Tina Fey Jokes About the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Feud at the Emmys
Tina Fey brought a dose of hip-hop heat to the 2025 Emmy Awards, and the audience loved every second of it.
While presenting the award for Outstanding Live Variety Special on Sunday night, the legendary comedian couldn’t resist referencing the ongoing rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
The two rap giants have dominated headlines all year with their lyrical warfare, and Fey found a clever way to sneak the beef into her monologue. Delivering the line with her signature dry humor, Fey quipped:
“If Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime special wins, I’m really going to hear it from Drake. And Drake and I are supposed to play pickleball tomorrow. So … anyway.”
The Emmy audience erupted in laughter, with the joke landing as one of the night’s most unexpected and talked-about moments.
Drake-Kendrick Feud Becomes Emmy Punchline in Tina Fey’s Monologue:
Tina Fey drops a Drake and Kendrick Lamar joke during the Emmys.
“If Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl Halftime special wins… I’m really gonna hear it from Drake… and Drake and I are supposed to play pickleball tomorrow…”
— WhatsOnRap (@WhatsOnRap__) September 15, 2025
The jab came right before the winner was announced, and no, it wasn’t Kendrick.
The award ultimately went to Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special, beating out several high-profile nominees, including Kendrick’s Super Bowl Halftime Show and Beyoncé’s widely praised “Beyoncé Bowl.”
Despite the loss, Kendrick’s halftime performance had already cemented its place as a cultural milestone, showcasing his elite artistry and legacy within hip-hop.
Meanwhile, Drake, who didn’t attend the show, has yet to respond to Fey’s comment, and neither has Kendrick.
With tension still thick in the rap game, Tina Fey’s crack served as a moment of levity that also underscored just how mainstream the Drake vs. Kendrick battle has become.
What started as lyrical shots has now crossed over into late-night television, social media memes, and even major award shows. For hip-hop fans watching the Emmys, the reference felt like a nod to how dominant rap culture is in 2025.
Even at a night celebrating television, the echoes of one of the most iconic rap feuds in recent memory were too big to ignore.
Whether you’re Team Kendrick or Team Drake, one thing’s for sure, Tina Fey just proved she’s keeping score.
