The Game’s new Drake collaboration sparked fresh West Coast beef theories, but Kendrick Lamar’s inner circle says fans may be reading too much into the lyrics.
Kendrick Lamar’s inner circle is pushing back on speculation that The Game’s new Drake collaboration signals another brewing conflict between the Compton rappers.
The controversy began after The Game released The Documentary 3 on Friday, Aug. 21. Several lyrics across the album immediately caught fans’ attention because of references to Kendrick, Drake and the complicated history surrounding West Coast rap.
On “LA Monster,” The Game references the “boogeyman,” a description many listeners interpreted as a nod to Kendrick’s reputation as one of rap’s most intimidating lyricists. He also references a GNX, seemingly connecting the bar to Kendrick’s 2024 album GNX and its strong West Coast identity.
The Game gets even more direct on “Geezus,” where he calls Drake “the homie” while pushing back against the idea that West Coast artists have to choose sides in the Drake-Kendrick feud.
Then came “No Brakes,” featuring Drake.
The Game raps about himself and Drake as “the three amigos” before delivering another line that immediately sent social media into overdrive. Given the history between Drake and Kendrick, fans quickly began debating whether The Game was effectively choosing Drake over his fellow Compton rapper.
Kendrick Lamar’s Friends Say It’s Not a Diss
Kendrick’s longtime associates, however, appear to be dismissing the idea that the collaboration represents a new attack on Kendrick.
Top Dawg Entertainment executive Punch reacted to the song’s release by writing, “The World’s really Gone Crazy,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
Hitta J3, a longtime friend of Kendrick, was more explicit in addressing the speculation.
He argued that the Game-Drake song “is not new” and said it was “not no diss to Dot.” Hitta also insisted that The Game remains cool with Kendrick regardless of what listeners might hear in the lyrics.
His comments directly challenged the online theory that The Game’s decision to work with Drake automatically means he has turned against Kendrick.
Hitta later questioned the assumption that every Drake collaboration involving a West Coast rapper should be interpreted as a diss, while also teasing an upcoming collaboration with The Game that he suggested could clear up some of the speculation.
Yall Want The Homie To Make Another Example Out A Nigga Bad!!!
— MackWop (@MackWop) August 21, 2026
Lmaooo Ion Know Who More Desperate The Internet Dweebs Or These Rappers
The Game’s Manager Adds Fuel to the Situation
Wack 100, The Game’s manager, also appeared to push back against the idea of an actual Kendrick-The Game feud.
During a Thursday livestream with DJ Akademiks, Wack reportedly claimed that Kendrick is expected to be in the studio with The Game within days.
If that happens, it would further undermine the idea that The Game’s Drake collaboration represents a serious new conflict with Kendrick.
For now, the reaction appears to be more about the history surrounding all three rappers than any confirmed beef.
The Game and Kendrick have a complicated history as two of the most prominent names to emerge from Compton. Drake and Kendrick, meanwhile, turned their long-running competitive tension into one of hip-hop’s biggest rivalries, culminating in their explosive 2024 feud.
That history means even a single bar can trigger intense speculation.
No Response From Kendrick or PG Lang
Neither Kendrick Lamar nor his company, PG Lang, has publicly responded to The Documentary 3 or “No Brakes” at this time.
Based on comments from Kendrick’s associates, however, his camp appears to view the situation as fans potentially overanalyzing The Game’s provocative West Coast rap rather than evidence of a new war.
For now, The Game is working with Drake, Kendrick’s camp says it is not a diss, and Wack 100 is suggesting Kendrick and The Game could soon be back in the studio together.
The speculation, however, is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
