Drake has apparently learned that it’s not wise to mess with Tupac Shakur, even decades after his untimely death. billboard First, it was discovered that the Canadian hip-hop artist deleted the X post (Twitter) titled “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which used an AI-generated replica of Shakur’s voice to get under the skin of Kendrick Lamar go.
The takedown came after a lawyer for the late hip-hop legend threatened to sue the Canadian rapper over his “unauthorized” use of Tupac’s voice if he didn’t remove it from social channels within 24 hours. However, the title was online for a week and, unsurprisingly, was reposted numerous times.
“The estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” Howard King, the attorney representing Shakur’s estate, wrote earlier this week in a cease-and-desist letter obtained by billboard. “The record is not only a blatant violation of Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, but also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. “The estate would never have approved this use.”
King suggested that using Shakur’s voice to discredit Lamar was a particularly egregious expression of disrespect. Lamar, a 17-time Grammy winner and Pulitzer Prize winner, has often spoken about his deep admiration for Tupac, and the Oakland rapper’s legacy indicates that the feelings are mutual. “The unauthorized, equally disturbing use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, a good friend of the estate who has shown nothing but respect publicly and privately to Tupac and his legacy, adds insult to injury,” King wrote in a cease-and-desist letter.
Drake’s track also featured an AI-generated clone of Snoop Dogg’s voice. The Doggy style The rapper and cannabis lover expressed surprise in a social media post last week: “You did what? When? How? Are you sure?” He continued, “Why is everyone calling my phone and blowing me up? What the fuck? What happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Goodnight.”
However, the one-off Doggy Fizzle Televizzle The host has a long history of being a shy poker face. Last year, he solemnly announced on Instagram that he was “quitting smoking,” prompting intense speculation as to why the stoner icon would give up his favorite pastime. Soon after, his announcement was revealed to be a PR stunt for Solo Stove – which, marketing gimmicks aside, makes some great campfire pits.