Conan O’Brien Takes a Swing at Drake During Oscars, Channels Kendrick Lamar
Conan O’Brien brought his signature blend of humor and controversy to the 2023 Oscars, mixing up Hollywood’s biggest night with some spicy Super Bowl references. As the show hit its midway point, Conan couldn’t resist taking a jab at the ongoing beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. He quipped that it was the perfect time to quote Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which features some pretty provocative lines aimed at Drake, including a reference to him as a “pedophile.” That particular lyric, however, was notably censored by Lamar during his Super Bowl Halftime performance just a month earlier, sparking a lot of conversation about the line and its implications.
Conan’s joke landed well with the audience, drawing laughter from the A-list attendees, and he cheekily assured everyone he had legal protection before stepping on stage—the man knows his audience! Beyond just poking fun at Drake, who has become a frequent target for comedians since the release of Lamar’s diss track, Conan also threw shade at other celebrities. He made a bold move by referencing Karla Sofía Gascón’s controversial posts, all while she was sitting in the audience.
Drake’s been riding the waves of public scrutiny lately, especially following the Grammy Awards where Kendrick’s work took home several trophies and reignited the rivalry. The diss track that stirred the pot last year has kept fans and media buzzing, and it seems that Conan’s jibes at Drake won’t be the last we hear this award season.
While the Oscars typically focus on celebrating cinematic achievements, Conan’s mix of humor and edge reflects a trend where the lines between music and film come together, especially when high-profile feuds are involved. With over a billion viewers tuning in, it’s safe to say that both the jokes and the tension between these two hip-hop titans aren’t going away anytime soon.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Billboard, Variety
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