The Game
Game feat. Jay-Z & Dr.Dre Lyrics
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Uh, yeah
(Somehow the rap game remind me of the crack game)
Won't stop niggas
Jigga! Feel me
Pa-pause, told ya motherfuckers, told ya
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
Uhh, Roc-a-Fella
Geyeah
We treat this rap shit just like, handlin' weight
What they want we give it to 'em, what they abandon we take
Hit a rapper with consignment, let him know what's at stake
Put his ass in the studio, let him cook up a cake
When it's hot, get 'em a money spot in every state
Like the whiz in Camelot, the mom-and-pop's is the gate
But first we scope shit, advertise in every area
Let the fiends know hey, we got some dope shit
Gon' need a middle man, so we look to radio
Let 'em test the product, give 'em a promo show
Just a breeze, not enough to catch a real vibe
Then we drop a maxi single and charge 'em two for five
Ain't tryna kill 'em at first just, building clientele
So when the album drops the first weeks it's on sale
But when demand grows it's time to expand yo
You don't want no garbage papi, it's ten grand for blow, fo' sho'
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
I got that uncut raw to make a fiend's body jerk
Got your whole block now, pumpin' my work
My CD's is like keys for you Willie's who
Like to floss my cassette tapes in sixty-two's
And my singles like gems, you know the treys
Get you high for a while, but the, high don't stay
You need another fix, you better cop these last two bricks
'Cause when this shit flip, I'ma get on some other shit
Never pitching for a label, Jigga's the hook-up
You know my shit is fish scale, y'all niggas is cook up
Just blow up, scream my name from Brooklyn to Da-kota
They know my shit stretch without the baking soda
Went from an eighth, to a quarter, to a half a key
Priority's work wasn't right so I switched factories
Now I'm the new nigga, who figured I'd get the game locked
Now watch how the prices of your cocaine drop, papa
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
(Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game)
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
The Game featuring Jay-Z and Dr. Dre's song "The Game" draws several parallels between the rap game and the crack game, asserting that the business practices are eerily similar. The artists use metaphors and analogies throughout the song to reveal how the rap industry works to destroy people in the same way that crack does. They use language such as "handling weight," "consignment," "cooking up," and "gettin' the game locked" to suggest that rappers treat their music as a drug and use the same tactics to sell it as a dealer selling drugs.
The artists also explore the idea of the different stages that musicians go through as they build up a clientele, starting with "middlemen" such as radio stations to build buzz around their music before it becomes more widely known. Eventually, the rapper works to build a large following and charges premium prices for their music. Jay-Z emphasizes his experience in the rap game and uses metaphors about being a drug dealer to demonstrate his deep knowledge and understanding of how the industry works.
Overall, "The Game" is a commentary on the corrupt nature of the music industry, as it manipulates young artists into joining a cycle of exploitation and drug-like dependency. It points out how the pressure to sell music leads artists to resort to unethical tactics such as using middlemen and creating fake popularity, treating music as a commodity rather than an art form.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh
Introduction to the song
Uh, yeah
Acknowledging and agreeing with the comparison of the rap game to the drug game
(Somehow the rap game remind me of the crack game)
Continuing the comparison of the rap game to the drug game
Won't stop niggas
Referring to those who are determined to succeed in the rap game
Jigga! Feel me
Jay-Z calling for attention and agreement from the listener
Pa-pause, told ya motherfuckers, told ya
Celebrating success and proving doubters wrong
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
Reiterating the comparison of the rap game to the drug game
Uhh, Roc-a-Fella
Shouting out Jay-Z's record label
(See that rap shit is really just like sellin' smoke)
Reiterating the comparison of the rap game to the drug game
Geyeah
Exclamation of enthusiasm and confidence
We treat this rap shit just like, handlin' weight
Comparing the process of succeeding in the rap game to dealing drugs
What they want we give it to 'em, what they abandon we take
Providing what the market demands and taking advantage of what is overlooked
Hit a rapper with consignment, let him know what's at stake
