Jayceon Taylor better known as, “The Game” a rapper from Compton, California quickly rose to superstardom with the success of his debut album “The Documentary” released on January 18, 2005. The album was produced by former N.W.A member and West Coast legend Dr.Dre. A recent interview on HIPHOPGAME TV has many of his fans wondering if “LAX” will be The Game’s last album. In the interview he was asked if it was, he responded, “Yea it is, maybe it is, maybe it’s not.” After successfully resurrecting West Coast rap, The Game leaves hip-hop fans wondering if the waning genre’s prominence will leave with him.

With the success of Dre’s first protégée Eminem, an Academy Award winning rapper, actor, and record producer who’s sold over seventy million albums worldwide, Dre was once again looking for another original emcee to build up the Aftermath empire that’s when he came across The Game’s mix tape You Know What It Is Vol. 1.

Originally signed to Sean “P Diddy” Combs record label Bad Boy, The Game decided to sign with Dr.Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment in 2003 and 50 Cent’s G-Unit records, whose members include Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck.

Much of The Games music was influenced by N.W.A and the Compton Street Life, he shared many of the same experiences and creative knowledge on how California gangsta rap could take another shot at establishing a stable foundation for a coast that had lost everything for over a decade.

The Game, along with Dr.Dre, had many visions and goals of how to put the West Coast back on the map.

With the release of the 2005 album “The Documentary” which became an instant street classic, The Game gained recognition when his album debuted No.1 in the Billboard 200.

The anthem on the streets was a track called “Westside Story” featuring 50 Cent, but the official single that would launch off The Game’s career was a track called “Hate It Or Love It” also featuring 50 Cent. The album included features from Eminem, Tony Yayo, Nate Dogg, Busta Rhymes and others.

When everything seemed to be in order for Dr.Dre, the unthinkable happened; a feud broke out between 50 Cent and The Game.

Trying to set their creative differences aside, a press release conference was held in 2006 and the two rappers agreed upon a peace treaty. The treaty would soon end; eventually resulting in the continuation of the feud which involved many altercations between the two rappers’ camps. The Game would end up leaving Aftermath.

Soon after dropping from the label, The Game quickly signed with Geffen Records and got to work on his second release “Doctors Advocate”. From what The Game had said in many interviews, there was absolutely no animosity between himself and Dr. Dre, but what had happened was for the best and that the sophomore album would include tracks produced by Dr.Dre, hence the name “Doctors Advocate”.

Once again the West Coast rap fans anticipated on the arrival of The Game’s newest project, which was released on November 14, 2006. And once again The Game’s album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, many critics thought that without the guidance and influence of Dr. Dre and 50 Cent that The Game would easily disappear just as fast as he rose to superstardom.

Even though The Games debut album “The Documentary” had many of the hottest artists and producers, it comes to show that if you have talent the possibilities are endless. Two of the original producers who worked on tracks for “The Documentary” also contributed efforts to his sophomore album.

Singles on the “Doctors Advocate” included “It’s Okay One Blood” produced by D-roc, “Lets Ride” produced by Scott Storch and “Wouldn’t Get Far” produced by Kanye West. More than a year and a half later “The Game” announced that he would be retiring from the rap scene and that he would release his third and final studio album. Originally titled “The D.O.C.”, was later changed to “LAX”.

Originally said to be released on June 24, 2008, the album was pushed back to August 26, 2008. Critics and fans alike were anxious to hear the final album by one of the most controversial faces in hip hop.

Singles Included “Game’s Pain” Featuring Keyshia Cole, “Dope Boys” featuring Travis Barker, “My Life” featuring Lil Wayne and “House Of Pain”. Other guest appearances include Nas, Ice Cube, Raekwon, Ludacris and Common along with many others.

Producers who worked on the album were Irv Gotti, DJ Quick, Trackmasters and the list goes on. “LAX” is currently number three on the Billboard 200 as of September 11, 2008 and number two on the Billboard Top Rap Albums. The Los Angeles Times gave the album three out of four stars and USA Today who gave it a perfect 4 out of 4 stars.

This is a great way for The Game to end his career, but we could never be too sure if this will be The Games last album due to other artists that have claimed to call it quits in the past, only to make another chart topping album such as fellow Hip Hop artists Jay-Z and rival 50 Cent. Only time will tell if it’s game over for The Game.