Tina Fey Brings Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake Rivalry To The Emmy Stage With Pickleball Joke

September 14, 2025 — Tina Fey stole the spotlight at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards with a quick-witted joke that blended Hollywood glitz with hip-hop’s biggest rivalry.

While presenting the Variety Special (Live) category at the Peacock Theater, Fey lightened the tense moment as Kendrick Lamar’s highly praised Super Bowl Halftime Show went head-to-head with Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special.

Before announcing the winner, Fey quipped:

“If Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime special wins, woooo, I’m really gonna hear it from Drake… and Drake and I are supposed to play pickleball tomorrow.”

The audience erupted in laughter, but the reference resonated deeper. Lamar and Drake’s feud, which has dominated rap headlines with diss tracks, cryptic posts, and fan speculation, has become shorthand for hip-hop competitiveness and cultural dominance. By invoking it on Emmy night, Fey turned a high-stakes category into a pop culture moment.

Lamar’s halftime show, hailed for its political messaging and striking visuals, ultimately lost to NBC’s anniversary tribute. But Fey’s humor softened the blow, reminding viewers that Lamar’s cultural influence remains undeniable—even when the award slips away.

Her mention of pickleball added another layer of satire. Once a casual pastime, the sport has become a full-fledged celebrity craze. Imagining Fey and Drake dueling on the court highlighted her knack for blending entertainment, music, and everyday pop culture into one sharp punchline.

For Fey, it was another showcase of her ability to command a room with humor. For Lamar and Drake, it was further proof that their rivalry now transcends hip-hop, finding its way into jokes on one of television’s biggest stages.