Kendrick Lamar laughs as Trevor Noah brings up his “Not Like Us” Drake diss during GRAMMYs monologue [VIDEO]

A GRAMMYs moment revives the Drake rivalry and cements Kendrick’s dominance

The 2026 GRAMMYs delivered the type of unexpected cultural moment that instantly overtook the timeline when Trevor Noah turned his monologue directly toward Kendrick Lamar. With Kendrick seated in the front of the audience, Noah congratulated him on his nine nominations before pivoting into a joke referencing Kendrick’s infamous 2024 diss, “Not Like Us.” The setup landed clean, the tension rose, and then Noah fired off a punchline that immediately sent Kendrick into a wide grin. The crowd joined him, laughing as Noah pretended to protect himself from the lyrical force Kendrick once aimed at Drake.

It was the kind of moment that feels understated in the room but erupts on social media. Noah’s delivery was playful, self-aware, and timed perfectly, using his own identity as a light-skinned man from another country as the opening for the joke. Kendrick’s reaction — the smile, the lean-back laugh, the soft clap — told viewers everything they needed to know about how the moment landed with him. No defensiveness, no tension, just pure amusement at the GRAMMYs host tapping into one of the biggest rap stories of the decade.

The clip spread across platforms within minutes, amplified by viewers who caught the moment live and pushed it into conversation. The GRAMMYs are known for viral beats, but this segment cut through immediately because it merged humor, history, and hip-hop context all in one shot. Kendrick, Trevor, and a well-placed diss reference created a perfect storm of cultural commentary that rolled straight into the timeline.

How the Joke Connected Directly to Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” Moment

When Trevor Noah said he thought about roasting Kendrick “but then remembered what you can do to light-skinned men from other countries,” the punchline landed with incredible accuracy. It was a clean connection to the language and cultural commentary Kendrick deployed in “Not Like Us,” where he positioned Drake as an outsider and “colonizer” within hip-hop. That framing fueled widespread debate in 2024 and 2025, making the joke instantly recognizable to anyone who followed the feud.

Because the diss carried both comedic lines and serious critique, Noah’s callback felt familiar without being heavy-handed. He didn’t quote the track, didn’t escalate the tension, and didn’t create a moment of discomfort for either artist. Instead, he used the cultural memory of the diss as the punchline, acknowledging its impact while keeping the atmosphere light. Kendrick’s reaction validated the balance Noah struck, making the exchange feel organic rather than manufactured.

The joke also reinforced how deeply “Not Like Us” penetrated pop culture. A GRAMMY host referencing it in a room of artists and industry executives underscored how the track’s influence never faded. It remained potent enough to form the basis of a mainstream award show joke two years after its release — a testament to its staying power and to Kendrick’s imprint on the cultural landscape.

Kendrick’s Historic GRAMMY Win Elevates the Moment Even Further

The 2026 GRAMMYs weren’t just another awards night for Kendrick Lamar. Also, they represented a career milestone. His Best Rap Album win for an untitled project pushed his total GRAMMY count to 26, surpassing Jay-Z’s long-standing record and officially making Kendrick the most decorated rapper in GRAMMYs history. That victory sharpened the context around Noah’s joke: it wasn’t just a comedic callback; it was a nod to an artist hitting a new professional peak.

The timing of the monologue segment amplified the significance. Noah referenced Kendrick during a night where the rapper wasn’t just present but dominant, holding the title of most-nominated artist with nine nods. The combination of laughter and legacy created a layered moment — Kendrick was being celebrated for his influence, acknowledged for his victories, and teased about his lyrical power all at once.

Kendrick’s acceptance speech later in the show continued the theme of quiet confidence. He credited hip-hop, thanked peers like Tyler and Clipse, and affirmed that the genre would always remain grounded in culture and community. The speech, humble and purposeful, reinforced why the earlier joke hit the way it did. Kendrick didn’t need to respond directly to anything Noah said; his wins answered every question on their own.

