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Just over a year removed from hip hop’s latest cultural zeitgeist known as the “Pop Out”, the critically acclaimed concert still manages to stir up talking points within the community. For one Cali native, it’s an opportunity to offer a more direct explanation for why he wasn’t present for the summit of West Coast elites.
While The Game had previously brushed off speculation without much detail, the Compton rapper recently addressed his absence from Kendrick’s Los Angeles show during an appearance on the Back On Figg podcast. His latest comments mark a shift from earlier narratives floated by both fans and close affiliates.
“I sat it out on purpose,” The Game said, pushing back against the assumption that he wasn’t invited. According to him, the decision was rooted less in music and more in street dynamics. “It’s too much gang politics with me when I come somewhere. It was n—s at the ‘Pop Out’ that I don’t f—k with. So why go to the ‘Pop Out,’ bring homies, [and] get into a confrontation when the n—a is having a great moment?”
Co-host T-Rell challenged that reasoning, pointing to the concert’s broader message of unity across Los Angeles factions. But Game stood firm, explaining that his presence alone can escalate situations—something he said he wasn’t willing to risk during a night meant to spotlight Kendrick.
“All it take is one n—a to get out of pocket,” he said. “And that’s what comes with me… I ain’t gon’ let nothing happen to me. If something happens to me, whoever did it is getting smoked.”
The renewed comments have sparked debate online, with some fans viewing them as a backtrack from earlier statements, while others see them as a rare moment of candor from a veteran rapper whose legacy is deeply tied to Los Angeles politics.
What remains consistent, however, is Game’s stance on Kendrick himself. By his account, there’s no issue with K.Dot, no resentment toward the Pop Out, and no obligation to publicly clarify his movements—especially as Kendrick’s long-running rivalry with Drake continues to dominate the wider rap conversation.
For now, The Game says he made the call he felt was best.
