It’s been over a year since we’ve seen Jayceon Taylor on covers of magazines with a gun to his head, and crying on YouTube videos about hip-hop of the past. He’ll be the first to admit his life is an emotional roller-coaster, but nowadays The Game seems more content than usual.

And maybe he has good reason to be. He’s back working with Dr. Dre and says his forthcoming LP The R.E.D Album (due out February 16) is his favorite since The Documentary. He’s even feeling relieved that Jay-Z never responded to his sideways comments he made in his last Complex interview. Yesterday, we reconnected with Game to get his take on 50 baiting Jay into a battle, the new album, young rappers like Drake, and why Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine wants to reunite the hip-hop Beatles. It was Game on as usual…

Interview by Joe La Puma

Complex: Starting off, talk about the reasoning behind naming your new joint The R.E.D. Album.

Game: R.E.D is simply rededicated. That’s what R.E.D is, the r-e-d in red for me. And rededicated to what? My family, my craft, which is hip-hop, my fans, which are world wide, my children, my hood, my city, and what got me here—which is the color. I think that before I came out there was no red. There was Snoop, everybody was Crip walking. I came in, I took the color on as a whole. People just adapted to who I am and where I come from. I mean now, even Crips wear red.

Complex: How do you feel about other rappers who claim Blood and shout “Soo-Woo”?

Game: I mean, look what I did to Jim Jones, and look at Weezy, and look at Gucci Mane. I feel like I did that. It’s a free country. People can do whatever they want to do and if anything they’re just making me bigger and my legacy and where I come from and what I represent bigger.

Complex: I know Gucci Mane is on the album. What other collaborations can we expect?

Game: I got Rick Ross. I got Beanie Sigel, I got Jeezy. I finally did a song with Jeezy that’s fuckin’ crazy too. For the most part it’s me, with a couple of features from people I haven’t worked with yet—I always try to work with new people every album. But it’s people that I respect and that are also poppin’ in the world and that other people want to hear.

Complex: I read somewhere that there’s going to be some production by RZA. Is that true?

Game: RZA gave me a beat, which I am so fuckin’ ecstatic about. I appreciate it because he doesn’t make beats anymore. RZA gets paid millions of dollars now to score movies, big fuckin’ movies. So, for him to come in my studio and for him to say “Yo Game, I brought this beat to you and just listen to it and just tell me if you like it…” So I listened to it and I was so crazy about it. I called him and he was like, “Yo, you could have that beat.” That’s all it was and I ain’t talk to RZA since, shit [Laughs].

Complex: So Jay-Z did The Black Album, The Beatles did The White Album. How does The R.E.D. Album stack up against those masterpieces?

Game: I just would consider this my best effort since The Documentary. My favorite would be the Doctor’s Advocate, but The Documentary is my first album. It is to the people what Illmatic was to the people, what Ready to Die was, what Reasonable Doubt was, Straight Out of Compton, and all those albums. It’s the first album, so I kind of think that people are biased to say that it’s classic. But The R.E.D. Album is as dope as The Documentary was. There’s no controversy in my way. There’s nobody telling me to rap like this or anything, I’m just dead me on this album. I did it by myself, with the help of Dr. Dre this time and that was a breath of fresh air and relieved a lot of my stress and tension. It’s always easier when you’re rolling with that mastermind, man.

Complex: So working with Dre again, it seemed to piss 50 off a little bit…

Game: That made 50 mad, man.

Complex: Do you think it was a jealousy thing?

Game: 50’s just bitter, man. For what reason? I don’t know. He doesn’t have to be. Me and his beef is old at this point. It’s pure comedy for me at this point. When he says something, I laugh. If I shoot a shot back it’s just a joke at this point. Nobody is going to kill each other. Nobody is gonna beat each other’s ass. I’m not gonna do none of that. So we might as well get along. We exist in hip-hop. You know with opening arms he can re-join my band of brothers. Just say sorry and you want to make music. He’ll never be as big as he was and he’ll never be able to put out an album that people will be waiting for and anticipate as much without me, period. And I ain’t saying that he needs me, but me and him made the best records together. I understand it, he needs to understand it, and maybe one day we’ll record. He said recently in an interview that he’ll never work with Game again but that’s all him talking and his ego. I can’t wait to mend the ties with Eminem. Me and Eminem had never been at odds but he had to take 50’s side. That’s his artist and his homie and what not, and I understood it but I’d love to get back with Eminem and work again and sort of restructure the Voltron if you will.

