The Evolution of Game

Click on to take a look back at Game's journey to the top.

The Evolution of Game - Happy birthday, Game. The Compton MC turned 32 today. With all his controversies and hardships, sometimes it didn't seem guaranteed he'd make it this far. But he more than made it—he excelled, with three acclaimed No. 1 albums (and a fourth No. 2), classic West Coast bangers and Grammy nominations. Click on to take a look back at Game's journey to the top.

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The Evolution of Game - Happy birthday, Game. The Compton MC turned 32 today. With all his controversies and hardships, sometimes it didn't seem guaranteed he'd make it this far. But he more than made it—he excelled, with three acclaimed No. 1 albums (and a fourth No. 2), classic West Coast bangers and Grammy nominations. Click on to take a look back at Game's journey to the top.

The Evolution of Game - The hard times continued for Game as he got older—he was shot five times in a drug deal gone bad in 2001. While recovering in the hospital, Game listened to classic hip hop albums and decided to become a rapper. He released his first mixtape, You Know What It Is Vol. 1, in 2002. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Game - The hard times continued for Game as he got older—he was shot five times in a drug deal gone bad in 2001. While recovering in the hospital, Game listened to classic hip hop albums and decided to become a rapper. He released his first mixtape, You Know What It Is Vol. 1, in 2002. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The Evolution of Game - Game's music eventually reached the ear of a fellow Compton native, legendary producer-MC Dr. Dre, who signed him to his Aftermath imprint in 2003.(Photos from left: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup, John Sciulli/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

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The Evolution of Game - Game's music eventually reached the ear of a fellow Compton native, legendary producer-MC Dr. Dre, who signed him to his Aftermath imprint in 2003.(Photos from left: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup, John Sciulli/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

The Evolution of Game - With Dre behind the boards and 50 at his side, Game's 2004 debut album, The Documentary, was a smashing success, debuting at No. 1 and selling over 5 million copies worldwide. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Game - With Dre behind the boards and 50 at his side, Game's 2004 debut album, The Documentary, was a smashing success, debuting at No. 1 and selling over 5 million copies worldwide. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The Evolution of Game - All good things must come to an end, and Game and 50's partnership is bloody proof. Rumors of tension between Game and G Unit began heating up in 2005. When Fif appeared on New York's Hot 97 to announce that Game was being kicked out of G Unit for "disloyalty," Game and his crew went to the station to approach him. The confrontation turned violent, and a member of Game's entourage was shot. Soon after the shocking incident, 50 and Game squashed their beef—for now—at a press conference with one of the most awkward man-hugs of all time. (Photo: Soul Brother/FilmMagic)

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The Evolution of Game - All good things must come to an end, and Game and 50's partnership is bloody proof. Rumors of tension between Game and G Unit began heating up in 2005. When Fif appeared on New York's Hot 97 to announce that Game was being kicked out of G Unit for "disloyalty," Game and his crew went to the station to approach him. The confrontation turned violent, and a member of Game's entourage was shot. Soon after the shocking incident, 50 and Game squashed their beef—for now—at a press conference with one of the most awkward man-hugs of all time. (Photo: Soul Brother/FilmMagic)

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The Evolution of Game - The truce wouldn't last long, and Fif and Game were soon trading jabs on diss tracks and in interviews. The beef resulted in Game splitting with Dre's Aftermath and releasing his second and third releases, Doctor's Advocate and LAX, through Geffen Records. With the albums debuting at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, Game proved he could stand and succeed on his own. (Photo: Earl Gibson/PictureGroup)

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The Evolution of Game - The truce wouldn't last long, and Fif and Game were soon trading jabs on diss tracks and in interviews. The beef resulted in Game splitting with Dre's Aftermath and releasing his second and third releases, Doctor's Advocate and LAX, through Geffen Records. With the albums debuting at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, Game proved he could stand and succeed on his own. (Photo: Earl Gibson/PictureGroup)

The Evolution of Game - The conflict with G Unit was just a hint of the many beefs Game would engage in throughout his career, often at his provocation. Over the years, Game has fired shots at Jay-Z, Suge Knight, Lil Wayne and several others.(Photo: Mike Yarish/PictureGroup)

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The Evolution of Game - The conflict with G Unit was just a hint of the many beefs Game would engage in throughout his career, often at his provocation. Over the years, Game has fired shots at Jay-Z, Suge Knight, Lil Wayne and several others.(Photo: Mike Yarish/PictureGroup)

The Evolution of Game - Unfortunately, Game's knack for controversy has also resulted in some serious legal troubles. He's been sued and charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and in 2008 served 60 days for a felony weapons charge. More recently, Game landed in hot water when he tweeted the number of the L.A. Sheriff, leading to an avalanche of phone calls that jammed emergency lines for hours.   (Photo: LAPD)

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The Evolution of Game - Unfortunately, Game's knack for controversy has also resulted in some serious legal troubles. He's been sued and charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and in 2008 served 60 days for a felony weapons charge. More recently, Game landed in hot water when he tweeted the number of the L.A. Sheriff, leading to an avalanche of phone calls that jammed emergency lines for hours. (Photo: LAPD)

The Evolution of Game - Years after their split, Game finally made amends with Dre in 2009, returning to the Aftermath fold. The renewed partnership resulted in Game's fourth release, 2011's The R.E.D. Album, which debuted at No. 1. After almost 10 years in the business and millions of records sold, The Game seems set to do it all again.(Photo: Josiah True/ WENN.com)

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The Evolution of Game - Years after their split, Game finally made amends with Dre in 2009, returning to the Aftermath fold. The renewed partnership resulted in Game's fourth release, 2011's The R.E.D. Album, which debuted at No. 1. After almost 10 years in the business and millions of records sold, The Game seems set to do it all again.(Photo: Josiah True/ WENN.com)