Superstar rapper Drake sent the internet (or X in particular) into a frenzy when he released a dissident track featuring AI versions of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg, but now the Canadian MC is facing a legal challenge from Tupac’s estate.
“Taylor Made” is a dissident track aimed at fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar and feeds into the ongoing feud between the two music icons, which has even drawn Kanye West into it. The track features AI-generated vocals from late hip-hop sensation Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg, also a West Coast legend.
The song, released on April 19, 2024, was recorded as a joke by Snoop Dogg, who appeared unimpressed in a video message but drew the ire of Tupac’s team.
What does Tupac’s estate say about Drake’s track?
According to Billboard, Tupac’s legal team, led by attorney Howard King, is threatening to take Drake to court over the unauthorized use of the late rapper’s voice. King called the move “a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time” and explained that the estate never gave permission for the use of Tupac’s vocals.
In a statement addressing the controversy, King expressed the estate’s disappointment and dismay at Drake’s actions. “The estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” he said. “The property would never have agreed to this use.”
In addition to taking aim at Lamar, “Taylor Made” also references pop superstar Taylor Swift, suggesting that the release of her upcoming album could overshadow the ongoing feud between the rappers.
While Snoop Dogg, whose AI-generated voice is also heard on the track, appeared to react with amusement in a cryptic Instagram post with various emojis, Tupac’s estate is taking a more serious stance. They have demanded that Drake remove “Taylor Made” from the internet within 24 hours, threatening legal action if he does not comply.
The threat must have been taken seriously by Drake, as the “Taylor Made” dissident was deleted from his X account on Thursday (April 25).
Snoop Dogg reacts to AI Snoop’s use of Drake’s second dissident against Kendrick pic.twitter.com/ZFmMuVCoj2
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) April 20, 2024
The use of AI-generated vocals in music has become increasingly common on social media platforms, which has sparked discussions about artists’ rights and the possible misuse of their likenesses. Advanced AI music generators like Suno have also raised concerns in the industry.
Featured image: Flickr/musicisentropy