Exclusive – Even as The Game’s Hit-Boy-helmed, Nas-inspired Drillmatic album is on the way, the Los Angeles-bred rapper is more than willing to give his heavily-weighted co-sign to a fellow South Central MC.

During a recent interview with HipHopDX, the “Eazy” rapper revealed his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers album while remarking on the iconic moment he and other West Coast veterans such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre figuratively passed the torch to K. Dot at one of his early concerts in L.A.

“I always knew Kendrick could be Kendrick,” Game said in part. “And Kendrick knew Kendrick could be Kendrick, so that’s pretty much why he is who he is, and why he’s done everything he’s been able to accomplish. Now, which would be considered the prime of his career, the ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ album is incredible to me. As is all his projects — love how artistic his mind is when it comes to putting out these projects. I love that he never strays from where his heart is at the time and moment when he creates his projects.”

The Game went on to describe his experience being a part of Kendrick Lamar’s rise to the pinnacle of Hip Hop, ultimately describing their relationship as that of siblings and praising his ability to craft powerful full-length projects.

“And so, I’m always going to give him the love he deserves because I watched it first hand,”he continued. “I was there, early Kendrick, I was there in Top Dawg’s Crib, in the studio in the basement. Watching him, watching this flower grow. So Kendrick is always going to be one of my favorites. Again, one of those big brother, little brother relationships. ”

The Game and Kendrick Lamar’s relationship can be traced back to as early as the year 2012 when K. Dot appeared on The R.E.D. Album track “The City.”

While it’s clearly all love between the pair of Compton natives, there also appears to be some form of sibling rivalry going on as well. Last February, Game actually claimed he’s the rightful holder of the city’s crown for the best rapper alive, laying Kendrick Lamar to rest in the process.

“Can’t nobody in Compton outrap Game,” he said. “Can’t nobody in Compton out-rap me. Kendrick my n-gga. Kendrick doing his shit. I love that n-gga to death. I flew past Kendrick when that n-gga was on foot in a Range Rover and showed him how to do this shit. Don’t play. Don’t play with Game name. Compton, n-gga. Hardest n-gga in Compton, rapping, lyricist, me. Any n-gga that say any different, I’ll body him and any n-gga he fuck with.”

Watch the full interview below.