2Pac’s estate has issued an ultimatum to Drake over his “Taylor Made Freestyle” diss on Kendrick Lamar, which featured the late rapper’s likeness in artificial intelligence form.
On Wednesday (April 24), Billboard obtained and published a cease-and-desist letter from litigation attorney Howard King to the Canadian superstar for using the West Coast icon’s voice in his latest song Computer generated replica of. The Death Row Records legend’s family have threatened to “pursue all legal remedies” if he does not take down the track within 24 hours of being notified.
“The Estate is deeply frustrated and disappointed with your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” the note read. “Not only does this record blatantly violate Tupac’s legal rights to publicity and legacy; A misuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The estate would never approve this use.
“The unauthorized and equally frustrating use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, a good friend of the estate and who has had nothing but public and private respect for Tupac and his legacy. No, which adds to the insult.
It continued: “It’s hard to believe [2Pac’s record label]The intellectual property rights were not used to create the fake Tupac AI on the Record.this [song] It has generated over one million streams and received extensive coverage in national media and popular entertainment websites and publications. It’s undoubtedly more serious and exponentially more damaging than a photo of you with someone else on a low-traffic website.
“If you comply, the Estate will consider whether it makes sense to resolve the matter through informal negotiations. If you do not comply, our client has authorized the firm to pursue all legal remedies, including but not limited to any infringement of the estate…” Copyright, rights of publicity and moral rights and damages arising therefrom, injunctive relief and punitive action damages and attorneys’ fees.
In response, Pac’s brother also publicly criticized Drizzy’s AI assists. According to an article published by TMZ earlier this week, Mopreme Shakur felt it was inappropriate for 6 God to use his sibling to disrespect another rapper.
He reportedly thinks the “Hotline Bling” hitmaker should go one-on-one with K. Dot rather than resort to what he calls the “nuclear option.”
The 37-year-old posted about the joint in question on the social media platform last week.
While the authenticity of his first comeback was subject to speculation, “Taylor Made Freestyle” openly embraces artificial intelligence and uses the voices of 2Pac and Snoop Dogg to convey a different perspective through lyrics written by Drake.
He referenced Taylor Swift’s new album and TDE boss Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith after using the two legends’ opinions to force his opponent to back off his response. ‘s bar: “But now we have to wait a week ’cause Taylor Swift is your new top / If you’re going to give up, she has to approve / This girl really wants you to act like you’re not arguing / She tailors her schedule with Ant to you without you being a part of it.
Shortly after the song went live, Akademiks revealed on a live stream that he received a text message from the rapper that read, “Well you know I’m trying to get off tour and chill out. N-ggas fucked up my whole feng shui . Now I have to eat until this debate is over.
Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar dropped “Like That” in late March, where the California native dedicated his entire guest verse to Drizzy and Photographed by J. Cole.
The feud has since escalated, with Rick Ross, The Weeknd and A$AP Rocky joining K.Dot’s camp, while Cole dropped out of the feud after releasing a diss song of his own.
