Oscars joke writer Skyler Higley defended the Kendrick Lamar and Drake joke he wrote for the 97th Academy Awards monologue. He explained the joke was in reference to the cultural moment and that O'Brien was not taking sides in the rappers' feud.

Conan O'Brien shocked the Oscars with a joke about the ongoing beef between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and it's one that earned the joke writer some cash. Comedian and writer Skyler Higley was the brains behind the joke,

The writer behind host Conan O'Brien's joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake at the 2025 Oscars knew the line would elicit big laughs from the audience. During last night's telecast from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles,