A GRAMMYs second revives the Drake rivalry and cements Kendrick’s dominance
The 2026 GRAMMYs delivered the kind of sudden cultural second that immediately overtook the timeline when Trevor Noah turned his monologue straight towards Kendrick Lamar. With Kendrick seated within the entrance of the viewers, Noah congratulated him on his 9 nominations earlier than pivoting right into a joke referencing Kendrick’s notorious 2024 diss, “Not Like Us.” The setup landed clear, the stress rose, after which Noah fired off a punchline that instantly despatched Kendrick into a large grin. The group joined him, laughing as Noah pretended to guard himself from the lyrical pressure Kendrick as soon as aimed toward Drake.
It was the type of second that feels understated within the room however erupts on social media. Noah’s supply was playful, self-aware, and timed completely, utilizing his personal identification as a light-skinned man from one other nation because the opening for the joke. Kendrick’s response — the smile, the lean-back snort, the smooth clap — instructed viewers the whole lot they wanted to learn about how the second landed with him. No defensiveness, no pressure, simply pure amusement on the GRAMMYs host tapping into one of many greatest rap tales of the last decade.
The clip unfold throughout platforms inside minutes, amplified by viewers who caught the second stay and pushed it into dialog. The GRAMMYs are identified for viral beats, however this section reduce by means of instantly as a result of it merged humor, historical past, and hip-hop context multi functional shot. Kendrick, Trevor, and a well-placed diss reference created an ideal storm of cultural commentary that rolled straight into the timeline.
How the Joke Linked On to Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” Second
When Trevor Noah stated he thought of roasting Kendrick “however then remembered what you are able to do to light-skinned males from different international locations,” the punchline landed with unbelievable accuracy. It was a clear connection to the language and cultural commentary Kendrick deployed in “Not Like Us,” the place he positioned Drake as an outsider and “colonizer” inside hip-hop. That framing fueled widespread debate in 2024 and 2025, making the joke immediately recognizable to anybody who adopted the feud.
As a result of the diss carried each comedic strains and critical critique, Noah’s callback felt acquainted with out being heavy-handed. He didn’t quote the observe, didn’t escalate the stress, and didn’t create a second of discomfort for both artist. As a substitute, he used the cultural reminiscence of the diss because the punchline, acknowledging its impression whereas holding the ambiance mild. Kendrick’s response validated the stability Noah struck, making the alternate really feel natural fairly than manufactured.
The joke additionally bolstered how deeply “Not Like Us” penetrated popular culture. A GRAMMY host referencing it in a room of artists and business executives underscored how the observe’s affect by no means pale. It remained potent sufficient to type the premise of a mainstream award present joke two years after its launch — a testomony to its endurance and to Kendrick’s imprint on the cultural panorama.
Kendrick’s Historic GRAMMY Win Elevates the Second Even Additional
The 2026 GRAMMYs weren’t simply one other awards evening for Kendrick Lamar. Additionally, they represented a profession milestone. His Finest Rap Album win for an untitled mission pushed his whole GRAMMY depend to 26, surpassing Jay-Z’s long-standing report and formally making Kendrick probably the most embellished rapper in GRAMMYs historical past. That victory sharpened the context round Noah’s joke: it wasn’t only a comedic callback; it was a nod to an artist hitting a brand new skilled peak.
The timing of the monologue section amplified the importance. Noah referenced Kendrick throughout an evening the place the rapper wasn’t simply current however dominant, holding the title of most-nominated artist with 9 nods. The mixture of laughter and legacy created a layered second — Kendrick was being celebrated for his affect, acknowledged for his victories, and teased about his lyrical energy abruptly.
Kendrick’s acceptance speech later within the present continued the theme of quiet confidence. He credited hip-hop, thanked friends like Tyler and Clipse, and affirmed that the style would at all times stay grounded in tradition and group. The speech, humble and purposeful, bolstered why the sooner joke hit the best way it did. Kendrick didn’t want to reply on to something Noah stated; his wins answered each query on their very own.
