2Pac’s estate threatens Drake with legal action over AI-generated diss track vocals
'Taylor Made Freestyle' is the latest in an ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar
2Pac's estate has threatened Canadian rapper Drake with legal action in a new cease and desist order. The dispute relates to new work shared by the Toronto-based star, which contains lyrics made to sound like the late hip-hop icon, believed to be created using artificial intelligence [AI].
'Taylor Made Freestyle' was unveiled last week as a diss track in which Drake targets Kendrick Lamar. However, elements have been perceived as a "blatant abuse of the legacy of one the greatest hip hop artists of all time," Tupac Shakur. Representatives of his estate claim the song is "a flagrant violation of Tupac's publicity" and their "legal right".
“The Estate would never have given its approval for this use," said entertainment lawyer Howard E. King, who confirmed intentions to "pursue all legal remedies" unless Drake removes the track from public domain.
"The unauthorized, equally dismaying use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, a good friend to the Estate who has given nothing but respect to Tupac and his legacy publicly and privately, compounds the insult,” he added.
Drake and Lamar's feud has been well documented in the media and on record, with the former taking aim through another track, 'Push Ups', after the latter dropped 'Like That', which hits out at both Drake and J.Cole.
This latest chapter is the first to involve suspected AI, with technology also used to impersonate Snoop Dogg. At the time of writing, no official statement has been released about in response, but a recent Snoop Dogg video confirmed his confusion at the situation.
"They did what? When? How? Are you sure?" said Snoop. "Everybody calling my phone, blowing me up — what the fuck? What happened? What's going on? I'm going back to bed, goodnight."