Complex: Even though he says he won’t work with you, it seems like right now you’re telling me you’d definitely work with 50 again…

Game: ‘Cause I don’t hold grudges. Like, it’s hip-hop, man. We’re not fuckin’ WWF wrestlers, we’re not boxers man, it’s just hip-hop. It’s just make music or don’t make music. It’s not a gang war, like he’s not a Crip and I’m a Blood, and this ain’t fuckin’ ‘85, and I’m not gonna ride through his hood and do a drive by, like it’s not that serious, bruh. It’s just hip-hop and I think that he’s more bitter towards me then anyone else he’s had drama with because look what I did to his brand. I killed G-Unit. I killed the clothes, I killed the brand, I killed Tony Ya-Yo, Banks, and Buck at that time. Like I really fucked up a lot of money for that dude. Not only for him but my label, Jimmy Iovine, who at this point, I’m apologetic to.

Complex: Is the label situation cool now?

Game: I’ve mended the wounds at Interscope. You know I went against my own label and I came out the smoke with my hands held high and my head, man. So I mean, I don’t know what 50’s problem is but I’m here. Whenever he wants to call me on the phone and talk about it, squash it or we can keep on going with this fucking child- like antics. He can do it, I can do it and we can do it ’til we fuckin’ die, it makes me no difference, man.

Complex: Interesting…

Game: If he ever wants to do something of catastrophic proportion, then we could. If we said tomorrow Game and 50 are coming out with an album, you know how many motherfuckin’ antennas would go up? We could still sell a million records just off promoting it alone. I mean, I understand the business aspect of it. I understand that you know, he’s got a big ego. I’m just not one with it, I don’t have one. I forgive and forget and that’s life. One day you’re alive and the next day you die. So why spend it bitter and mad at the fuckin’ world, man? I don’t understand it.

Complex: 50’s been baiting Jay-Z recently. As someone who’s had issues with both of them, how do you feel about him going after Jay?

Game: Oh yeah, I already did that Jay-Z thing. 50’s just doing what I’m doing. Nobody went at Jay, I went at Jay. Now everybody wants to get at Jay, not saying anything about Beanie Sigel, that’s personal and I stay out of that. He’s just a man and he’s got all the right in the world, but I feel like I did something that people have been wanting to do, but everybody is scared because Jay-Z is so lyrically inclined to cut your throat and your career in half that nobody wanted to do it. But me? I just don’t give a fuck sometimes.

Complex: What do you think that the result of that battle would be?

Game: Jay-Z will fuck 50 up in a battle! It would be so fast and over with. 50 is funny, but Jay is witty. Jay-Z is not to be toyed with. If he fuckin’ responds, if he feels like you’re really pissing him off and he responds, he’s gonna fuck you up! He would fuck me up, I’m just glad he didn’t fuckin’ respond, so I didn’t have to go dig in my fuckin’ bag and try to fuck him up. I definitely think that Jay-Z didn’t come at me like he came at any other rappers because I definitely would have been more disrespectful and once you start a beef with me you better be ready to go the whole motherfuckin’ 12 rounds because I will try to chew your fuckin’ ear off like Mike Tyson. I’ll do it and I think he knew that—I’m disrespectful. So Jay, he did the right thing and just kinda let it die down and I let it die down ’cause it wasn’t anything really. It was fuckin’ fun and I really admire Jay’s career. I just really don’t care too much for the man himself.

Complex: Now, I saw on your Twitter that you were talking to Shyne recently.

Game: Yeah, I talked to him for about an hour. Just about his well being and both of our next moves. What I thought he should do and he listened and held me on my thoughts and he gave me a lot of insight on my career and what he thought of my career from the several years while he’s been locked down. He’s the reason why I’m not ready to jump into beefs and controversy today because he kind of shed light on some different situations and it gave me a different perspective. Which is one that I respect being that he’s been behind those bars. So we just chopped it up about life and issues and each other, man.

Complex: Last year we saw you on the cover of The Source with a gun to your head and you were saying some days are good, some days are bad. What is your mind frame like today?

