Club Shay Shay – The Game 2

Podcast: Club Shay Shay (iHeartPodcasts & Shay Shay Media)
Host: Shannon Sharpe
Guest: The Game
Release Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging, wide-ranging conversation, legendary rapper The Game joins NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe for a candid, insightful, and unfiltered discussion about hip-hop, legacy, beefs in the rap industry, fatherhood, personal growth, business pitfalls, and relationships. With humor and frankness, The Game reflects on his journey, navigating fame, lessons learned, and his vision for the future.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Passing the West Coast Torch to Kendrick Lamar

• [03:28] Shannon Sharpe asks about The Game, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre passing the torch to Kendrick.
  • The Game explains he always recognized Kendrick's talent and wanted to be present for a historic night.
  • Quote: "I knew what Kendrick was the first time I ever heard him spit." – The Game (03:40)

2. West Coast Rap Hierarchy and Ego

• [05:15] Declares himself the best rapper on the West Coast, referencing legends like Ice Cube and Snoop, but argues he’s unmatched today.
  • Quote: "Can't nobody outrap me, man...no one can do what I can do." – The Game (05:23)
  • Compares his evolution to Kobe learning from Michael Jordan.

3. Versus Battles, Industry Beefs & Relationships

• [07:09] The Game says he prefers watching Versus but would only consider participating against 50 Cent.
• [07:33] Discusses reconciling with Suge Knight: "We bumped heads over the years, but again, I don't duck no smoke."
• [07:51] Drake is "my brother" – The Game details their tight bond and mutual respect.
  • Quote: "He always makes me feel like the bigger brother, right? There’s always a respect." – The Game (09:35)

4. Checking In—Respect and Safety in L.A.

• [10:46] On whether rappers must “check in” when visiting LA: "It's just a courtesy call...not a Suge Knight check-in thing." – The Game (11:09)

5. Working & Beefing with Eminem

• [12:02] The Game describes Eminem's studio quirks and artistic genius, and recalls being inspired by Em’s lyricism.
  • Quote: "He just eat Taco Bell, Taco Bell and drinks Mountain Dew." – The Game (12:23)
• [14:18] Game admits beef with Em started from anger at Dr. Dre; reflects on youthful, bullheaded decisions and not apologizing for competing with rap royalty.
  • On apologies: "You only made me apologize once, man, to Kemp." – The Game (14:53)

6. Competitiveness and Rap Beef

• [16:18] Game's approach to beefs: sometimes self-created, always competitive.
  • "Sometimes I sub myself in." – The Game (16:35)

7. Dream Collaborations & Artists Admired

• [16:58] Regrets never collaborating with Amy Winehouse; admires Elton John, seeks unexpected collaborations.

8. NBA YoungBoy, New Generations, and Mental Health

• [17:22] NBA YoungBoy called "this generation’s Tupac" by youth, respected by Game for his impact on fans.
• [18:48] On YB's mental health tweet ("I want to drop this album, then die"): "I know where that's coming from... that's about a woman for sure."
  • "There's so much more to live for." – The Game (19:18)
• [20:27] Asserts Kendrick & J. Cole are today's Nas and Jay-Z.

9. Hip Hop Mount Rushmore & Comparing Generations

• [22:22] No strict ranking, but Lil Wayne is among all-time elite (shared with Jay Z, Pac, Biggie, Em, Andre 3000).
• Mount Rushmore: "Wayne, Jay, Pac, Big, Em, Andre 3000, Biggie… all in the top 10." – The Game (22:32)
• [23:13] On verse fees: never paid for a verse; doesn’t charge top-tier friends.

10. Industry Lessons & Protecting Yourself in Music Business

• [27:44] 20 years in: “That it ain't shit...everyone uses everybody.” – The Game (27:49)
• Echoes T-Pain: people say they're your "brother," but business is business; emphasizes learning from betrayal to grow and become wiser.
  • "Should we be thinking everybody's our brother to begin with, or are we young and then we grow wiser..." – The Game (28:54)
• Advice for new artists: get top lawyers and trustworthy teams.
  • "There's a mass agenda to take advantage of younger, talented artists..." – The Game (30:16)

11. Branding, Snoop’s Transformation, & Pop Culture Impact

• [31:33] Names Snoop Dogg among the three most recognized people alive: "Jesus, Michael Jackson, and Snoop."
  • "[Once] Snoop got with Martha Stewart, it was up." – The Game (31:53)

12. Writing Process, Ghostwriting, and Freestyle Culture

• [33:39] On ghostwriting: "You can't be a true MC if you have ghostwriters."
• Freestyles are often pre-written, few can truly go off the dome—Wayne and Kendrick notable exceptions.

13. Culture Vulture Discourse

• [36:44] "We all vultures of something, man... If I like sushi, am I a culture vulture?"
  • Game argues for less judgment and more appreciation across cultures.

