Rapper The Game and Shaniece Hairston recently shared their experiences of stepping into parenthood with their son, Blaze.

In an episode of the Drop the Lo podcast, the couple opened up about the moment they discovered they were going to be parents, how they each processed the life-changing news, and the journey that has unfolded since the arrival of their first child together.

The Game confessed that while he cherishes being a father, the news of the pregnancy initially left him stunned. “When she told me, I was a bit taken aback. Honestly, I was surprised,” he remarked, noting that it had been over ten years since he last became a dad. He admitted that his initial reaction was challenging for Shaniece. “I don’t think it was the response Sha was hoping for. She ended up in tears, and it was an awkward moment for both of us,” he explained.

For Shaniece, experiencing pregnancy for the first time, the news had already settled in before she shared it with The Game. “She had some time to sit with it and process it before telling me,” he shared.

Despite the initial shock, The Game emphasized how his perspective transformed once Blaze was born. “Now that he’s here, he’s absolutely wonderful, throwing things all over the house,” he laughed. “He’s just an amazing kid.”

Despite the rocky start, Game made it clear that his feelings quickly shifted once Blaze arrived. “Obviously he’s here, and he’s beautiful, and throwing [expletive] across the house,” he joked. “He’s just a great kid.”

Game also praised Shaniece’s approach to motherhood, calling her presence a stabilizing force for their son. “For her being Blaze’s mom—like, oh my God. Like, a gift to a child, because she’s so calm. And her reserve is immaculate,” he said. “I’m just like ecstatic that you’re Blaze’s mom.”

When asked what lessons from raising his older children are showing up in how he parents Blaze, Game said the biggest difference has been physical.

“So the thing that I’ve been finding a little bit different is that I’m slower, you know? Like, I’m older,” he said. “When I had Harlem, I was 23. Justice, I was 27. Then Cali, I was 30. So I was a little bit young and faster.”

Blaze’s impact on the family was also reflected by Shaniece’s mother, Evelyn Lozada, who became emotional while speaking about her role as a grandmother.

“I’m sorry, I’m talking to my grandson, but I didn’t know what this would look like for me, you know? I really didn’t,” Lozada said. “I know I’m going to be a grandmother, but God, he has brought so much joy into my life. He’s everything to me. I love him so much.”

She went on to explain how becoming a grandmother has introduced a new layer of emotion and reflection. “I think about him. I look at his pictures, his videos. Mind you, I do that with my kids, but being in this new title, I don’t know how,” she shared.