Offering a deal to another rapper and informing them of the risks and rewards
Put his ass in the studio, let him cook up a cake
Having the signed rapper create new music in the studio
When it's hot, get 'em a money spot in every state
Providing the signed rapper with opportunities to perform and make money in multiple states
Like the whiz in Camelot, the mom-and-pop's is the gate
Comparing finding the right music venues to trusted gatekeepers and a source of wealth
But first we scope shit, advertise in every area
Scouting out opportunities and promoting the music in a variety of locations
Let the fiends know hey, we got some dope shit
Informing the target audience that the music is high-quality and in demand
Gon' need a middle man, so we look to radio
Requiring a connection to the radio industry to reach a larger audience
Let 'em test the product, give 'em a promo show
Offering free samples to radio outlets to promote the music
Just a breeze, not enough to catch a real vibe
Acknowledging that initial promotion may not generate strong interest
Then we drop a maxi single and charge 'em two for five
Releasing a single with multiple tracks and charging a low price to attract buyers
Ain't tryna kill 'em at first just, building clientele
Building a loyal customer base before aggressively profiting
So when the album drops the first weeks it's on sale
Capitalizing on the strong customer base when releasing the full album
But when demand grows it's time to expand yo
Expanding opportunities and locations as demand increases
You don't want no garbage papi, it's ten grand for blow, fo' sho'
Ensuring high-quality music and demanding high prices as success grows
I got that uncut raw to make a fiend's body jerk
Referring to music as addictive and exciting
Got your whole block now, pumpin' my work
Gaining support and a following from a larger community
My CD's is like keys for you Willie's who
Comparing selling CDs to selling drugs on the street
Like to floss my cassette tapes in sixty-two's
Showing off one's music in a luxurious and flashy manner
And my singles like gems, you know the treys
Valuing and promoting individual tracks as valuable and rare commodities
Get you high for a while, but the, high don't stay
Music providing temporary excitement and enjoyment
You need another fix, you better cop these last two bricks
Encouraging continued support and purchases
'Cause when this shit flip, I'ma get on some other shit
Preparing for adapting and changing strategies when needed
Never pitching for a label, Jigga's the hook-up
Rejecting traditional methods of entering the music industry and relying on connections
You know my shit is fish scale, y'all niggas is cook up
Emphasizing the high quality of one's music compared to competitors
Just blow up, scream my name from Brooklyn to Da-kota
Encouraging fans and supporters to spread one's name and music
They know my shit stretch without the baking soda
Boasting about the versatility and range of one's music without needing additives
Went from an eighth, to a quarter, to a half a key
Growing in success and influence over time
Priority's work wasn't right so I switched factories
Leaving previous business dealings and finding better opportunities elsewhere
Now I'm the new nigga, who figured I'd get the game locked
Becoming successful and influential in the rap game despite initial doubts and challenges
Now watch how the prices of your cocaine drop, papa
Claiming to have power and authority in the rap industry that affects the entire market
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Willie Beck, James L. Williams, Marshall Jones, Leroy Bonner, Marvin Pierce, Ralph Middlebrooks, Clarence Satchell, Shawn Carter, Antwan Patton, Andre Benjamin, Nasir Jones, Chris Martin, Jonathan Burks, Rico Wade, Raymon Murray, Patrick Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phuse175
Are you kidding me!? Dre, Jay and Game and not even 500k views!? This is an outright classic right here
@ravibhatti746
It’s cause this track is not legit. Jay never got on this song with game. He never gave it to game. Game just put a verse on and put it on a mixtape. They were beefing at the time too. So it makes no sense.
@eyecontrol4900
@Ravi Bhatti this was the song that started the beef with Jayz and Game.
@rossfylesthadon1443
@Eye Control yeah Jay Z was crying because Game put it on his mixtape
@Gardenstateking
completely forgot about this joint until Ii saw a video about Game vs Jay-Z today. This stayed in rotation for me.
@mumin2153
Same Here
@TrifeMajors
That’s what brought me here lol
@Sifiso.Khumalo
Yo, who with me in 2019 still bumping this ish?
@liammichaels1360
awe g keeping it g
@thomassanderson4846
Still here g