Tupac Shakur’s estate is suing Drake over his trash single ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’, which was released after the late rapper’s death.
On April 19, Drake released ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ on streaming services.
The tune sparked uproar for allegedly using AI-generated voices to mock Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift, impersonating Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.
Tupac’s estate, represented by lawyer Howard King, expressed unhappiness with the “unauthorised use” of his voice and likeness in a cease-and-desist letter obtained by Billboard.
The letter characterizes it as a “flagrant violation” of Tupac’s publicity rights and a “blatant abuse” of his legacy.
King asked that Drake delete the music from all platforms within 24 hours, and threatened “all legal remedies” if he did not comply.
“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorised use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” the text of the letter states.
“Not only does the record violate Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, but it also blatantly exploits the reputation of one of the greatest hip-hop musicians of all time. “The Estate would never have approved this use.”
Drake’s management team has yet to reply publicly.
It remains to be seen whether Snoop Dogg, whose voice was also allegedly imitated, will take similar legal action.
Tupac was fatally shot as he left a boxing event in 1996.
In 2017, Snoop Dogg posthumously inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.