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The Game's new album Doctor's Advocate drops on November 14

Jimmy 'Henchmen' Rosemond, the Haitian-born manager for multi-platinum selling rapper The Game

Kevin Jackson, Observer writer

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Jimmy 'Henchmen' Rosemond, the Haitian-born manager for multi-platinum selling rapper The Game, is expecting big things when the Game's sophomore album Doctor's Advocate (Geffen Records) is released on November 14.

"We are looking to sell at least a million copies in the first week. The last time we did over 600,000 just on the controversy that was brewing between him and 50 Cent.

Now that The Game has established himself as a bonafide star and the anticipation that has been built up over the past year, we are looking forward to big things from this album," Rosemond said in a recent interview while on a one week vacation at the Round Hill hotel.

Rosemond, who got his start in the music business in the 1990's where he promoted parties as well as industry related events including the popular How Can I Be Down hip hop/R&B summit, has managed a list of top acts over the years.

Among his credentials are the R&B duo Groove Theory, Salt N Pepa, Mario Winans, Sharissa, and R&B singer Tank.

The Game's 2005 debut album The Documentary which spewed the hit singles Hate It or Love It, This Is How We Do, Dreams and Put You on the Game, sold over five million copies worldwide.

The street single for Doctor's Advocate, It's Okay (One Blood) featuring veteran Jamaican reggae singer Junior Reid, exploded at US radio stations in August and quickly generated a firestorm of interest. The song cracked Billboard's Hot 100 chart, as well as its Rap, Hip-Hop and R&B Singles charts, The video for It's Okay (One Blood), which follows The Game on a stroll through the grittier streets of Los Angeles, is receiving heavy airplay on MTV and BET.

The first official single for Doctor's Advocate is Let's Ride (Strip Club). The song debuted last week on Billboard's R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart. It was produced by hit-making producer Scott Storch. Henchmen explained how Junior Reid got involved with the Its Okay (One Blood) single.

"At first we used a sample from One Blood with Junior's voice. But later on we decided to bring him into the recording studio to voice the song all over and that's how it happened. He calls me every day to say how thankful he is much the song has been re-opening doors for him even with show promoters".

Doctor's Advocate will feature collaborations with Kanye West and Mary J Blige among others. "The last time around I had to shock 'em. I had to let everyone know that I was the new force bringing back the West Coast, and that no one could ignore me. This time I had one thing in mind which is greatness. I think the world will feel my hunger," The Game commented.

Since the release of his debut album Documentary, The Game has been busy with several projects. He has released various mix tapes, worked alongside Lorenz Tate, Meagan Goode and Tyrese Gibson in the Rogue Pictures film, Waist Deep; and released his Hurricane sneaker line, made by 310 Motoring.

He began rapping in 2001 and has never looked back. His barbed and bold freestyles caught the ear of top-notch hip-hop producer Dr Dre, who signed him to the Aftermath label in 2003 and assumed the executive producer chair for his debut. Born Jayceon Taylor, The Game hails from the infamous Compton in California.

"My son Harlem is the inspiration for everything I do", said The Game. "He was born at a time when things were hard for me. I came into this rap game to secure my family's future financially. Making music was second."

He said he got his moniker from his grandmother. "I was a real active kid and I was smart and played a lot of sports. My grandmother said I should be game for anything, so that's where the name came from," the rapper explained.

With his much publicised falling out with one time G-Unit member 50 Cent still fresh, The Game offered no comment about the situation. Asked if there was anything that he would change about his career and his life, he said, "I don't have regrets. I don't live with regrets," he said, adding that he wouldn't change a thing