Game: I’m in such a fuckin’ good mood man, you could damn near run in my front yard and blow up my car and I would just smile at you. I might fuckin’ shoot you with a sling-shot or something, but I’m definitely less drama filled and I’m just having a good time with my music and my life. I’ve been going out a couple of nights with my boys and drinkin’ and hangin’ and chillin’ and I’m just having fun. You know, the other night I was in a club out here with a couple of billionaire homies and we bought some Ace of Spades and joked about Jay-Z, but at least we contributed 17 grand. It costs 17 grand in the club and five grand on the fuckin’ street. We bought it and just balled out man. In the name of Jay-Z, H-O-V, R-O-C, ya heard? [Laughs]

Complex: [Laughs] I noticed that you Twitter a lot. What rap blogs do you read?

Game: Rap blogs? None. Man I don’t fuckin’ buy XXL anymore, unless I see them around in the studio anymore, [but] I won’t pick them up. I’m so lost, like people were telling me, “Yo, you gotta hear this new kid, J. Cole.” Like people had to force feed me Drake, I never even heard him until a while after he started blowing up and then I became a fan. But I’m so out of the fuckin’ loop. Like I got my Biggie greatest hits, my Makavelli, my fuckin’ EPMD albums in every car. So I don’t know what’s going on currently in hip-hop, unless it pertains to me and my career directly.

Complex: There’s not a young rapper who really impressed you?

Game: Oh, Drake’s the man! Drake is fuckin’ phenomenal. I like Drake, he’s dope as fuck. Lyrically that dude, the shit he says and where he gets it from is crazy. Drake is dope. I haven’t heard a bad song yet.

Complex: So going back to the label situation, it seems like everything is smooth with Interscope?

Game: Everything that happened in my career was nobody’s fault but mine. They run a business and I went against that business and, I paid for it. With the loss of the group aspect. Jimmy Iovine likes to say, “Thanks for breaking up the Beatles, Game. Thank you.”

Complex: And he’s referring to you…

Game: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. I’m John Lennon and 50 is Paul McCartney and Jimmy always says, “Thanks for breaking up the Beatles, man, you guys are worth more together. So I don’t know what the fuck you guys are doing. Whenever you guys want to fuckin’ get your heads out your asses. Come sit down and take a meeting, make some money, we can talk. Until then, just keep the shit out of my office.” That’s Jimmy Iovine for you, man.

RELATED: A History Of The Game’s Beefs
• CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COMPLEX MUSIC POSTS!

Each day Complex scours the music blogs for 5 fresh songs that you should listen to in our 5 O’Clock Shuffle post. Instead of going crazy trying to keep up with your RSS feeds everyday, just head over to Complex.com to stay up-to-date on important leaks and releases.

Today wasn’t a bad day on the music blogs. The Game finally dropped something that may or may not be on his next album. Wayne songs keep leaking. Chris Brown released his second single. We have all of that and a couple more songs for you to download. Keep reading to check ‘em out…

SONG: “Heaven”
ARTIST: The Game
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• This might wind up on The R.E.D. Album, which is scheduled for a December 1 release date (yeah, right). Unlike most of his stuff from the summer, this isn’t a diss record.

SONG: “Thinking To Myself”
ARTIST: Lil’ Wayne f/ Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine & Kidd Kidd
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• While Wayne is preoccupied with a court appearance today, someone must be taking the opportunity to run through his vaults because songs are leaking left and right. This is a Young Money cut from the pre-Drake days.

SONG: “Crawl”
ARTIST: Chris Brown
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• The second single from Graffiti. The day after his ex-girl dropped her single too. Coincidence? Probably not.

SONG: “Baggage Claim”
ARTIST: 88 Keys
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• Looks like 88 has another obsession besides Polo Ralph Lauren. This joint is dedicated to Lost. Must-download for fans of the show.

SONG: “Private Party (Girl U Know)”
ARTIST: Jamie Foxx
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• Previously only available as a snippet, the full version has finally leaked. Not our fav from Foxx, but it’s something to keep the playlist fresh.

Visit Complex.com every day at 5 PM for your daily “5 O’Clock Shuffle“ playlist.

Each day Complex scours the music blogs for 5 fresh songs that you should listen to in our 5 O’Clock Shuffle post. Instead of going crazy trying to keep up with your RSS feeds everyday, just head over to Complex.com to stay up-to-date on important leaks and releases.

