The Game

Compton's own the Game (aka Jayceon Taylor) issued his debut LP The Documentary in 2004 through Aftermath/G Unit/Universal. With everyone from Dr. Dre and 50 Cent to Nate Dogg, Kanye West, and Just Blaze contributing to the album, The Documentary made it clear from the outset that geographic squabbles weren't a part of the Game's agenda. Rapping hadn't been at first, either. Having gotten involved in the drug trade after a rough childhood, it took being shot during a home invasion to cause an epiphany in Game. Inspired by N.W.A, The Chronic, Doggystyle, and classic albums from 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z, Game began rapping in 2001 and never looked back. His barbed and bold freestyles caught the ear of Dre, who signed him to Aftermath in 2003 and took the exec producer helm for his debut. It was delayed a few times, but The Documentary finally dropped in January 2005, buttressed by much buzzed-about singles like "Higher" and "Fresh '83."