Trevor Noah Roasts Kendrick Lamar With ‘Light-Skin Dudes From Other Countries’ Joke
Trevor Noah brought humor and caution to the 2026 Grammy Awards when he shared a light moment with Kendrick Lamar on stage. Lamar walked into the night as the top nominee with nine nominations, and Noah made it clear he was not about to push his luck with jokes aimed at the rapper.
While addressing the crowd during the live Grammy broadcast, Noah congratulated Lamar and stopped there. That’s right, nine nominations this year. Congratulations. And that is all I’m gonna say—congratulations, he said, getting laughs from the audience. He then admitted he briefly thought about poking fun at Lamar but changed his mind.
I actually thought about writing a few jokes, roasting you, but then I remembered what you can do to light-skinned dudes from other countries, Noah joked, adding that his group was still recovering from the pain.
lol at Trevor Noah's joke about Kendrick Lamar at the Grammys
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) February 2, 2026
"I actually thought about writing a few jokes roasting you, but then I remembered what you can do to light-skinned dudes from other countries. Me and my delegation are still recovering from the pain." pic.twitter.com/OpAsRIB5PR
The comment was widely seen as a nod to Lamar’s very public lyrical battle with Drake back in 2024. That feud produced major songs that dominated charts and conversations, and it clearly left a lasting mark in pop culture. Lamar took the joke in stride and smiled as the moment passed.
The night ended as a historic one for Kendrick Lamar. He became the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with 27 total wins, beating the long-held record by Jay-Z. His awards this year included Best Rap Album for GNX and Record of the Year for “Luther,” his collaboration with SZA. While he did not take home Album of the Year or Song of the Year, his presence in the rap categories was unmatched.
The ceremony was also important for Trevor Noah. This marked his final time hosting the Grammys after six years in the role.
According to information shared during the broadcast and recent media reports, Noah has stayed busy since leaving The Daily Show. He released a bestselling illustrated book, dropped a comedy special on YouTube, and continues to tour globally. He is also working on film and TV projects through his production company, including an adaptation of his memoir Born a Crime.
With the Grammys set to move to Disney platforms in 2027, Noah’s exit feels like a clear turning point for the show. His calm hosting style and sharp humor helped define the event for several years.
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