Like every other living citizen, you’re probably ready for the weekend. Well, enjoy the last few days of summer the right way and don’t waste any time on the computer looking for new songs. We got five new tracks for you to listen to and download for the next playlist you fire up. Get your weekend started after the jump…

SONG: “Trunk Music”
ARTIST: Strong Arm Steady f/ The Game
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• Strong Arm Steady teamed up with The Game for this ode to trunk-rattling sound systems. Hopefully yours can handle the bump.

SONG: “Pick Up The Phone”
ARTIST: Dragonette
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• This should be reminiscent of your sister’s pop music that you’re embarassed to enjoy. No shame here though. This song is quite the jam if you’re willing to disregard your masculinity for a few minutes.

SONG: “Pusha”
ARTIST: Lloyd f/ Lil’ Wayne
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• The frequent collaborators are together again over this smooth beat from The Runners. Wayne ousted his buddy Juelz Santana from the original version of the song, but we actually like his verse more.

SONG: “Don’t Give Up”
ARTIST: Lake
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• This sounds like something you’d hear in an excessively quirky indie flick, but those type of songs are usually dope, so fuck it. This breezy little number from Lake does the genre justice.

SONG: “What’s The Answer”
ARTIST: Termanology f/ Ea$y Money
DOWNLOAD: [LINK]
• We’re pretty weary of underground, “record labels are evil,” type of rap, but this song isn’t that bad. The message is a little preachy, but someone has to do it. At least they can rap.

Visit Complex.com every day at 5 PM for your daily “5 O’Clock Shuffle“ playlist.

Since the label has started inviting refugees from other labels to join its roster, we decided to suggest some other artists in need of a career boost who could benefit from getting down with Cash Money. Check out the fake album covers and details behind our proposed projects below…

ARTIST: LL Cool J
CASH MONEY DEBUT: Baby Said Knock You Out
THE PITCH: After failing to go gold for the first time in his career with 2008’s Exit 13, Uncle L is a free agent in need of some serious career counseling. Who better to get him back into fighting shape than Birdman? Please, call it a comeback!
STANDOUT TRACKS: “Purple Syrup In a Styrofoam Cup Getting Drunk By Weezy,” “Tuesday & Thursday (Time To Take My Heart Pills),” “Jingling, Baby” (f/ Birdman’s Balls)

ARTIST: The Game
CASH MONEY DEBUT: 1,000,000 Degreez
THE PITCH: First Juvenile put Cash Money on the map with his album 400 Degreez. Then Weezy threw a subliminal at him with 500 Degreez. Then Juvenile responded with 600 Degreez. And now The Game ups the ante (as he always does), rehashing and name-dropping everything his labelmates did before he joined the team, with even more degreez. A million of ’em!
STANDOUT TRACKS: “I Feel Like Dying, Too!”, “I’m So Whodi,” “One More Blood,” “Slim’s Advocate,” “I Am The Hot Boyz”

CLICK NEXT FOR THREE MORE FUTURE CASH MONEY CLASSICS!

It wasn’t a TKO in any sense, but don’t think Jayceon’s going to throw in the towel anytime soon. Dude has racked up more beef in the five years he’s been in the hip-hop game than, well, probably anyone. Don’t believe us? We’ve compiled all 25 of Game’s disputes into one comprehensive blog post, staggering evidence that the dude doesn’t play nice with others. Take a look back below…

THE GAME VS JAY-Z (2005 – Present)
• Cause: Who really knows? The Game has been dissing and praising Jay-Z since his first album. “Dear Summer”, particularly the DJ Clue version, was once viewed as Hov’s most open diss towards Game. They also traded subliminal lines on Game’s “It’s Okay (One Blood)” and Jay’s “The Prelude.”

The Game “I’m So Wavy”

Jay-Z “Blueprint 3 Intro (Live)”

• Effect: Game’s dream came true when Jay finally mentioned him by name during a live performance of Blueprint 3’s intro, prompting the “I’m So Wavy” diss.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

THE GAME VS VIDEO VIXENS (2006)
• Cause: On his Kanye West assisted single, “Wouldn’t Get Far”, the rapper called out Vida Guerra, Melyssa Ford, and Gloria Velez, insinuating that they only got famous by providing sexual favors. Game also claimed to have finger-banged Vida during a NYC radio interview.

