The recent controversy surrounding Drake’s use of an AI-generated feature of late rapper 2Pac in his diss track “Taylor Made Freestyle” has sparked a legal battle between 2Pac’s estate and the Canadian superstar. The estate of the legendary West Coast icon has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Drake, warning him to remove the track within 24 hours or face legal action.
In the letter, litigator Howard King expresses the estate’s disappointment and dismay at Drake’s unauthorized use of 2Pac’s voice and likeness. The estate argues that the use of the AI-generated replica is a clear violation of 2Pac’s publicity and legal rights, as well as a disrespectful abuse of his legacy as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The estate asserts that they would never have approved such use of 2Pac’s image and voice.
2Pac’s brother, Mopreme Shakur, has also publicly criticized Drake for his use of the AI-assisted feature in the diss track. He believes that it was inappropriate for Drake to use 2Pac in a song aimed at disrespecting another rapper, namely Kendrick Lamar. Shakur feels that Drake should have engaged in a more direct confrontation with Lamar instead of resorting to what he deems as the “nuclear option” of using 2Pac’s voice in the track.
This legal battle highlights the complex and sensitive nature of posthumous collaborations in the music industry. The issue of using deceased artists’ voices and images in new works without their consent raises questions about ethics, respect for artistic legacy, and legal rights. While technology has enabled artists to create artificial replicas of deceased musicians, it also raises ethical and legal considerations regarding the use of these replicas in new works.
In conclusion, the dispute between 2Pac’s estate and Drake over the use of an AI-generated feature in the “Taylor Made Freestyle” serves as a reminder of the challenges and controversies surrounding posthumous collaborations in the music industry. As artists continue to explore new technologies and innovations in music production, it is important to consider the ethical implications and legal rights of using deceased artists’ voices and images in new works..googleapis.
