Game on touring, connecting with fans and how he feels like 90 percent of rappers are pussy

​Known almost as much for controversy as he is for his husky vocals, Game (due tonight at the Ogden Theatre with Menace, Juice, and BLKHRTS) came onto the scene with a lot to say and even more to prove. The L.A. native has an unflinching loyalty to the West Coast, and he brings an intensity to the music that's matched by few. We recently spoke with rapper about life on the road, connecting with fans and the controversy surrounding him.

Westword: You've been on tour pretty heavy promoting The R.E.D. Album. What is the road like with the new material?

Game: Being on tour is like the coolest time ever because I get to go around the world and see all the fans I haven't seen in a while. It's like a reunion of some sorts because I have really dedicated fans, and so, the same ones come out to the shows, no matter what I'm doing. They look a little different because they've gotten older and I've also gotten older. We all come together again, and it's like magic. I perform the music they like, and that's doing them a service. They, in turn, do me a service by buying the music and concert tickets.

How are you maintaining such a connection with the fans, when, these days, music consumerism is pretty inconsistent?

I look them dead in the eye and focus on everyone that's in the room. There isn't anyone that I don't connect with when they're in the room. That's why I'm here, to connect with and be with the fans."

Would you prefer the live performance arena all of the time?

You know, it's like a college road trip. It's me and my brothers and the whole team. We deal with a lot, stinky feet, truck stops, McDonalds, eating Olive Garden and things like that, but it's really a good way to connect with my creativity. We're getting older, and sometimes the kids get loud at home, but being on the road, it's just the music.

What can we expect from your performance on Thursday, besides songs from The R.E.D. Album.

I'll definitely be performing new material. If I came out and didn't perform anything off The R.E.D. Album, tomatoes would get thrown at the stage. I perform the songs people want to hear. I read online, Twitter and all that, what people wanna see me perform, so I do about five songs from each album, and then throw in a few mixtape joints, too.

Are you less controversial right now, or is there just as much controversy surrounding you as always?

You know, I'm getting older now, so there's a lot less controversy. With age comes less violence, less controversy, less beef and all that. I feel like 90 percent of rappers are pussy anyway. There's really nobody left for me to kill. I got rid of all the ones that matter.

---

---

Follow Backbeat on Twitter: @westword_music

---