The Game feat. Kanye West “Wouldn’t Get Far”

Vida Guerra responds. [WATCH IT]

• Effect: Vida responded in a radio interview and disputed any sexual contact with The Game.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

THE GAME VS 50 CENT (2005 – 2009)
• Cause: Shortly after the release of The Documentary, 50 took a strong disliking to Game’s desire to work with some of G-Unit’s enemies. “300 Bars” was amongst Game’s first disses (of many) towards the Unit.

The Game “300 Bars And Runnin’” [LINK]

50 Cent “Not Rich, Still Lyin’”

• Effect: Dozens of diss songs, two failed peace treaties, several online videos, and one wounded entourage member later, The Game apologized to 50 Cent “as a man,” acknowledging that he “did a lot of dumb things.”
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

THE GAME VS RAS KASS (2006)
• Cause: Ras Kass confronted The Game in an L.A. nightclub about lyrics he felt were directed towards his son. The situation got heated and led to Game supposedly hitting Ras over the head with a bottle, although that has been disputed.

Ras Kass calls out The Game. [WATCH IT]

The Game responds. [WATCH IT]

• Effect: Of course, that incident led to a diss from Ras Kass, but Game never responded, claiming that it would be a waste of time because his opponent’s career was already over. The beef was never formally squashed despite Snoop Dogg’s repeated attempts to mediate the feud.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

THE GAME VS BOW WOW (2008)
• Cause: Bow Wow proceeded to challenge his friend and known gamer, The Game. Okay, this is more of a digital beef than a real beef, but what’s the difference these days anyway?

Bow Wow challenges The Game. [WATCH IT]

The Game accepts the challenge. [WATCH IT]

• Effect: The Game beat Bow Wow in the Madden Showdown. Badly.

CLICK NEXT TO SEE MORE OF GAME’S DISPUTES!

Memphis-bred, Atlanta-based producer Drumma Boy has been quickly adding hits to his discography. Within the past few years, the 25-year-old musician has worked with T.I. (”What Up, What’s Haapnin’”), Gorilla Zoe (“Lost”), and most memorably, Young Jeezy (“Put On”); along the way, he’s even earned two Grammy nominations. Drumma recently released a free mixtape (Welcome II My City), and his latest work with Plies (“Plenty Money”) is steadily heating up the clubs (and the Complex office…Big Face Hunnids!!).

In addition to his studio work, the classically-trained beatsmith is gaining more attention these days for his role on BET’s reality show Welcome to Dreamland (Tuesdays, 10:30 p.m.), where two teams of aspiring singers (one headed by Drumma Boy, and the other by Jazze Pha) compete for a recording contract. On top of our usual Complex 7, the speaks on the show, working with The Game, and how he’s ready to compete against Quincy Jones and Dr. Dre…

Interview by Jaeki Cho

 #1: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Drumma Boy says: I’ll have to say the Jordans. I wear them all the time. I’m looking at my closet right now, and all I see are Jordans and Chuck Taylors.

 #2: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Drumma Boy says: That’s a good question. I regret wearing Tommy Hilfiger, man. Tommy was a little trend that was going on for a minute. I look at that shit now and I’m like, “How the fuck was I wearing Tommy fucking Hilfiger?” It’s just not fly, man.

 #3: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Drumma Boy says: Water for me, man. Without water I get headaches. Body shuts down and all types of shit.

 #4: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Drumma Boy says: All of my breakups been cool, man. I’m not really on that drama shit. But there was an instance when I produced for a group of individuals, where I showed them love, I gave them music, and I put them out. Then they hated on me. It might have been some homeboys I came up with. But shit, I cut off anything that’s not supposed to be around me, man.

 #5: WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Drumma Boy says: There was one chick who was bad as a mu’fucka. She was cool, but just her brain…I mean the conversation was just…the first three words that came out of her mouth just turned me off. She was concerned about the wrong shit. She was like 29, but she was still on some, “What kind of ride is that, what kind of rim is that.” Like who cares?

 #6: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Drumma Boy says: I’ll still be in the studio. We might go bowling or something with a bunch of ladies, and just kick it. But majority of the time, I’m working.

 #7: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Drumma Boy says: Probably when my grandmother died. When I was like 11 or 12? I remember getting super mad when I was watching Roots. You know how you get teary when you’re super, super mad? But that’s about it.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

Complex: What has been the response thus far to Welcome to Dreamland?

