The rise of Jayceon Taylor - aka The Game - is a textbook case of rap's rags to riches. He came straight out of Compton but now lives in luxury in Burbank. In between lies a familiar story of supposed drive-bys, crack deals, a near-fatal shooting and feuds with former cohorts 50 Cent and Dr Dre. His unit-shifting lyrics advertise his gangsta credentials - "I'm a G, can't you see?" - so loudly that when the venue's security staff frisk and use metal detectors on audience members going in, you wonder how on earth they dealt with the artist.
The Game's live show is untroubled by rap cliches. He asks us to "make some noise" and informs us that he's in the "motherfucking building". However, the atmosphere inside is unexpectedly cuddly, as hip-hop fans old and young film the man on mobile phones. The music itself twins grime with the melodious 1990s west coast sounds of Snoop and Warren G and The Game's one rapper-and-DJ format is even older than these influences. It's refreshing to see a rapper not relying on a "posse". Taylor's flow is as exemplary, but he gradually loses impetus as an onstage drinking competition coaxes an unfortunate named Colin into downing a bottle of cognac.
Finally, the Game rouses himself for what the people came to hear. Too Much has a killer hook, and The Doctor's Advocate is a surprisingly emotional apology to Dre. It's Okay (One Blood), with its gangland overtones, proves so popular he plays it three times. Nobody made it in the rap game without giving people what they want.
· At Hammersmith Palais, London W6, on Friday December 8. Box office: 0870 444 8666.
