Duolingo, the popular language-learning app, has joined the growing list of brands poking fun at Canadian rapper Drake following his public feud with Kendrick Lamar. On February 11, 2025, the app posted a mock announcement on Instagram declaring the death of its iconic mascot, Duo the Owl.
The post read: “It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formerly known as The Duolingo Owl, is dead. Authorities are investigating the cause, and we are cooperating fully. To be honest, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know?”
When followers inquired about a potential suspect, Duolingo cheekily responded, “Authorities are looking into a Canadian rapper.” This joke quickly gained traction online, fueling speculation that it was a direct shot at Drake, who has had a rough few weeks after Kendrick Lamar’s piñata smash of his owl logo in the music video for “Not Like Us.”
The Ongoing Drake Feud
This latest jab is part of an ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which escalated after Lamar’s Grammy success and Super Bowl performance. The feud, which started in April 2024, has seen brands like Heinz, the NBA, and Apple Music join in on the fun, trolling Drake over various incidents.
Duolingo, with its mischievous sense of humor, continued the joke across different platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), the app teased, “We’re currently investigating Jimmy.” This was likely a reference to Drake’s former role as Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation.
On TikTok, animated characters from Duolingo—Lily and Zari—were shown solemnly carrying Duo’s coffin to a pickup truck before driving off, amplifying the playful tone of the entire bit.
Drake’s Public Struggles
While the internet seems to be loving the trolling, it’s safe to say that Drake probably isn’t amused. After facing public blows from Kendrick Lamar and other online banter, the latest mockery from Duolingo adds another challenge to the Toronto rapper’s already tough stretch.
Duolingo’s mascot, Duo, has long been a symbol of the app’s commitment to encouraging users to stay on top of their language lessons. The company even jokingly encouraged followers to share their credit card details to “honor Duo’s memory” with a premium subscription.
While Duolingo quickly clarified it was all in good fun, it’s clear that the internet is enjoying every minute of it.
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