Drumma Boy: We got a good look nationally. It’s the number-one show in Atlanta. A lot of girls, and people’s aunties calling me crying. Even junkies started showing me love after the show. I’m getting a lot of positive feedback. We really made a lot of dreams come true, and we really did change every girl’s life. Unlike other music shows where they sing other people’s songs, for this show we actually had to write our own songs, and create artistic images for these girls with a team of photographers, writers, and choreographers.

Complex: How did they approach you for the show?

Drumma Boy: Actually this show belongs to Vawn who is the host of the show. Initially, if I’m not mistaking, it was Jazze versus Polow da Don. But I think Polow’s schedule was too busy. So they reached out to me, and did couple interviews. They liked my personality and music. Plus, it just happened to be that both Jazze and I are from Memphis doing it big in Atlanta. It’s also crazy because Jazze’s like my godfather. I learned a few things from him coming up.

Complex: Do you think you have a good chance against Jazze Pha’s team?

Drumma Boy: Anybody I go up against I have a great chance. I’ll have a great chance if I was going up against Timbaland, Dr. Dre, and The Neptunes. If they were to put me up against a blues artists or a jazz artist I would’ve been able to jam out. Whatever genre of music you give me I’m cooking it up. I could go up against Quincy Jones, man! I write and compose all the instruments in my music. I do it all.

Complex: Out of your team, who do you think has the most mass appeal?

Drumma Boy: Man, I think the big girl. I don’t recall her name. I just call her the big girl. Oh! Sabrina. I think she’s definitely someone to lookout for, man.

Complex: I know you mostly work with artists from the South, but do you have any plans on working with artists from other coasts?

Drumma Boy: I’m working with The Game, and a lot of West Coast artists, man. I’m about working with the next generation out there. We definitely got the West Coast banging.

Complex: So The Game’s retirement plans are thrown out, huh?

Drumma Boy: Yea, I heard about that, but I think he’s definitely working on another album, man. [Laughs.]

The NYC-born, Minnesota-raised DJ got his first break as a teenager when Stretch Armstrong introduced him to Steve Rifkind. The SRC owner liked young Skee’s ideas, and eventually brought him on as a consultant. Since then, Skee has helped launch the careers of Akon and The Game. Recently we got a chance to chat with Skee for another round of The Complex 7 in which he professed his love for Jordans and discussed how he put Chris Cornell on to Twitter. To read Skee’s answers and hear a snippet from his new tape, see below…


Snippet from The Demo Tape by DJ Drama, DJ Skee & R. Kelly

Interview by Jaeki Cho

#1: WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

DJ Skee says: Girls who are around for the wrong intentions. Especially in L.A. it’s tough because they are so many actors and singers. And their looks matter. I might sound superficial, but I’m just being real.

#2: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

DJ Skee says: I could be a jerk sometimes. I just turn my phone off and be an asshole.

#3: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

DJ Skee says: I’m not going to lie. I’m sensitive. I don’t recall what it was, but I know it wasn’t a romantic comedy. [Laughs.] I was probably watching a rerun of Forrest Gump. That’s real, man. When Bubba dies? Man…

#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK-LONG HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

DJ Skee says: I’m dreaming someday when I could literally leave my phone home and just go to an island with a dope-ass spa in a nice hotel. Hang out, get on the beach all day and get a massage. Just do nothing and get your mind right.

#5. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

DJ Skee says: Air Jordan XI. The first shoe I ever got was the Air Jordan X. Those were all right; I just got them to say that I have a pair of Jordans. But when the XIs came out? Those shut the game down. Shoes are like wine—some age well, some don’t. But Jordan XI is a classic. It actually looks better over time. So I literally have a hundred pairs of Jordan XIs in my room in various colors. And as a kid I had a Jordan XI in black and white, but couldn’t get the red and black. So when they retro’d those, I bought literally like 40 pairs.

#6: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

DJ Skee says: I really can’t remember this one. [Laughs.]

#7: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

DJ Skee says: Well, I don’t drink liquor and I don’t even drink soda. So all I have is water and juice.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

Complex: What’s the latest mixtape that you are coming out with?

DJ Skee: I got one with Chris Cornell. It’s kind of like a mash-up with hip-hop, rock and soul. The new album that Timbaland produced for [Chris Cornell] got some backlash. I mean Chris Cornell from Soundgarden has one of the greatest voices in rock history, but rap fans just aren’t familiar with him. People just don’t open their ears. This mixtape is going to have all the old and new rock and hip-hop mash ups just to show that, “Yo, good music is good music.”

