The 2025 Oscars took an unexpected turn when host Conan O’Brien made a sharp joke about the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, reigniting conversations about comedy, culture, and controversy.
During his monologue, O’Brien quipped: “We’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile.”
The remark referenced Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track, Not Like Us, which took direct aim at Drake and became a defining moment in their high-profile rivalry.
While the audience reacted with mixed responses, the joke’s writer, Skyler Higley, defended the line, saying it was meant to highlight a cultural moment rather than take sides.
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Calling out criticism of the joke as “absurd,” Higley emphasized that the reference was rooted in real-life events and intended to reflect ongoing discussions in music and entertainment.
Drake, who previously sued iHeartMedia and Universal Music Group over the alleged promotion of Not Like Us, recently settled with iHeartMedia, further fueling speculation about the long-term impact of the feud.
Though O’Brien’s joke added another layer to the ongoing drama, it also raised questions about the limits of comedy at major awards shows. Was it an edgy but acceptable take on pop culture, or did it cross a line?
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