid-fire delivery and rhyme schemes.

Lil Wayne – Considered the GOAT by Game

In recent years, The Game has crowned Lil Wayne as the greatest rapper alive. During a 2020 interview, he stated: "I think Lil Wayne is the greatest rapper alive. Point blank period."

The Game cited Lil Wayne‘s extensive catalog of albums, mixtapes, and guest verses as cementing his GOAT status:

"Look at his body of work…They don‘t talk about mixtapes no more but Wayne got the mixtape game sewed up."

Indeed, Lil Wayne‘s output has been mind-blowing. According to LilWayneHQ, he‘s released:

• 13 Studio Albums
• 40 Mixtapes
• Over 500 Featured Songs

At just 39 years old, Lil Wayne has contributed over two decades of music spanning punk rock, pop, and his signature rap style.

Beyond his own releases, Lil Wayne helped launch major acts like Drake and Nicki Minaj through his Young Money label. The Game recognizes how Wayne‘s cosign and mentorship elevated so many younger artists.

With his longevity and introduction of new stars, Lil Wayne has earned GOAT status in The Game‘s eyes. The Game strives to achieve a similar prolific career of constantly impacting hip-hop.

Nas & Jay-Z – Game‘s Lyricism Role Models

When naming his top 10 best rappers, The Game included hip-hop legends Nas and Jay-Z. He views both as role models thanks to their elite lyricism.

Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt (1996) demonstrated his incredible wordplay and storytelling skills. Songs like “Dead Presidents II” and “22 Two’s” wowed fans with dense rhyme schemes and smooth flow. According to the RIAA, Jay-Z has earned 24 platinum and multi-platinum certifications, selling over 100 million records.

Similarly, Nas’ debut Illmatic (1994) is considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever. Tracks like "N.Y. State of Mind" and "The World Is Yours" revealed a master of language over jaw-dropping beats. Nas‘ vivid imagery and streetwise philosophy inspired a generation of rappers.

Both Jay-Z and Nas have maintained elite lyricism throughout their long careers. When The Game was starting out, he studied how they translated their life experiences into raw poetry. Their style can be heard in Game‘s own storytelling and wordplay. He strives to keep their level of sophistication alive in modern hip-hop.

West Coast Legends – Game‘s Local Heroes

Although The Game idolized various national stars, California artists also heavily influenced him:

N.W.A – Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella launched gangsta rap with Straight Outta Compton (1988). The Game channels their aggression and urban narratives.

Snoop Dogg – With Dre‘s The Chronic (1992), Snoop‘s smooth flow and charisma made West Coast rap mainstream. The Game emulates Snoop‘s catchy hooks and vibes.

2Pac – As one of the all-time greats, 2Pac blended thug life anthems with introspective lyricism. The Game aims for a similar balance of hardness and vulnerability.

Ice-T – His track "6 In The Mornin" (1986) pioneered West Coast reality rap. The Game carries on his no-holds-barred accounts of street life.

Too $hort – Active since the early 80s, Too $hort pioneered dirty rap in Oakland. His funky beats and explicit lyrics influenced The Game‘s raw style.

The Game stands on the shoulders of these California pioneers. Even when he aimed for commercial success, The Game stayed true to the West Coast‘s sonic signatures and narrative perspectives. He expanded the region‘s rap legacy for a new millennium.

Analyzing The Game‘s Hip-Hop Toolkit

Beyond just liking their music as a fan, The Game closely studies his favorite rappers‘ techniques. By breaking down their styles, he adds new tools to his own hip-hop toolkit:

Lyrical Themes

• Jay-Z – street hustling, luxury brands, preserving legacy

• Nas – Illmatic poetically depicts Queensbridge projects

• Eminem – unique honesty around family, addiction, fame

• Tupac – blends aggessive and uplifting; talks race, poverty

Flow Patterns

• Biggie – slow, rhythmic delivery contrasted rapid-fire verbs

• Lil Wayne – syncopated, unconventional rhyme patterns

• Kendrick Lamar – technically proficient; evolving vocal tones

Creative Devices

• Andre 3000 – warm, harmonic hooks; jazz-inflected rhymes

• Rakim – heavy use of alliteration and internal rhymes

• E-40 – pioneer of unique slang and bouncy syllables

The Game incorporates these various techniques into his own diverse style. Fans can hear Jay-Z‘s braggadocio, Lil Wayne‘s manic flow, Outkast‘s melody – all filtered through The Game‘s Compton lens. This mimetic ability comes from carefully studying the greats.

Conclusion: Game Respects His Influencers‘ Power

Throughout his career, The Game has openly acknowledged how hip-hop legends paved the way for him. By praising their talents and mimicking their techniques, he pays respect to his influences. Like a student becoming the master, The Game took the lessons of Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and more and synthesized something fresh. Even as he carved out his own prominent place in rap, The Game never forgot his roots. His favorite rappers remind listeners of the skill and heritage inside Game‘s music.