Controversy and corporate thuggin' can't stop The Game's stock from rising like yeast.

THE GAME IS A SENSITIVE THUG. Not that he's even a little bit soft-the 26-year-old Compton City G is Real™ like Milk. But, as opposed to the numb (and numbing) cardboard cutouts that populate the increasingly banal world of gangsta rap, Jayceon Taylor has a range of emotions. Being liked-by fans, other rappers, and his son-makes him happy. Being Dr. Dre's protégé (even in the past tense) makes him proud. Being betrayed by 50 Cent makes him mad. Being hated by 50's fans makes him sad. 

Like Eminem, and 2Pac before him, it's this-Game's vulnerability, versatility, and visceral passion-that connects with listeners. And it's why the Game, whose debut, The Documentary, has sold in excess of five million units, might just be the last great rap star. And it's why, despite being booted from G-Unit and then from Dre's Aftermath Records too (an embarrassment, some might say), his new album, The Doctor's Advocate, remains the year's most anticipated release. And it's why, despite having a roster of unknowns, his Black Wall Street label lies at the center of a bidding war. Game took a moment, feet from NYC's Wall Street (the decidedly white one), to talk with Complex about dreams, nightmares, and what's really going on with him and Dre.

After a lot of hand holding last time, now you're player and coach. How's that?

The Game: I'm one of the worst critics and the hardest on myself, so it's just been a battle with myself. I've been beating myself in the head for the last year and a half trying to get this record where I want it to be.

Well, being your own worst critic, what is your greatest weakness as an artist?

The Game: My greatest weakness is that I work too hard, because I always compare myself to Biggie, Pac, Jay-Z, Snoop, Big Daddy Kane, Ice Cube...I think my Top 5 dopest MCs ever already are solid, but I'm still trying to fight to be No. 6 or 7.

So, The Documentary-what is your biggest criticism of it?

The Game: The Documentary...I never really listened to it.

Really?

The Game: It's my album...like, who sits at a coffee table and looks at a picture of themself all day?

I reread my articles.

The Game: Yeah, but it's different with journalism. You gotta read it to make sure...well, you're writing about different people. My album is about me.

That's true.

The Game: You don't read your fuckin' diary all day.

I don't keep a diary, but I see your point. Still, you don't feel like it's important to analyze what you've done?

The Game: I just improve. I don't want to get trapped in The Documentary. It's not about that. It's about The Doctor's Advocate.

You stuck with that title despite the press release Interscope issued saying that you'd been moved off Dre's label to Geffen. Why?

The Game: It's not about being on Aftermath, it's not about having Dre's beats. It's about working close and getting game and soaking up knowledge from someone who I've worked with for the last five years as close as fucking Scottie Pippen and Jordan. If you talk to Scottie Pippen, he ain't never gonna say nothing bad about Mike; they did great things together.

Even though Mike was supposedly a dick...

The Game: Huh?

Well, people in the know seem to say that Mike was a dick the whole time.

The Game: Hey man, that's between Scottie and Mike. I don't know them personally, I just use it as a comparison.

So you don't feel like it's weird to be the Doctor's advocate if the Doctor's not necessarily being an advocate for you?

The Game: I mean...but what do you mean being an advocate for?

Putting his weight behind your project, giving you beats.

The Game: How about giving me a chance to feed my family for the rest of my life? Isn't that better than giving me a beat? He molded me into what I am today, which is amongst hip-hop's elite. How about my son's karate class? My son's school, his clothes, my mom's car, house, the things that I've been able to do for my dad and my homies? Home // CELEBRITIES // COVER STORY // The Game