Complex: How did you get to work with Chris Cornell?

DJ Skee: His camp actually hit me up. He is just a super cool, workaholic dude. We just premiered [Chris Cornell’s] video “Long Gone” that we directed. I was the first person who really got him on Twitter. Now he has like 300,000 followers in a month. He didn’t know what it was and he didn’t know how to reply back to people with certain stuff. So I just took a day out, went to his house, showed him how to use it through BlackBerry and showed him how to upload pictures. He is addicted to it now. Even at KIIS-FM, I was in a meeting and I was like, “Twitter’s the next thing.” And everyone was like, “What is Twitter?” Now everybody’s on it.

Think you were having a bad day? Just be lucky you weren't driving this truck. [TotallyCrap]

And we thought we were tense at the airport. [Attuworld]

We're guessing she's a Duke Blue Devil fan. [DoubleViking]

If you were away from the Internet all day click HERE to get caught up.

Your afternoon pick me up: Jannelle Priego. [Flisted]

The Game is a huge video gamer, and he enjoys growing out his beard. [Nah Right]

Check out clean pics of the white patent/dark army Jordan Vs that leaked a few days ago. [Nice Kicks]

Introduce yourself to Jessica Leigh. [CoedMag]

After the clothing money gets boring, you better get that sneaker paper. Diamond is all over this DVS Pack. [Ctothejl]

Suprisingly, The Game is riding with 50 on the whole Rick Ross beef. [Nah Right]

Life would be so much better if we had these girls as our personal assistants. [DoubleViking]

If the inventor of this “uncomb” makes a million dollars, we're going to be very upset. [Like Cool]

Missed out on Ms. Katie's interview with Lil Wayne? Brace yourself. [Drunken Stepfather]

Fabolous hooks up with The Game on this “Where You From” track. [Nah Right]

Howard Stern copped a $150 Public School shirt, and then bitched about the annoying tag during his radio show. [ASilentFlute]

Here's a list of hip-hoppers and bloggers you should be following on twitter. [TheRapUp]

Good news everybody, there's still dope jackets out there for under $500. This Nixon zip-up clocks in at $150. [Ctothejl]

Check out this new track from The Game titled “The Show Is Over”. [Nah Right]

Kobe will be rocking these kicks at this year's All Star Game. [Nice Kicks]

Save $2,500 off this round pool table. What a steal! [Ballerhouse]

Listen to 40 inspiration speeches in 2 minutes. [Double Viking]

The Game is dropping a DVD October 21. Check out the trailer. [Nah Right]

Score Blitz: The League for free by coming up with a witty caption. [Das Gamer]

The Nike Air Flight Lite Citron just dropped at Finishline. Cop'em. [Nice Kicks]

And now, the best picture from last night's Presidential debate. [Like Cool]

We still wish that these lesbians were straight. [LINK]

The Game told us that Jay-Z would be a piece of cake. [LINK]

Looking back on it, Archie definitely had some suspect moments. [LINK]

And From The Complex Network

Nice Kicks: Nike Sportswear set up shop. [LINK]

Nah Right: Faith Evans is releasing her memoirs, and she wrote about the time she went to 'Pac's hotel room. [LINK]

Bastardly: If Kim's not available, we'll settle for Kourtney Kardashian any day. [LINK]

Das Gamer: Step into the karaoke dojo with lips. [LINK]

When we spoke with Game yesterday, he seemed more outspoken and at ease than ever. In this exclusive interview with Complex, he welcomes a battle with Jay-Z (relax, there's no diss record coming…yet), explains why Dr. Dre can’t finish Detox without him, and confesses that Young Buck is one of his best friends…

Interview By Joe La Puma

Complex: After “My Life,” what will the next single off L.A.X. be?

The Game: I don't know. I usually let the streets pick the third single. The streets, and the radio will dictate what that's going to be. Once the album drops, we'll pretty much know what that is. “My Life” just came out so we're going to give that some time to breathe. It's doing good, getting rave reviews.

Complex: The video focuses on Sean Bell, and a while back there was another video of you getting emotional over his murder. Do you think it’s easier for rappers to show their human side now?

