Conan O’Brien Jokes About Kendrick Lamar and Drake Feud at 2025 Oscars
March 3, 2025
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Conan O’Brien is delivering a night full of laughs as the host of the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony, even poking fun at one of the biggest rap rivalries around — Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
During the Sunday, March 2, awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, the 61-year-old former late-night host made a joke about the two rapper’s infamous feud.
In the middle of the show, the comedian said onstage, “Well, we’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile.”
Host Conan O’Brien speaks onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. Host Conan O’Brien speaks onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The former Saturday Night Live writer was referring to the 37-year-old “HUMBLE.” rapper’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance, where he sang his Grammy Award-winning diss track aimed at Drake, “Not Like Us.”
Lamar sings the following line in the song: “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles.” However, during his Super Bowl performance, Lamar did not say the pedophile line. Instead, the crowd shouted the lyrics for him.
After O’Brien delivered his joke, he noted, “Don’t Worry, I’m lawyered up,” seemingly referring to how Drake is suing Universal Music Group. Lamar also brought up the lawsuit during his Super Bowl performance in February, singing, “I want to perform they favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”
Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles Apple Music Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 9, 2025. Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles Apple Music Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 9, 2025. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/Getty Images
Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts about the rap drama being a topic of conversation at the Oscars.
“Classic Conan! Always bringing the humor to the Oscars. That definitely got some laughs!” one fan wrote.
“not drake catching strays at the oscars too kendrick you will always be famous!! #Oscars,” a second person penned.
A third person commented, “Conan nails it, halfway mark, cue Kendrick vs. Drake!”
Drake performs onstage during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Drake performs onstage during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Prince Williams/Wireimage
While some fans loved the joke, others thought the host did not need to go there.
“Even as a Kendrick fan that’s WILD AS HELL to say at the Oscar’s fam,” someone else wrote.
Another individual commented, “Conan, not funny. Hasn’t been for a very long time.”
“Why does everyone love to hate on drake? Smh,” a separate fan posted on the app.
Lamar and Drake’s long-standing feud came to a head in 2024, with both of them releasing multiple diss tracks aimed at each other.
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