The estate of Tupac Shakur is threatening to sue Drake for using an AI-generated voice on a diss track against Kendrick Lamar, calling it “a flagrant violation” of the law and a “blatant abuse” of his legacy.
In a Wednesday cease-and-desist letter acquired exclusively by Billboard, lawyer Howard King warned Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham) that the estate would “pursue all of its legal remedies” against him if he did not remove his “Taylor Made Freestyle” within 24 hours.
King noted in the letter that the Estate was appalled by your unauthorized appropriation of Tupac's voice and personality.
“The record violates Tupac's publicity and the estate's legal rights and abuses one of the greatest hip-hop artists' legacy. This use would never have been approved by the Estate.
On Friday, Drake released “Taylor Made” in the newest episode of his feud with Lamar.
The tune, which mocked Kendrick and Taylor Swift, also grabbed news for its use of artificial intelligence to construct false verses from Tupac and Snoop Dogg, two West Coast icons Lamar idolizes.
AI-generated Tupac raps, “Kendrick, we need ya, the West Coast savior/ Engraving your name in some hip-hop history,” in Drake's song.
“If you handle this viciously/ You seem a little nervous about the publicity.”
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