The Game rose to fame back in 2005 following the release of his debut album, The Documentary, executive produced by his then close pal Dr. Dre. Released under the labels G-Unit, Interscope, and Eminem’s Aftermath, the record went on to sell over five million copies in the U.S. alone, becoming one of the best-selling rap albums that year.
Eminem, who appeared to be a huge supporter of The Game’s career, even appeared on the track We Ain’t, giving fans the impression that Slim Shady co-signed the upcoming rapper’s rise to fame. But over the years, there seemed to have been a falling out between the pair, which seemed apparent in Game’s interview with Revolt’s Drink Champs in March 2022.
Though the Hate It Or Love It hitmaker had previously claimed that Eminem was one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time, his recent comments alluded to the idea that Game believes he’s a better lyricist than the 8 Mile star.
So, what exactly transpired between the pair that’s made Game change his tune about his fellow rap friend? Here’s the lowdown…
Eminem And The Game Before Their Feud
In December 2021, during an interview with MTV News’ Sway Calloway, The Game said he would never diss Eminem because he considered him to be one of the greatest rappers in Hip Hop.
The Compton native has feuded with a handful of rappers over the years, but one person he said he wouldn’t want to go up against was Eminem.
“One thing that stuck with me is that Eminem is not to be f***ed with ever in Hip Hop, ever,” he explained.
“If you notice out of everybody I take a shot at, that’s the only person that’s untouched. He’s in a bubble and you don’t even say nothing to Eminem. To anybody that ever does, God bless you.”
He concluded: “He’ll end your career.”
What Started Eminem And The Game's Feud?
In February 2022, The Game sat down for an interview on Drink Champs, where he revealed he had not been asked to join his mentor Dr. Dre for his Super Bowl Halftime Show earlier that month.
Instead, Dre invited 50 Cent as the special guest.
And while The Game was somewhat unhappy that he wasn’t invited for the one-off reunion, he also had a problem with Eminem emerging from the Compton courthouse during his set.
“It wouldn’t have meant nothing to you, but it meant something to me,” the How We Do chart-topper said.
As the conversation continued, The Game went on to say that while he likes Eminem and once considered him to be one of the best, he has since changed his mind, saying he thinks he’s a better lyricist than the Detroit local.
“Eminem is Eminem. I like Eminem, he’s one of the good, great MCs,” the father-of-three added.
“I used to think Eminem was better than me. He’s not.”
When host N.O.R.E. said Game wouldn’t want to face Eminem in a Verzuz battle, The Game begged to differ.
Is The Game Also Feuding With Dr. Dre?
It appears so.
In the same interview, The Game seemed to have taken a dig at Dr. Dre, who he already hasn’t been on good terms with in years.
After sharing his opinion on not being invited to grace the stage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February, the rap superstar claimed Dre hadn’t actually done that much for his career.
And that’s despite the fact that the latter was heavily involved in producing Game’s first few albums.
According to The Game, he’s all about loyalty, saying that his friend and fellow rapper Kanye West had done more for him “in the last two weeks” than what Dre had done for him in his entire career.
Dre signed The Game to Aftermath Entertainment back in 2003 before commencing work on his debut album, having landed a string of features thanks to his association with the Hip Hop producer.
The Eazy star also revealed he wasn’t on good terms with Jay-Z, who is known to oversee the NFL Super Bowl Halftime performers before they are announced.
Fans believe the New Yorker may have had a helping hand in preventing The Game from performing with Dre, but that remains nothing more than a rumor which stemmed on social media.