The Game Responds to Kendrick Lamar Diss Speculation Surrounding The Documentary 3
The Game has responded to growing speculation that he took shots at Kendrick Lamar on his new album The Documentary 3, attempting to clear up rumors surrounding several lyrics that have sent hip-hop fans into debate.
The controversy emerged after The Documentary 3 was released Friday, August 21. Several songs immediately attracted attention because of references to Kendrick, Drake and the complicated history of West Coast rap.
One of the biggest points of discussion has been “No Brakes,” a collaboration featuring Drake. On the track, The Game references the relationship between himself, Drake and Kendrick, leading some listeners to interpret the lyrics as a sign that the Compton rapper had chosen Drake’s side in the long-running Drake-Kendrick conflict.
The speculation intensified because The Game has had complicated relationships with both artists over the years. His previous collaborations with Drake and his history with Kendrick have made any mention of the two rappers particularly likely to attract attention.
However, The Game has pushed back against the idea that the lyrics should automatically be interpreted as a Kendrick diss. Reporting surrounding the controversy indicates that the rapper has attempted to clarify the situation rather than confirm that he was targeting his fellow Compton artist.
The discussion largely centers on several lines from The Documentary 3. On “No Brakes,” The Game raps about himself and Drake while making a reference to choosing “homicide” if forced to pick a side. Because of Drake’s highly publicized feud with Kendrick, fans quickly interpreted the line as potentially being directed at Lamar.
Another track, “LA Monster,” contains references that listeners have connected to Kendrick’s reputation and his 2024 album GNX. Those references have added fuel to theories that The Game was deliberately addressing Kendrick through multiple songs.
Yet Kendrick’s associates have publicly pushed back against the idea that the album represents a new feud between the two Los Angeles rappers.
Hitta J3, an associate within Kendrick’s circle, questioned the assumption that The Game was automatically dissing Kendrick simply because Drake appeared on one of the songs. He also indicated that an upcoming collaboration with The Game could help “clear up” what he described as speculation surrounding the situation.
That response is significant because it suggests people close to Kendrick do not currently view the album as evidence of a new Kendrick-versus-Game battle.
The Game and Kendrick have a long history in West Coast hip-hop. Earlier in Kendrick’s career, The Game was among the established Los Angeles rappers who publicly supported the younger artist. The Game defended Kendrick when Shyne criticized good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012, even releasing a freestyle aimed at Shyne after the criticism.
Their relationship later became more complicated, with reports and interviews suggesting that communication between the two artists eventually broke down. The Game has discussed Kendrick and his place in Compton’s rap hierarchy several times, sometimes praising him while also expressing frustration about their relationship.
That history makes the current speculation particularly sensitive. Kendrick is one of the most influential rappers to emerge from Compton, while The Game has spent decades establishing himself as one of the city’s most prominent hip-hop figures.
The situation is also connected to the broader aftermath of Kendrick’s battle with Drake. Their rivalry became one of the defining hip-hop stories of 2024, producing several high-profile diss tracks, including Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” and Drake’s responses. The feud has continued to influence how fans interpret references involving either artist.
The Game’s decision to feature Drake on The Documentary 3 therefore created an immediate opportunity for speculation. But appearing alongside Drake does not necessarily mean The Game has declared himself an opponent of Kendrick.
The current evidence points more toward ambiguity than an outright declaration of war. The lyrics have certainly given fans material to debate, but Kendrick’s affiliates have denied that the album represents a direct diss.
For now, there is no confirmed new diss battle between The Game and Kendrick Lamar. Instead, the controversy illustrates how closely fans analyze every lyric when major figures from Los Angeles hip-hop reference one another.
As The Documentary 3 continues to circulate, listeners will likely keep examining its lyrics for additional clues about The Game’s relationships with Kendrick and Drake. Unless either rapper directly confirms a new conflict, however, the The Game Kendrick Lamar diss speculation remains just that: speculation.
The immediate message from those close to Kendrick is clear—the presence of Drake and references to Kendrick on the album should not automatically be interpreted as the beginning of another major West Coast rap feud.
About the Author
