Tupac Shakur’s estate is poised to take legal action against Drake over his latest track ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ which is dissing Kendrick Lamar.
The late rapper’s estate is threatening legal action because Drake used AI-generated verses mimicking Tupac Shakur’s voice.
Lawyer Howard King, representing the estate, issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Drake remove the track from all public platforms by noon Thursday.
The letter highlighted that the unauthorized use of Tupac’s likeness violates his right to publicity, which safeguards against the unauthorized use of one’s name or image. There are concerns that listeners may mistakenly believe the estate endorses the lyrics, potentially damaging Tupac’s reputation.
The estate is seeking damages, including all profits from the track, citing significant economic and reputational harm resulting from Drake’s unapproved use of Tupac’s voice. The letter also underscored the additional insult of using Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, who is a friend of the estate and has consistently shown respect for Tupac’s legacy.
Drake’s diss track was released following Kendrick Lamar’s recent verses targeting Drake and J. Cole, prompting speculation among fans about Drake’s potential response. However, the estate’s primary concern remains the unauthorized use of Tupac’s likeness and its potential impact on his enduring legacy.
Representatives for Tupac’s estate declined further comment, while Drake’s representative also refrained from providing a statement on the matter. This legal dispute underscores the complexities surrounding the use of AI-generated voices in music and its implications for artists’ legacies and intellectual property rights.
