Conan O’Brien hosted the Academy Awards and joked about a hip-hop feud. He mocked the Drake and Kendrick Lamar rivalry midway through the show. "Kendrick Lamar will call Drake a pedophile,” he said, then paused. "Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up," he added with a smile. The joke referenced Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Lamar performed "Not Like Us," a diss track aimed at Drake. A lyric in the song called Drake a "Certified pedophile.”
The feud began in early 2024 with Lamar's verse on "Like That." Diss tracks flew back and forth between the two rappers. "Not Like Us" became the most popular song from the conflict. Lamar won awards just before his Super Bowl performance. He took home Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammys. Drake responded with music and legal action. He sued Universal Music Group for defamation. He claimed they pushed a false story. The lawsuit moved the fight to the courtroom.
O’Brien’s Oscars joke showed how widespread the feud had become. The lyrical battle became a mainstream event. It grabbed the attention of fans and people in Hollywood. Conan O’Brien isn't a hip-hop expert, but he likes the genre. As a late-night host, he has interviewed many rappers. Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Kendrick Lamar have all been on his show. He connects with rappers through humor.
O’Brien favors classic rock and comedy music. He still understands hip-hop culture. His show includes rap sketches. He even did a rap battle with Rainn Wilson. His podcast has featured guests from music. Hip-hop sometimes comes up in those talks.
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