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Drake has been served with a cease-and-desist letter from Tupac Shakur’s estate for his use of an AI-generated imitation of Tupac’s voice in his new song, “Taylor Made (Freestyle).” The estate claims that this unauthorized use is a blatant abuse of Tupac’s legacy and demands that Drake immediately cease publication and remove the song from all platforms. This article delves into the details of the situation, the estate’s grievances, and the potential implications for artists and the AI industry.
The estate of Tupac Shakur, represented by his mother, Afeni Shakur, expressed deep dismay and disappointment in Drake’s unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality in “Taylor Made (Freestyle).” The estate’s cease-and-desist letter, obtained by USA TODAY, demands that Drake take all necessary steps to remove the song from public platforms where it is available. The letter asserts that the release violates Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, which they would never have approved. Furthermore, the estate notes that the use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, a friend who has shown respect for Tupac’s legacy, compounds the insult.
Following the receipt of the cease-and-desist letter, Drake’s “Taylor Made” audio clip, which he had posted on Instagram, was no longer accessible. This action suggests that Drake has complied with the estate’s demands and has removed the song from his social media platform.
The estate’s letter emphasizes that Drake’s song created a false impression that Tupac and the estate endorsed the lyrics and the sound-alike, negatively impacting the market for Amaru Entertainment, Inc.’s own AI projects. Additionally, the estate urges Drake to consider the harm that unauthorized AI impersonations can cause to artists, including himself. This situation raises questions about the legal and ethical boundaries surrounding the use of AI-generated voices and the potential consequences for artists, their legacies, and the industry as a whole.
In an interesting twist, “Taylor Made” also features a recreation of Snoop Dogg’s voice. Snoop Dogg appeared to address this in a video shared on Instagram, expressing surprise and confusion over the use of his voice in the song. This response adds another layer of intrigue to the situation, highlighting the complexities surrounding the use of celebrity voices without proper authorization.