Tina Fey Worries She’s “Going to Hear It From Drake” After Kendrick Lamar Joke at the 2025 Emmys

The 77th Annual Emmy Awards delivered not only historic wins and glamorous red-carpet fashion but also plenty of humor thanks to comedian and writer Tina Fey. The former Saturday Night Live star took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Live Variety Special and cracked a joke that instantly lit up the room. While her punchline was classic Fey wit, it also highlighted the intersection of music, television, and pop culture, pulling both Kendrick Lamar and Drake into the spotlight once again.

What began as a lighthearted gag quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony, with Fey admitting she was worried her joke might come back to haunt her — particularly during her next pickleball match with Drake.

Tina Fey’s Emmy Joke Lands With a Pop Culture Twist

While introducing the nominees for Best Live Variety Special, Tina Fey explained that she was in a “complicated position” because of her connections to the shows on the list. Fey, who spent nearly a decade writing and performing on Saturday Night Live, acknowledged that two of the nominees were tied to her alma mater.

Then came the line that drew laughter and plenty of raised eyebrows. Fey said:

“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.”

The joke blended Hollywood humor with real-world pop culture, referencing the highly publicized feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake that reached its peak in 2024. The audience erupted in laughter, fully aware of the tension between the two hip-hop icons.

The Kendrick Lamar and Drake Rivalry Still Echoes

Tina Fey’s comment struck a chord because the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud was one of the most high-profile music rivalries of the past decade. In 2024, both rappers unleashed a series of diss tracks aimed at each other, captivating fans and dominating headlines.

The feud reached its defining moment during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. In front of over 133 million viewers — the most-watched halftime performance in NFL history — Lamar looked directly into the camera and delivered his scathing line while performing his chart-topping hit “Not Like Us.” The line, interpreted as a jab at Drake, went viral immediately and became a defining pop culture moment.

Given this history, Fey’s joke about hearing it from Drake if Lamar won the Emmy landed perfectly with the audience, who understood the cultural subtext.

Beyoncé, SNL, and the “Safe” Outcome

To soften the punchline, Tina Fey jokingly added that her safest bet would be a win for Beyoncé’s live special, which was also nominated in the category. She quipped:

“Really, the only safe outcome for me would be the Beyoncé Bowl — so, as always, thank you, Beyoncé!”

In the end, neither Kendrick Lamar nor Beyoncé took home the trophy. The award went to SNL50: The Anniversary Special, allowing Fey to breathe a sigh of relief onstage.

SNL’s Big Emmy Win

When the envelope was opened, it was Saturday Night Live that walked away victorious, celebrating half a century on the air. Legendary creator Lorne Michaels accepted the Emmy, reminding the crowd of the show’s incredible longevity.

“I won this award for the first time 50 years ago, in 1975,” Michaels said. “I was younger and I had a lot of dreams — and not one of those dreams was that I’d still be doing the same show for the next 50 years. However, here we are.”

The speech underscored the historic achievement of SNL while giving Tina Fey the “safe outcome” she had been hoping for.

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Legacy

Though Lamar didn’t take home an Emmy, his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show remains one of the most important moments in his career. The rapper delivered a high-energy medley that included hits like “HUMBLE.” and “DNA”, along with multiple tracks from his GNX album.

Beyond its viral moments, the halftime show made history by drawing 133.5 million viewers, surpassing even the game itself. That performance earned Lamar another Emmy earlier in the year for Outstanding Music Direction, further cementing his status as one of the greatest performers of his generation.

Tina Fey’s Unique Role at the 2025 Emmys

The 2025 Emmy Awards were packed with memorable speeches, historic wins, and heartfelt moments, but Fey’s joke showcased the ability of comedy to connect seemingly unrelated threads. By tying together SNL, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, Fey reflected the way television, sports, and music often collide in today’s cultural landscape.

It also reminded audiences of Fey’s sharp comedic instincts. Even years after leaving Saturday Night Live, she remains one of Hollywood’s most reliable voices for humor, weaving personal anecdotes and pop culture references with ease.

Why Fey Worried About Drake

The second half of Fey’s joke — about her upcoming pickleball date with Drake — added another layer of humor and relatability. It made the rap feud feel almost domestic, as though the tension might spill over onto the court.

While the idea of Fey and Drake playing pickleball might sound unusual, it highlights how celebrities often form friendships across entertainment industries. By blending her real-life connections with her onstage duties, Fey brought authenticity to her humor, making the crowd feel like insiders to a private joke.

The Bigger Picture: Emmys 2025 and Cultural Crossovers

The 2025 Emmy Awards didn’t just celebrate television; they highlighted the growing influence of music and live performances on the entertainment industry. With nominations including Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show and Beyoncé’s concert special, the Emmys acknowledged that music-driven events can be just as impactful as scripted television.

Meanwhile, SNL’s victory underscored the enduring power of sketch comedy, a genre that continues to influence pop culture after half a century.

A Night of Humor, History, and High Stakes

Tina Fey’s moment at the Emmys may have been brief, but it captured everything the ceremony represents: entertainment, cultural resonance, and unexpected connections. By joking about Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Fey tapped into one of the defining music stories of the past year, while also tying it back to her own comedic roots.

For Kendrick Lamar, the night may not have ended with an Emmy win, but his record-breaking halftime performance continues to echo throughout the entertainment world. For Fey, it was another reminder of her ability to turn any situation into a laugh. And for audiences, it was proof that the Emmys remain a place where television and pop culture collide in unforgettable ways.

Conclusion

The 2025 Emmy Awards had plenty of winners, but one of the biggest takeaways was Tina Fey’s playful concern about Drake’s reaction to her joke about Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show. Her humor, rooted in both personal connection and pop culture awareness, gave audiences a moment to laugh while also recalling one of the most intense music rivalries in recent years.

In the end, Fey got the “safe outcome” she had hoped for with SNL50’s victory, but her witty remarks ensured her moment onstage became one of the highlights of the ceremony. It was yet another example of how comedy, music, and television weave together to create the shared cultural moments that define an era.