Synopsis
At the 97th Academy Awards, comedian Conan O'Brien humorously acknowledged the long-standing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, making a joke that referenced Lamar's diss track and the legal issues surrounding it.Key Takeaways
- Conan O'Brien hosted the 97th Academy Awards.
- He made a joke about Drake and Kendrick Lamar's feud.
- Reference to Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us'.
- Drake has ongoing legal issues with Universal Music Group.
- UMG denies allegations made by Drake.
Los Angeles, March 3 (NationPress) Comedian Conan O'Brien, the host of the 97th Academy Awards, made a humorous nod to the ongoing tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar during the ceremony.
The 61-year-old funnyman directed a quip at the 38-year-old Canadian artist, as reported by 'People' magazine.
“We’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to appear and label Drake a pedophile,” he joked, referencing a line from Lamar’s diss track 'Not Like Us', which garnered five Grammys at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
“Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up,” he quipped in reference to Drake’s legal battles with Universal Music Group.
According to 'People', this jest follows Drake's recent settlement with IHeartMedia regarding 'Not Like Us' on February 28.
Documents reviewed by 'People' on November 25, 2024, reveal that Drake filed a lawsuit against IHeartMedia and Universal Music Group, claiming the firm “initiated a campaign to manipulate and flood streaming services and airwaves” with Lamar’s track. UMG, which represents both artists, refuted the claims in an official statement.
Subsequently, Drake launched another lawsuit against the label for promoting 'Not Like Us', alleging it contained defamatory remarks about him. The complaint asserted that UMG “approved, published, and initiated a campaign to create a viral sensation out of a rap track that falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile and incites violent retribution against him.”
In response, UMG stated, “These allegations are not only untrue, but the idea that we would aim to damage the reputation of any artist, especially Drake, is irrational.”
“We have made substantial investments in his music, and our global team has tirelessly worked for many years to assist him in achieving historic commercial and personal financial success,” the statement concluded.
