The 97th Academy Awards have been filled with surprises, however none extra buzzworthy than Conan O’Brien’s joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake. On Sunday night time, the legendary discuss present host introduced the home down with a witty comment that had social media buzzing. “Properly, we’re midway by way of the present, which suggests it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to return out and name Drake a pedophile,” O’Brien joked. O’Brien added that he’d be “lawyered up,” in response to Drake suing UMG and Kendrick in regards to the tune. O’Brien’s second was a playful however pointed remark that mirrored the continued feud between the 2 rap superstars.
However why did this joke trigger such a stir? All of it stems from Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss monitor “Not Like Us,” the place he made critical allegations in opposition to Drake. The monitor, launched in Could 2024, took the music world by storm, sparking intense discussions and a brand new chapter of their public rivalry. The tune debuted at primary on the Billboard Scorching 100, and the drama didn’t cease there. Lamar even carried out “Not Like Us” on the Tremendous Bowl in New Orleans earlier that 12 months, escalating the stress between the 2 hip-hop giants.
Conan O’Brien on the #Oscars: “Properly, we’re midway by way of the present, which suggests it is time for Kendrick Lamar to return out and name Drake a pedophile.” pic.twitter.com/KmbX3QjnlM
— Selection (@Selection) March 3, 2025
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake Feud: A Temporary Overview
To know the importance of O’Brien’s Oscars joke, it’s important to take a step again and have a look at the historical past of the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. The 2 artists, who’re thought of a few of the finest in trendy rap, have had a fancy and sometimes turbulent relationship.
The rivalry between Lamar and Drake dates again to their early days within the hip-hop scene. At first, each artists appeared to respect one another, with occasional collaborations and mutual admiration. Nevertheless, the stress started to rise when each artists began claiming dominance over the rap recreation. The competitors between Lamar’s deep, introspective lyrics and Drake’s industrial success started to fire up animosity within the public eye.
The Launch of “Not Like Us” and Its Impression
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was extra than simply one other diss monitor—it was an announcement. Launched in Could 2024, the monitor rapidly made waves throughout the music world, debuting at primary on the Billboard Scorching 100. Lamar’s lyrics have been sharp, making daring accusations in opposition to Drake, together with the declare that Drake was concerned in inappropriate conduct. This instantly put “Not Like Us” within the highlight, drawing consideration not solely from followers of hip-hop but in addition from mainstream media retailers.
The tune’s success wasn’t simply restricted to the charts. The stress between Lamar and Drake, which had simmered for years, got here to a boiling level. “Not Like Us” grew to become a cultural second, with followers dissecting each line and speculating in regards to the true nature of their rivalry. Was Lamar’s accusation critical, or was it simply one other intelligent little bit of lyrical wordplay?
Lamar’s efficiency of the tune on the 2025 Tremendous Bowl in New Orleans added one other layer to the drama. The efficiency was electrical, and the tune’s controversial lyrics solely intensified the dialog in regards to the feud. Followers flooded social media with reactions, memes, and commentary on Lamar’s daring transfer.
Conan O’Brien’s Oscars Joke: A Playful Commentary on Pressure
Quick ahead to the 97th Academy Awards, and Conan O’Brien was on stage, delivering his common model of humor. The veteran TV discuss present host, identified for his sharp wit and irreverent model, took the chance to poke enjoyable on the ongoing drama between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. His joke, which referenced Lamar’s notorious “Not Like Us” monitor, was an ideal instance of how popular culture, particularly on this planet of leisure, is commonly formed by the facility struggles between celebrities.
“Midway by way of the present, which suggests it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to return out and name Drake a pedophile,” O’Brien quipped, immediately making a buzz on social media. The comment was each humorous and chopping, highlighting the absurdity of the scenario whereas additionally acknowledging the general public nature of the feud. By drawing consideration to Lamar’s monitor and the allegations it contained, O’Brien’s joke struck a chord with audiences who have been already properly conscious of the drama.
Although many took the joke in stride, others criticized O’Brien for making mild of great accusations. Nevertheless, in true O’Brien trend, the joke labored as a result of it was each well timed and topical, tapping right into a dialog that had already captured public consideration.
Why the Kendrick Lamar and Drake Feud Issues
The drama between Kendrick Lamar and Drake isn’t just about rap beef—it’s about cultural affect. Each artists have formed the panorama of hip-hop and up to date music. Their feud is consultant of bigger themes within the music trade, reminiscent of competitors for dominance, the facility of lyrics, and the best way public notion can affect an artist’s profession.
In 2024, rap music skilled a resurgence of diss tracks, with artists like Lamar and Drake main the cost. These tracks have change into a manner for artists to claim their place within the trade, problem their friends, and create a story round their public persona. Whereas some view these tracks as mere publicity stunts, others see them as an genuine expression of the artists’ emotions and frustrations.
The continuing rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake can also be indicative of the evolving position of social media in trendy hip-hop. Each new launch, interview, or efficiency can go viral, shaping the dialog in actual time. This fixed stream of content material permits followers and media retailers to remain engaged and fuels the drama that surrounds figures like Lamar and Drake.
The Oscars and the Energy of Pop Tradition
The 97th Academy Awards offered the proper backdrop for O’Brien’s joke. The Oscars have all the time been greater than only a ceremony to honor movies; they’re a cultural occasion that attracts in an enormous international viewers. By referencing the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud, O’Brien was tapping into the broader popular culture second, one the place the traces between music, leisure, and celeb gossip blur.
The Oscars have lengthy been a platform for comedians and hosts to touch upon present occasions, usually utilizing humor to deal with social and cultural points. On this case, O’Brien’s joke about Lamar and Drake mirrored not solely the stress between the 2 rappers but in addition the bigger theme of celeb rivalries within the leisure trade.
O’Brien’s joke was a mirrored image of how leisure—whether or not within the type of music, comedy, or movie—continues to affect our conversations. The Oscars, as one of many most-watched occasions within the leisure world, offered a stage for this type of cultural commentary to succeed in a large viewers.
The Ongoing Drama and What’s Subsequent
Because the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud continues to evolve, so too does the cultural dialog round it. Conan O’Brien’s joke on the Oscars was only one instance of how the drama between the 2 rap giants has transcended music, turning into part of the broader popular culture panorama. Whether or not it’s by way of diss tracks, performances, or comedy, the rivalry between Lamar and Drake has captivated the general public’s creativeness and exhibits no indicators of slowing down.
For now, followers will proceed to observe and wait, desperate to see how the feud will unfold within the months and years to return. And, as all the time, the world of popular culture will hold evolving, with new celebrities, controversies, and moments that seize our consideration—usually with a little bit humor, identical to Conan O’Brien delivered on that Oscars stage.
