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The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by the ever-charismatic Conan O’Brien, was a night filled with laughter, surprises, and a dash of controversy. The former late-night talk show host and Saturday Night Live alum brought his signature wit to the stage, delivering jokes that had the audience in stitches. However, one particular joke caught the attention of both Hollywood elites and music fans alike, as O’Brien decided to weigh in on one of the most talked-about feuds in the music industry: the ongoing rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
O’Brien’s Oscars gig was nothing short of spectacular, and he wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room. Midway through the ceremony, the 61-year-old comedian took a playful jab at the infamous beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, two of the biggest names in hip-hop. Referencing their highly publicized feud, O’Brien quipped, "Well, we’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile." The line, though shocking to some, was a clear nod to Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Grammy Award-winning diss track, "Not Like Us," in which he directs a scathing lyric at Drake: "Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles." While Lamar did not utter the line during his Super Bowl halftime performance earlier this year, the crowd enthusiastically chanted the words for him, making it a defining moment of the event.
Conan O’Brien, ever the seasoned comedian, quickly followed up his joke with a humorous disclaimer: "Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up." The remark was a clever reference to Drake’s ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group, a topic Lamar himself had addressed during his Super Bowl performance. In February, Lamar performed "Not Like Us" and included a line that seemed to mock the lawsuit, singing, "I want to perform y’all’s favorite song, but you know they love to sue." O’Brien’s quick wit and ability to tie the drama into his Oscars monologue only added to the buzz of the evening.
The Oscars, traditionally a celebration of filmmakers and actors, became an unlikely platform for rap drama, and fans on social media were quick to voice their opinions. X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with reactions, ranging from praise for Conan’s bold humor to criticism for bringing the feud into such a prestigious event. One fan wrote, "Classic Conan! Always bringing the humor to the Oscars. That definitely got some laughs!" Another supporter chimed in, "not Drake catching strays at the Oscars too. Kendrick, you will always be famous!! #Oscars." Conversely, not everyone found the joke amusing. A self-proclaimed Kendrick Lamar fan commented, "Even as a Kendrick fan, that’s WILD AS HELL to say at the Oscars, fam." Others expressed their disdain for the joke, with one user stating, "Conan, not funny. Hasn’t been for a very long time." The divided reactions only highlighted the polarizing nature of the feud and Conan’s decision to address it.
The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been one of the most heated in recent music history. The two rappers have been trading diss tracks since 2024, with both artists addressing their differences in their music. Lamar’s "Not Like Us" and Drake’s subsequent responses have kept fans on the edge of their seats, as the feud continues to escalate. The fact that the Oscars, an event typically far removed from the world of hip-hop, became a platform for this drama only underscores how deeply ingrained the rivalry has become in pop culture. For some, the joke was a harmless way to acknowledge the buzzworthy feud, while others felt it was out of place at such a formal event.
In the end, Conan O’Brien’s Oscars hosting gig was a testament to his ability to navigate the complexities of modern pop culture. His willingness to tackle even the most controversial topics with humor and grace kept the audience engaged and talking long after the ceremony ended. While the joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake may have ruffled a few feathers, it also reminded us of the power of comedy to bring people together—even if that means stirring the pot a little along the way.
