Rapper’s daughter faces criticism for ‘grown-up’ look, while fans praise rapper for moving away from ‘weird’ photos

West Coast rapper The Game is understood for wearing his heart on his sleeve, especially on the subject of his children. That sentiment was on full display again as he celebrated his daughter California Dream Taylor’s 14th birthday with an emotional post on social media.

The rapper, who has often faced criticism for his public displays of affection towards his daughter, shared two photos — one old and one modern — together with a touching caption that quickly went viral.

“14 years… 14 years and on her 14th birthday he found out that was DEFINITELY a hissssssssss lol… I usually write these long heartfelt messages on your birthday so today we continue that tradition,” The Game wrote, starting a tribute that highlighted his deep love for his daughter in his signature.

“California, my beautiful baby… my only daughter… my heart, my soul, my life, my twin… I am absolutely in awe of the beautiful young woman you have become,” the “One Blood” artist continued. “You are smart, sophisticated, independent, and while I truly love how you have grown… I miss when you needed me for the little things… ‘Daddy, I can’t reach this… can you do this for me’… and ‘Daddy, can you pick me up and fly me like an airplane again?’”

While this post was meant to be a tribute to her daughter’s development, it also highlighted how she has modified through the years.

“Little you,” he wrote, posting a photograph of her when she was little, before comparing the kid he once knew to the young woman she’s becoming. “Big you… is here doing her BIG thing. You here, popping out, popping out,” he added, before joking: “You’re so ‘HUMBLE’.”

The Shade Room quickly picked up on the theme, re-publishing considered one of the photos and sparked a wave of comments from fans who were shocked by how mature and “adult” Cali looks.

“She’s only 14?” one commenter asked, while one other added: “The girl looks like a 22-year-old woman at 14, while I looked like a 9-year-old at 14.”

Another fan expressed disbelief, writing: “Brother’s daughter looks 30.”

The debate over California’s appearance didn’t end there. Some fans noted how quickly celebrity kids matured in comparison with their peers, while others criticized the trend of young teens wearing heavy makeup and dressing older than their age.

“No, she’s not letting her young teenage daughters put on all that makeup and dress inappropriately for a young teenager,” one commenter argued. Another said, “Little girls don’t look like little girls anymore. It’s awful here.”

Not everyone agreed with the criticism.

One fan defended The Game, stating, “You’re just saying that because a man said it, she literally looks 25.”

The post also sparked discussion about The Game’s previous photos of his daughter, with many praising him for not sharing photos that could possibly be considered “inappropriate” or “weird.”

Someone said, “At least this photo is more appropriate than the other photos they’ve taken of their daughter and father.”

Despite his controversial status within the hip-hop industry and ongoing legal battles — including a $7 million civil judgment for sexual assault stemming from his 2015 VH1 reality show “She’s Got Game” — many fans have praised him for being a faithful parent.

“One thing about The Game is that he is a great father to all of his children,” one fan noted.

The Game shares California and his brother King Justice Taylor, 17, with ex-girlfriend Tiffney Cambridge and has one other son, Harlem Taylor, 11, with ex-girlfriend Aleska Jordan. He can also be reportedly expecting a brand new baby with Shaniece Hairston, the daughter of “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada.

Some fans expressed surprise as to why The Game’s post was met with such a negative response.

“What am I not understanding?? What is wrong with what he said to his daughter… I don’t understand… someone help me understand,” one person wrote. Another added, “I can’t hate someone who shows love to their child. I could never hate that.”

Another added: “I really don’t think it’s weird how he expresses his love for his daughter, I think it’s because he barely talks about his son. Why not care about them all equally.”

For many, the tribute to the sport was a touching example of the bond between father and daughter.

But the post also highlighted deep discrepancies in how people perceive public displays of affection between fathers and daughters, particularly on the subject of celebrities.

“I really want to know why this man gets so much hate for the way he expresses his love for his daughter. It’s not creepy at all. Passing off your daddy issues on someone else won’t make them go away,” one person wrote.

Another suggested the negativity may stem from deeper societal issues, saying: “Some people have never had a loving family and it shows every time this man comes up.”