The Game joined The Breakfast Club on Friday (9/23) for an extended conversation. There ostensibly to promote his forthcoming album, 1992, he spent the vast majority of his time discussing his current beef with Meek Mill, including vast details about its genesis, the making of his scathing “Pest Control” diss, and how he would like to resolve the feud (knuckles or words, but no guns). While that topic has been covered extensively throughout the week, the conversation leading into the discussion was noteworthy in its focus on Game’s lyrical ability, which often has been overlooked and even questioned, with persistent allegations of ghostwriting.

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While commenting on the album, which he heard at a listening session, DJ Envy emphasized how lyrical it was. “It gives you that old, mixtape, ‘I’m really spittin’ type of vibe, like ‘F’ a single,” said Envy of the project (2:00). Picking up on the point, Charlamagne Tha God asks Game “Do you consider yourself top 3 lyricists from LA?” Without hesitation, Game says “From Los Angeles? I gotta be.” Charlamagne concurs stating “I say you, Ras Kass and Xzibit,” then mentioning Kurupt because, although he is from Philadelphia, he is predominantly associated with Los Angeles through his affiliation with Tha Dogg Pound and Death Row Records.

When Charlamagne clarifies that he means “bars, line for line,” Game pauses and reflects before saying “I had to pick 3, I would say it’s a Kendrick thing. Can’t leave him out. That kid is amazing, and he’s very lyrical. I would definitely say Kurupt, because of what he did at a time where West Coast cats wasn’t doing that. And, then, me. I gotta throw myself in there. It’s unanimous.” Other names are mentioned, like Ras Kass and Xzibit, with Game agreeing, and when his manager Wack 100 mentions Crooked I (now known as Kxng Crooked), Game says “It gotta be a top 5. Crook is…Everybody that know Hip-Hop, you know that Crook…You forget, but you know that lyrically…” He is cut off, but it is clear that he has immense respect for the Statik Selektah-collaborator and Slaughterhouse member.

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While all the names mentioned are undoubtedly phenomenal lyricists, some notable omissions from the discussion include Ice Cube, MC Ren and Snoop Dogg, who paved the way for The Game. Members of The Pharcyde, Tha Alkoholiks and Dilated Peoples also might want to throw their hat in the ring, as well as the ever-consistent Murs. There’s no question, however, that The Game is not included in the conversation as much as he should be.