The Clip Takes Over the Timeline Within Hours

The GRAMMYs clip, posted by @FearedBuck, racked up more than 202,000 likes, 13,000 reposts, and five million views shortly after the event. Users gravitated toward the clean delivery of Noah’s joke and Kendrick’s visible enjoyment of it. The short runtime made it easy to share, quote, and meme, sending it across the timeline in waves. Each repost added momentum, turning the monologue moment into a central point of discussion.

Its rapid spread revived memories of the original feud and reignited discussions about how the diss tracks aged over time. While the joke was playful, audiences saw it as a meaningful cultural checkpoint. The post’s engagement numbers reflected not only amusement but also a resurfacing of the old fault lines between fanbases. The moment became symbolic of how hip-hop stories never truly disappear; they evolve alongside the artists themselves.

That’s why the clip didn’t fade quickly. It functioned on multiple levels: comedy, history, competition, and recognition. It was more than a soundbite; it was a reminder of the narrative threads shaping recent hip-hop years, wrapped neatly in a joke that crossed demographic and cultural lines.

Fans React with Jokes, Praise, and Renewed Debate

As the clip spread, users reacted with their own commentary, jokes, and interpretations. Many celebrated Kendrick’s laughter as a sign of confidence, affirming that his dominance in the rivalry remained intact. Others praised Noah for delivering the joke with precision, calling him a smart host for choosing humor that played into real cultural history without creating friction in the room.

There were users who used the moment to revisit the ongoing debate over the feud’s legacy, pointing to Kendrick’s record-breaking win as a symbolic victory in the eyes of fans. Some mocked Drake’s absence from the ceremony, while others framed the joke as another cultural “L” added to the feud timeline. These reactions weren’t just idle chatter; they reflected how deeply the feud remains embedded in hip-hop discourse.

Not all responses were comedic or competitive. Some viewers focused on the respect shown in Kendrick’s acceptance speech and the sense of unity he conveyed among nominees. These posts added dimension to the conversation, reminding audiences that the rivalry exists within a broader culture of artistry, influence, and mutual acknowledgement in rap.

Why this GRAMMYs Moment Revived a Two-Year-Old Feud

One reason the moment exploded is that it reactivated the cultural memory of a feud that dominated 2024 and 2025. “Not Like Us” became one of the most deeply analyzed diss tracks of the era, with its language, implications, and cultural framing sparking months of debate. By referencing it during the GRAMMYs broadcast, Noah not only acknowledged its impact but also validated its longevity within modern hip-hop storytelling.

The revival wasn’t about reigniting tension between Kendrick and Drake, but about recognizing how the feud shaped artistic narratives during its peak. Noah’s joke worked because it pointed to a shared understanding across the entire audience — industry professionals, viewers at home, and fans on social media all knew the history behind the line. That collective awareness made the moment land with weight, humor, and resonance.

It also reminded audiences that hip-hop feuds leave long shadows. They influence award shows, interviews, fan behavior, and even the jokes hosts feel comfortable making. The GRAMMYs didn’t create the feud, but they provided a stage where its cultural ripples resurfaced naturally. Kendrick’s laughter didn’t extend the rivalry; it simply acknowledged its place in rap lore.

Conclusion

Trevor Noah’s joke about Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss didn’t just spark laughter — it sparked conversation across music culture. Delivered during Kendrick’s most decorated GRAMMYs night yet, the moment encapsulated the tension, humor, and legacy that define modern rap rivalries. Kendrick’s ease, Noah’s timing, and the crowd’s reaction formed a blend that resonated far beyond the broadcast.

The viral clip showed how deeply embedded the feud remains in the public consciousness, even two years later. It also showcased the trust and comfort Kendrick carries into spaces where his influence is undeniable. The cultural weight of the moment wasn’t in the joke alone, but in the context surrounding it: Kendrick at his peak, hip-hop at the center of the broadcast, and the audience fully attuned to every reference.

As the GRAMMYs closed the night, the laughter shared between Kendrick and Trevor symbolized both acknowledgment and evolution. The rivalry shaped the past, but the moment highlighted Kendrick’s present — a position at the top of rap’s hierarchy, celebrated by peers, audiences, and the industry all at once.

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