Hip-hop has its ear tuned to the West Coast once again with the release of Kendrick Lamar’s debut good kid, m.A.A.d city. While he’s been championed by everyone from Drake to Lady Gaga, few know him better than Game. His fellow Compton native shared his happiness for the “Swimming Pools” rapper, who he took on tour early in his career.
“It’s really dope to see hard work pay off, somebody that I helped shape and mold,” Game told Rap-Up TV. “I remember when I told K-Dot that K-Dot just wasn’t going to work and he should just change his name to Kendrick, and he did that, and next thing you know it’s Aftermath and people are checking and bitches are like, ‘Kendrick, Kendrick.'”
He compared him to one of hip-hop’s most respected MCs. “Kendrick is like our West Coast Nas, so to speak—lyrically amazing,” he said, while warning other rappers not to mess with him. “I hope no one ever beefs or tries to attack him lyrically. You will definitely lose. His mind is crazy.”
Kendrick reminds him of someone else from Compton. “His career is real reminiscent of my early start, minus the bandana. Kendrick is neutral in this. That’s our West Coast Nas and everyone should support that.”
The two, who previously collaborated on “The City” off The R.E.D. Album, have recorded a new song for Game’s album Jesus Piece, due December 11.