Are Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé running against each other for Emmy? 2025 nominations explored

Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar have both received multiple nominations for their groundbreaking live performances, putting them against each other for the Emmys this year. The two music giants will compete in several categories at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards, including the prestigious Outstanding Variety Special (Live), for their iconic halftime performances.

The face-off between Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar

The first of its kind, the Christmas Day NFL halftime performance, which was called the Beyoncé Bowl, was streamed on Netflix. Beyoncé's Beyoncé Bowl is going head-to-head with Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show, which was streamed on Apple Music.

Both the NFL halftime shows are nominated for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), where Lamar is nominated with executive producers like Jay-Z and Dave Free. Putting the husband and wife in direct Emmy contention, a unique and high-stakes situation in awards history.

The two music giants will also vie for the Outstanding Choreography for a Variety Special, other than the Outstanding Variety Special (Live). Choreographer Charm La'Donna was nominated for this award, where she played an important role in both shows. Parris Goebel, Christopher Grant, and Tyrik Patterson from Beyoncé's team were also recognized for their roles in her show.

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance broke viewing records, as it had 133.5 million people viewing it. It was the most-watched halftime show ever. During the show's special performance, SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams also made an appearance.

K-Dot's diss track "Not Like Us," which is directed at Drake, was also performed; the diss track's performance was headline-grabbing.

Beyoncé's Beyoncé Bowl was the first-ever NFL halftime show on Christmas Day. Her live performance was received very well, and it was praised for its creative vision and beauty. For Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, she shares the nomination with co-director Alex Rudzinski.

This could be her real shot at winning the coveted Emmy award for the first time.

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All-star nominees and industry

Along with Lamar and Queen Bey, the following shows are included in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category :

• SNL50: The Special for the Anniversary
• SNL50: The Concert for the Homecoming
• The 2025 Oscars tribute to Quincy Jones

This year's nomination really shows the crossover between music and television with the likes of Jay-Z, Mark Ronson, Kamasi Washington, Hans Zimmer, and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.

Additionally, Lamar is a nominee for:

• Outstanding Music Direction (with Tony Russell).
• Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special (credited to Hamish Hamilton as he was the director)

Beyoncé’s Beyoncé Bowl racks up nominations for:

• Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
• Outstanding Choreography
• Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special

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A history of Emmy Gold

Having won an Emmy in 2022 for his performance in Super Bowl LVI alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to the award. He plans to win more this year, adding to his already impressive resume of Grammy and Pulitzer Prize awards.

The stakes for Queen Bey are just as great. Though she was nominated for her past works like Lemonade (2016) and Homecoming (2019), she has yet to win it. Her winning the coveted award will cement her legacy. The Emmy has been one of the awards that has been long overdue to be won by Queen Bey.

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Technical category winners will be revealed during the Creative Arts Emmys on September 6 and 7, while the Primetime Emmy Awards, the main event, will be broadcast on September 14, 2025. It will be aired on CBS.

Let's see who takes the Emmy home this year. Is it Queen Bey or K-Dot?

Regardless of who takes it, 2025 has been a major event in the history of music, television, and culture.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.