WHO The most-buzzed-about West Coast rapper since Snoop Dogg crawled out of the pound. Signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, and affiliated with 50 Cent and G Unit, the Game has made his mark on mix tapes all year -- particularly with barbs aimed at rapper Joe Budden, on the scathing "200 Bars and Running" -- and will release his debut, N.W.A. Vol. 1, in December.

SOUND The Game began rapping only three years ago, after being on the wrong end of a drug-related shooting. While recovering, he embarked on a self-educational tour. "Biggie, Jay, Dre, Snoop: I studied all of them," he says.

DOCTOR'S ORDERS He had a high opinion of his early work until he got in the studio with Dre. "You have a better chance pleasing God being a bank robber," says the Game, describing working with Dre. "I might put all my heart into something, and he'll say, 'This shit is wack. Cut it off!' That's like your dad telling you you'll never be Barry Bonds. It sucked sometimes, but he had my best interests at heart."