SAN DIEGO — Ending a week of intense studying and preparation for midterms, Grossmont Audio student Vincenzo Ruffino celebrated by attending a life performance of Game, one of his favorite Westcoast, at 4th and B event center, on Thursday Oct. 20. The trouble was the artist was more like Off-His-Game
Game, part of the Compton scene, produces an intense, hardcore, no-holds-barred attitude, that has given his music much notoriety throughout the hip hop and rap world.
After three years in the making, Game released his fourth project, R.E.D. Album. Currently on tour, Game continues to deliver raw, honest and arrogant lyrics that take the gang-banging and hustle-hard motto of the hood straight to your ears, following that of his previous Billboard successes.
Originally signed by Dr. Dre of Aftermath/Interscope in 2003, Game’s erratic and defiant tendencies caused a bitter musical break-up between the Westcoast legend Dre and his newly signed protégé. This bad blood forged a new bond between Game and Geffen, where he has been for the past five years. With only one more album left in his contract, Game will essentially be a free man soon.
Long-time fan and music fanatic, Ruffino arrived at 1030 p.m. for the 1140p.m. scheduled show time but says he was shocked with the final opening act, Random Citizens. “They were more like the Ramones than a hip hop band. It kind of threw me a curve. The audience was more eclectic than a typical hood-rapping event.”
At 12:30 a.m., blazed in smoke, the raspy voiced emcee finally hit the stage. Accompanying him were a gang of his of Los Angeles-based entourage, glittering from the diamonds encrusted in each of their obscenely large chains. The 40 minute performance was laced with old school raps from his early years including: How We Do, Hate It or Love It and One Blood along with chart-topping new joints such as Red Nation and Martians VS Goblins, both featuring Lil Wayne.
When asked about the quality of the concert, Ruffino said he was “highly disappointed” with the lack of professionalism Game had on stage. “From forgetting the words to his own songs, to getting bored with the crowd response, and retaliating by pounding an entire bottle of Grey Goose Vodka on stage, Game’s sobriety and ultimately his stage presence quickly went down hill, fast.”
In a final overview of the show, Ruffino stated, “catching Game live in concert was definitely something to cross off my bucket list.”
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Fedor is arts and entertainment editor of the GC Summit. She may be contacted at [email protected]