The Game: I really don't know about that, man. I just know about myself, and the stuff that I do. The whole situation was really heartfelt. It was a situation gone wrong, all the way down to the police officers getting acquitted, to the loss of Sean Bell. I just wanted to jump in there head first. When I speak, people listen, so I thought I'd just take some time and shed some light on that situation.

Complex: Buck took a lot of flack for the leaked phone call of him crying. Did that surprise you?

The Game: Nah, I don't care about that. Everybody cries'men, women, children. Whenever you’re emotional about anything in life, you're going to shed a tear. Buck shed some tears. I already knew what 50 was up to with that, trying to show a way to expose Buck. He was emotional and I understand that. As a man, I get emotional and cry sometimes. Whenever you're touched by something that much and it's tearing you up inside, you're going to shed a tear. For another man to try and expose that, that's low and despicable.

Complex: Buck was in the “My Life” video. What’s your relationship like with him now?

The Game: Me and Young Buck, it's always been 100. We've been cool the whole time. We just never spoke on our friendship or camaraderie, due to the fact that he was signed to G-Unit. I didn't want to mess up the situation. I've been talking to Buck ever since I got kicked out of G-Unit, that's my man. One of my best friends in hip-hop today and it's going to stay that way.

Complex: Did he ever imply that he wasn't happy in that camp?

The Game: Neither one of us were feeling what 50 was doing at the time we were in G-Unit. I was just the person who couldn't put up with it anymore, first.

Complex: Are you doing a mixtape together?

The Game: Yeah, people are making a big deal out of that, but it's just simple. Buck and I are going to do a mixtape, we're going to put something out in the streets and they're definitely going to feel it because it's me and him, and we were the dopest artists in G-Unit anyway. We held that group together. The world feels that me and Buck were the glue'once you’re done with the glue, then the fuckin’ shit falls apart. You saw what happened with their latest release. It's trash.

Complex: Did the lackluster sales of Terminate On Sight surprise you?

The Game: No, man'they died after “300 Bars.” I went to the funeral and everything, sat in the front row with the family.

Complex: After recent interviews and imagery on covers of magazines, people have been wondering about your mental state…

The Game: Some days are good days, some days are bad days. That just goes for everyone. We have to weather the storm, and as human beings, we're fitted enough to do that. Today is a good day'I've been grinding in and out of these cities. I've got nothing but positive feedback, everyone is feeling the project and they're saying it's my strongest effort. Right now, in hip-hop, it's me and Lil Wayne. Hate it or love it.

Hit “NEXT” to read the rest of this interview, including Game’s thoughts on a possible beef with Jay-Z!

Originally designed for all-weather running, the Windrunner is famous for its lightweight nylon construction and distinctive V-shaped design. Nike is treating its 30-year-old Windrunner template like the Air Force 1 of jackets, dropping a bunch of artist-designed and country-themed flavors, some of which will be available at its spankin’ new Soho store. Are you a Windhumper or a Winddumper? Vote below…

On the song, which features Lil Wayne’s auto-tune crooning on the hook, Game contemplates suicide and gets into the deterioration of his relationship with Eminem: “All the pictures of me and Em, I burned 'em.” Awww. Listen to “My Life” below.

The Game feat. Lil Wayne “My Life”

[Nah Right]

Nowadays it seems as though rappers are getting back on the trend'The Game was spotted rocking a LV-emblazed one in his recent video for “Game’s Pain” featuring Keyshia Cole. We know it never rains in California so maybe he uses it to dry his tears…? It’s possible. Could you see yourself copping a wallet-busting piece of cloth this summer? Vote to “hump” or “dump” on this trend below.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

The Game gets emotional over Sean Bell and the state of hip-hop. [Nah Right]

Who cares what this anchor is reporting, look at those twos! [Double Viking]

Swim while listening to music with the waterproof MP3 Player. [Like Cool]

Gabriel Urist pumped out some gems for the MLB All-Star Game [SlamxHype]

In response to the Sean Bell verdict, The Game is going extra hard (nhjic) at the po-po. [Nah Right]

Stash is back on his AF1-shit, this time with a black high-top. [SlamXHype]

The Houston Rockets offer their best impersonation of blocking-machine Dikembe Mutombo. [Holy Taco]

Life with Catrinel Menghia would be verrry niceeee. [Double Viking]