On Saturday, Oct. 10, West Coast rapper “The Game” performed in front of a sold out crowd at the Paul Paul Theater at the Big Fresno Fair. Prior to the Games arrival, local recording artists Grafik and Diego Redd took to the stage and performed their opening numbers in front of many anxious fans. The excitement and anticipation of The Games arrival to the stage erupted throughout the crowd. Fans were screaming wildly and chanting “We love Game!” Diego Redd used the reactions of the crowd to his advantage to get everyone on their feet and dancing while he performed. In a matter of seconds concluding Redd’s performance, The Game’s disc jockey for the evening started spinning on the ones and twos, readying the fans for The Game’s most anticipated performance in months.
After a brief intermission with a devious look on his face The Game had finally made his way to the stage, sporting multiple gold chains, a Dodgers fitted cap, and a black Famous brand t-shirt. The crowd went insanely wild as he lifted the microphone up to his mouth as if he if possessed magical abilities to hypnotize all in attendance and keep them fixated on him. The Game opened up the show with his classic street banger entitled “Westside Story” from his debut album The Documentary. The crowd immediately started to sing along as The Game and his entourage made their way back and forth across the stage to acknowledge and shake hands with fans.
The Game delivered a very energetic show and interacted with the crowd in a way that I have never seen before. After performing his second hit single “Hate It or Love It,” The Game shouted “Where my ladies at?” The screams and participation from the crowd put a big smile on The Game’s face. He even went as far as to invite his female fans from the audience to join him on stage for his entire performance. Throughout his show, The Game took shots at rival emcees such as Jay-Z and 50 Cent, along with the rest of the G-Unit camp. The Game also took shots at Jay-Z’s wife, Beyonce, making it known that the feud between the two emcees was personal.
The Game’s stage presence is absolutely amazing — the man really knows how to put on a show. I have never been to a concert where an artist interacts with the fans as much as The Game did. At one point, he pulled $500 out of his back pocket, counted it on stage, and handed it over to a young girl and told her to go and buy some candy.
The Game is a true entertainer. During the transitions from one song to the next, The Game would come up with hilarious comedy skits that really got the crowd going. What made it even more interesting and fun is that he would incorporate Fresno into everything he was saying.
If you’re a fan of The Game, or just enjoy the sounds of urban noise, then make sure you pick up a few tickets and catch him live, you won’t be disappointed.