Contrary to the impression created by a recent radio interview, The Game says he has no desire to engage in a battle of words with Jay-Z.
This comes after the Cali rappers comments with Phoenix radio personality Chino of 104.7 KISS FM, during which he broached the subject of beefing with Jay, making statements that appeared to be batting the former Def Jam president.
But Game clarifies that the statements were made in response to an alleged incident of which he has no proof.
I heard that Jay sorta said something about me at the Wimbledon tennis match, The Game told AllHipHop.com exclusively. I didnt see him say it, I didnt hear no audio so I dont really know if he was dissing me, if he said something about me.
Rumors of animosity between the two artists surfaced in 2005, following the release of a Jay-Z freestyle verse that seemed to be taking aim at the then G-Unit member.
Still, while Game says he recognizes Jay-Zs ability to subliminally attack an opponent, something which he says hes incorporated into his own style, the rapper maintains he has no desire to fuel the rumor mill.
What people dont know about Jay is Jay is probably the most witty rapper that ever walked the face of the earth, Game explained. Hes witty, hes clever. His metaphors will be sitting right next to you and then hit you in the face so hard that you dont know what happened. Thats the type of rapper Jay is. I was molded by that part of him and added that to my own persona and my own marksmanship as an emcee.
Jay-Zs a legend, man. I respect his music, [but that] doesnt really mean I have to respect him if hes disrespecting me. The Jay that was talking about me at Wimbeldon under his breath, or says anything about me, is the Jay that Ill go at, and thats just it. Jay the rap artist, Jay the legend, Jay from Marcy Projects; that hustler turned dope artist, turned probably best lyricist that ever lived: I have respect for. Im not gonna add wood to a fire thats already burning out.
LAX, which Game has said will be his last offering as an artist, is due in stores on August 26.
The star-studded opus features appearances by Lil Wayne, Nas, Common, Ludacris, Raekwon and Ice Cube, as well as R&B inflections courtesy of Bilal, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Ne-Yo, and Keyshia Cole, who appears on the albums lead single Games Pain.
The album also serves as a springboard for Games renewed focus on building his Black Wall Street imprint.
I have a slew of producers and Im starting to develop artists and getting more focused, he says. This my third album, and its time to focus on my folks. And my label. The camps on the album. So were just learning each other, growing as a family, and were gonna do big things in 2009 and the years to come.
LAX features productions by two of BWSs producers: Tre Beatz and E.P., contributed three tracks and served as the albums executive producer.
