The Game is under fire for allegedly conning money out of multiple aspiring rappers.
According to a report from The Foo Community (via HipHopDX), the Compton rapper has been soliciting random rappers on social media for a spot on his compilation mixtapes. The report claims that he has been sending direct messages like “I see you working” before offering them a slot on one of his SoundCloud mixtapes in exchange for $500 to $1,000.
However, the rappers have complained that he posts the songs to an unofficial SoundCloud account called “The Game Playlist” with only 350 followers instead of his official account. “In addition, he doesn’t market it on Instagram or Facebook, nor makes an appearance on any on the songs,” adds the report.
The aspiring MCs are upset that they were tricked into thinking Game wanted to work with them and give them exposure, but it was merely to get them to buy a spot on his mixtapes. “They’re upset because he gives them a false sense of hope that maybe one day they can collab together,” says the report.
There have been over 1900 tracks uploaded to the SoundCloud account under various mixtape titles, but the majority of songs average 50 streams.
Game hasn’t addressed the allegations, but he reposted a couple rappers who were seemingly happy with their mixtape placement. “Shout out to @losangelesconfidential for putting my song on the tape,” wrote one, while another added, “Shout out to @losangelesconfidential for putting me on the mixtape a true honor.”
Some fans have speculated that Game has fallen on hard times after he was ordered to pay over $7 million in damages to a reality dating show contestant who accused him of sexual assault in 2016. As part of the judgment, the woman was granted ownership of Game’s independent label LA Prolific and royalties from his 2019 album Born 2 Rap.
UPDATE: Game has responded to the claims by clarifying that he’s not only giving the artists placement on his mixtapes, but also promoting their music via his social channels. He shared videos of himself listening to some of the submissions on Instagram.
“It’s not just a mixtape. I’m hosting singles and projects, going live, stories, video drops of me listening to their records,” he told Rap-Up.
Despite some complaints, several of the up-and-coming rappers who submitted their music have been happy with the exposure they’ve received and thanked Game for his support.