Reports from Billboard on Wednesday revealed that Tupac Shakur’s family has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Drake concerning his use of the late rapper’s voice in his song “Taylor Made Freestyle,” a diss track aimed at Kendrick Lamar. The estate deemed the use of A.I.-generated vocals of Tupac as a “flagrant violation” of legal rights and a disrespectful misuse of his legacy. Howard King, the estate’s litigator, warned Drake to remove the song within 24 hours or face potential legal repercussions.
In the letter, King expressed the estate’s disappointment and dismay over the unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and persona. He emphasized that such usage not only infringed upon Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights but also disrespected the legacy of one of the most iconic hip-hop artists. King reiterated that the estate would never have granted approval for this type of utilization.
Interestingly, Snoop Dogg, whose likeness was also utilized in “Taylor Made Freestyle,” seemed unfazed by the situation. Taking to Instagram, Snoop expressed his nonchalant attitude and confusion about the matter, suggesting he was not as concerned as Tupac’s estate. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar, the intended target of Drake’s diss tracks, has yet to respond to the controversy surrounding “Taylor Made” and “Push Ups.”
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