The impact The Game had on Kendrick Lamar’s career: “That’s a good dude”
Often, when talking about those who have elevated the career of Kendrick Lamar, Top Dawg and Dr Dre are mentioned. Top Dawg is the one who signed him to Top Dawg Entertainment and gave him his initial platform, while Dre gave him his first shot on a major label by signing him to Aftermath Entertainment. However, there are plenty of other figures along the way who have made a crucial impact, including The Game.
K. Dot was just finding his footing in the music industry in 2009. Shortly after the release of his C4 mixtape, the Compton rapper scored the opportunity of a lifetime: supporting The Game on tour. At the time, Game had just released his third album, LAX, which reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart with features from DMX, Ice Cube, Common, Nas, Raekwon, and other hip-hop legends.
While it was Top Dawg (also known as Dude Dawg) who initially made the connection, The Game made it all possible by welcoming him on the road. It came about due to them all coming from the same area of Los Angeles. “That’s through Dude Dawg,” Kendrick told XXL in 2010. “Street ties. This city is small. Compton, Watts, Dude Dawg, he from Watts, Game from Compton, they was affiliated from the streets. I’m from Compton as well. It’s only right around the corner we meet.”
Kendrick credits Game for allowing him to go on tour for the first time, giving him a head start when it comes to building his stage presence. “Game’s cool. I ain’t talk to him in a while, but that’s a good dude,” he said. “I appreciate him giving me the opportunity to get on a mixtape, I’ll never forget that. I was on his LAX tour, when he had it. That was my first experience on tour. Just getting a taste of what’s to come.”
The two rappers have collaborated numerous times over the years on songs like ‘The City’ from 2011’s The R.E.D. Album, ‘See No Evil’ from 2012’s Jesus Piece, and ‘On Me’ from 2015’s The Documentary 2. Prior to his albums, Game also gave him the chance to collaborate on his mixtapes. Kendrick appeared on ‘The Cypha’ from 2006’s The Black Wall Street Journal Vol. 1 and ‘Cali N*ggaz’ from 2007’s You Know What It Is Vol. 4: Murda Game Chronicles.
Through Top Dawg and labelmate Jay Rock’s success prior to Kendrick blowing up, they made it happen. “The makings of that was Jay Rock had put out one of his singles,” Kenny said. “Jay Rock was on the bubble, and we just reached out to Game, Jay Rock put out the single, we’d be much appreciated if we can hop on the tour, get this exposure. He was with it. I tagged along, I performed a few joints. It was just crazy to see the reaction, so it was all love.”
Game once described Kendrick as his “little homie” and stated that he would go out of his way to help him if he ever needed anything. The pair used their Compton connection for the greater good and helped form a key partnership during the early days of K. Dot’s career.