14. Sampling, Clearances, and Streaming

• [38:01] Willing to allow samples for the right price—but respects artists who keep their catalogs sacred.
• [43:17] Streaming seen as a way for industry to shortchange artists, but accepts it as evolution.
  • Advice from Ice Cube: "Embrace where hip-hop is right now." – The Game (44:05)

15. Best Albums Ever

• [44:28] Best hip-hop album: "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (44:33)
• [45:27] Best rap album: "The Chronic" (45:27)
  • Gives Snoop significant credit for "The Chronic."

16. Personal Growth, Regret, and Relationships

• [46:06]–[51:31] Candid about womanizing past; acknowledges regret for relationships that lacked intent or long-term meaning.
  • "You're literally holding somebody's wife hostage..." – The Game (51:11)
• Talks about being a caretaker in relationships, financial standards, and lessons from being raised by strong women.

17. Dating, Boundaries, and Friendship Codes

• [55:53] On dating friends' exes: "If you guys are not engaged, not married, and you do not have children...that woman is fair game." – The Game (57:28)
  • Spars with Shannon over “unwritten rules” of dating.

18. Fatherhood & Co-parenting

• [66:13]–[69:34] Shares approach to parenting: open communication, equal values to each child, learning to let mothers handle day-to-day, and the struggles of disciplining girls versus boys.
  • Parent the girls differently? "I could never discipline her the way we got disciplined." – The Game (67:42)
• Co-parenting formula: "Let her pick the school, pick the clothes, and you just pay. That's it. Shut up." – The Game (70:13)

19. Dealing with Social Media & Mental Health

• [73:47] On trolling & hate: sees social media as a tool, not a measure of self-worth.
  • "The foundation of it all is they follow you, right? Not the other way around." – The Game (73:47)
  • Protecting mental health means building emotional walls from a young age and focusing on moments with family.

20. Tattoos & Symbolism

• [76:03] Began face/body tattoos after grandmother’s advice: “the skin is just a costume that [you're] borrowing from God.”

21. Acting & Missed Opportunities

• [77:48] Would return to acting now with more patience; regrets turning down "A-Team" role for B.A. Baracus, which went to Rampage. Loved working with Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and others.

22. If He Could Do It Over: Regrets & Growth

• [80:17] No deep regrets except bad financial management—estimates $10M spent on jewelry in youth, much of it wasted or gifted away.
  • "I care if I live or die [now]." – The Game (80:58)
  • "All the joy in life comes from that sentiment right there." – The Game, on living for his kids (81:11)

23. Coming Projects & Closing

• [81:20] Announces an upcoming mixtape (with DJ Drama) and a forthcoming album for next year.
  • "Mixtape is fun...Album, I have to give it the love it deserves." – The Game (81:43)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• "I knew what Kendrick was the first time I ever heard him spit." – The Game (03:40)
• "Can't nobody outrap me, man...no one has my skill set." – The Game (05:23)
• "He always makes me feel like the bigger brother." – The Game on Drake (09:35)
• "Everybody uses everybody, right?" – The Game on the music business (27:49)
• "You can't be a true MC if you have Ghost Writers." – The Game (33:52)
• "Jesus, Michael Jackson and Snoop. Guaranteed." – The Game, on the three most recognized people alive (31:33)
• "If you're going to take a woman serious, and you're the type of man that I am...that is bare minimum." – The Game on supporting a partner financially (52:07)
• "Let her pick the school, pick the clothes, and you just pay. That's it. Shut up." – The Game on co-parenting (70:13)
• "I care if I live or die [now]." – The Game, on his growth since 2005 (80:58)

Memorable Moments

• Beating Mike Tyson in arm wrestling (as an older Tyson, but still): "It was a little tough, but I definitely beat Mike Tyson in arm wrestling." – The Game (47:31)
• The infamous “Change of Heart” dating show story: The Game recounts being 18, doing the show for $1,000, and how it was scripted — but adds, it’s simply part of his journey. (47:46)
• Candid reflection on womanizing and growing up: Admits regret for being a womanizer, attributes change to maturity and understanding the effect on others.
• Openly discussing mistakes made in business and relationships: Emphasizes the importance of legal representation and not confusing business with brotherhood.

Final Reflections

This episode provides an unvarnished look at The Game’s artistry, competitiveness, personal struggles, and his journey toward self-awareness and growth. Through stories, advice, and playful banter with Sharpe, The Game demystifies the glamor of the industry while affirming the importance of authenticity, family, learning from mistakes, and staying grounded in a changing world.

Key Segments – Quick Reference

• Passing the torch to Kendrick: 03:28–04:40
• On being the best rapper: 05:15–06:43
• Versus battle/Beefs: 07:03–07:51
• Drake/Checking in: 07:51–11:59
• Eminem collaboration/beef: 11:59–14:59
• Hip-Hop hierarchy: 22:22–22:95
• Industry lessons: 27:44–31:33
• Snoop, branding, and culture: 31:15–31:59
• Freestyle and ghostwriting: 33:37–35:15
• Womanizing/Personal growth: 50:00–51:31
• Co-parenting/Fatherhood: 66:13–70:13
• Social media & mental health: 73:29–75:59
• Tattoos and acting: 75:59–78:47
• Regrets & reflections: 80:05–81:11
• New music projects: 81:20–81:52

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