Trevor Noah references Drake feud while sparing Kendrick Lamar from Grammys roast

Trevor Noah joked that Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake made him rethink roasting the rapper at the Grammys

Trevor Noah brought one of hip-hop’s most talked-about rivalries onto the Grammy Awards stage, joking that Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake made him think twice about roasting the rapper during the 68th annual ceremony.

Lamar, who led all artists with nine nominations, was singled out early in the broadcast when Noah addressed him directly from the stage. The host said he had considered writing jokes at Lamar’s expense but ultimately decided against it, referencing the intensity and cultural impact of Lamar’s lyrical clashes over the past year. The remark drew laughter from the audience, with Lamar appearing amused by the exchange.

Kendrick Lamar laughs as Trevor Noah brings up him dissing Drake at the GRAMMYs.

“I actually thought about roasting you, and then I remembered what you can do to light-skinned men from other countries”pic.twitter.com/d6nNMlCKAY

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) February 2, 2026

Noah used the moment to reflect more broadly on how rap rivalries have evolved, suggesting that modern hip-hop beefs now carry real reputational weight. He joked that feuds no longer stop at diss tracks, but instead spiral into investigations, exposés and long-form takedowns that can permanently reshape public perception.

The comments were a clear nod to Lamar’s high-profile battle with Drake, which dominated much of the hip-hop conversation in 2025 and culminated in what many fans viewed as a decisive victory for Lamar. The rivalry even spilled into mainstream pop culture, including a pointed reference during Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance.

Despite being the subject of jokes, Lamar had the last word on Grammy night. Moments later, he took the stage to accept the award for Best Rap Album, making history by surpassing Jay-Z as the most awarded rapper in Grammy history.

In his acceptance speech, Lamar struck a reflective tone, deflecting personal praise and instead celebrating the broader hip-hop community. He emphasized the genre’s resilience and longevity, describing his fellow artists as brothers and framing the moment as a shared milestone.