The Clip Takes Over the Timeline Inside Hours
The GRAMMYs clip, posted by @FearedBuck, racked up greater than 202,000 likes, 13,000 reposts, and 5 million views shortly after the occasion. Customers gravitated towards the clear supply of Noah’s joke and Kendrick’s seen enjoyment of it. The quick runtime made it straightforward to share, quote, and meme, sending it throughout the timeline in waves. Every repost added momentum, turning the monologue second right into a central level of debate.
Its speedy unfold revived recollections of the unique feud and reignited discussions about how the diss tracks aged over time. Whereas the joke was playful, audiences noticed it as a significant cultural checkpoint. The submit’s engagement numbers mirrored not solely amusement but in addition a resurfacing of the outdated fault strains between fanbases. The second turned symbolic of how hip-hop tales by no means actually disappear; they evolve alongside the artists themselves.
That’s why the clip didn’t fade shortly. It functioned on a number of ranges: comedy, historical past, competitors, and recognition. It was greater than a soundbite; it was a reminder of the narrative threads shaping current hip-hop years, wrapped neatly in a joke that crossed demographic and cultural strains.
Followers React with Jokes, Reward, and Renewed Debate
Because the clip unfold, customers reacted with their very own commentary, jokes, and interpretations. Many celebrated Kendrick’s laughter as an indication of confidence, affirming that his dominance within the rivalry remained intact. Others praised Noah for delivering the joke with precision, calling him a sensible host for selecting humor that performed into actual cultural historical past with out creating friction within the room.
There have been customers who used the second to revisit the continued debate over the feud’s legacy, pointing to Kendrick’s record-breaking win as a symbolic victory within the eyes of followers. Some mocked Drake’s absence from the ceremony, whereas others framed the joke as one other cultural “L” added to the feud timeline. These reactions weren’t simply idle chatter; they mirrored how deeply the feud stays embedded in hip-hop discourse.
Not all responses have been comedic or aggressive. Some viewers centered on the respect proven in Kendrick’s acceptance speech and the sense of unity he conveyed amongst nominees. These posts added dimension to the dialog, reminding audiences that the rivalry exists inside a broader tradition of artistry, affect, and mutual acknowledgement in rap.
Why this GRAMMYs Second Revived a Two-Yr-Outdated Feud
One motive the second exploded is that it reactivated the cultural reminiscence of a feud that dominated 2024 and 2025. “Not Like Us” turned one of the crucial deeply analyzed diss tracks of the period, with its language, implications, and cultural framing sparking months of debate. By referencing it through the GRAMMYs broadcast, Noah not solely acknowledged its impression but in addition validated its longevity inside fashionable hip-hop storytelling.
The revival wasn’t about reigniting pressure between Kendrick and Drake, however about recognizing how the feud formed inventive narratives throughout its peak. Noah’s joke labored as a result of it pointed to a shared understanding throughout your complete viewers — business professionals, viewers at dwelling, and followers on social media all knew the historical past behind the road. That collective consciousness made the second land with weight, humor, and resonance.
It additionally reminded audiences that hip-hop feuds go away lengthy shadows. They affect award exhibits, interviews, fan conduct, and even the jokes hosts really feel comfy making. The GRAMMYs didn’t create the feud, however they supplied a stage the place its cultural ripples resurfaced naturally. Kendrick’s laughter didn’t lengthen the rivalry; it merely acknowledged its place in rap lore.
Conclusion
Trevor Noah’s joke about Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss didn’t simply spark laughter — it sparked dialog throughout music tradition. Delivered throughout Kendrick’s most embellished GRAMMYs evening but, the second encapsulated the stress, humor, and legacy that outline fashionable rap rivalries. Kendrick’s ease, Noah’s timing, and the group’s response shaped a mix that resonated far past the printed.
The viral clip confirmed how deeply embedded the feud stays within the public consciousness, even two years later. It additionally showcased the belief and luxury Kendrick carries into areas the place his affect is simple. The cultural weight of the second wasn’t within the joke alone, however within the context surrounding it: Kendrick at his peak, hip-hop on the middle of the printed, and the viewers absolutely attuned to each reference.
Because the GRAMMYs closed the evening, the laughter shared between Kendrick and Trevor symbolized each acknowledgment and evolution. The rivalry formed the previous, however the second highlighted Kendrick’s current — a place on the prime of rap’s hierarchy, celebrated by friends, audiences, and the business abruptly.
