Drake Removes AI Diss After Tupac Estate’s Legal Threat
Drake has removed his AI diss track, which featured AI versions of Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac Shakur, after the “Changes” rapper’s estate threatened legal action over the record. Drizzy used AI versions of the West Coast rappers to take shots at Kendrick Lamar on “Taylor Made Freestyle.”
The AI-generated voice of Tupac is heard rapping “Kendrick, we need ya, the West Coast savior/Engraving your name in some hip-hop history,” AI Tupac raps in the opening verse. “F— this Canadian light-skin, Dot/We need a no-debated West Coast victory, man.”
The cease and desist letter from litigator Howard King, was obtained by Billboard on Wednesday (April 24).
“Not only is the record a flagrant violation of Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, it is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time,” King wrote in the letter. “The Estate would never have given its approval for this use.”
King said that the estate did not appreciate Drake’s use of AI Tupac to diss Lamar as Lamar is “a close friend to the Estate who has consistently shown respect for Tupac and his legacy, both publicly and privately.”
In King’s letter, he wrote that Drake had 24 hours to take the song down. The song is no longer posted on his Instagram page which is where he originally posted it. The song was never submitted to streaming services.
Tupac’s estate was not the only one that was upset with Drake using an AI version of the iconic rapper’s vocals for a diss track. Tupac's brother, Mopreme Shakur told TMZ that he wishes the Toronto artist would not have used his brother’s vocals as a “pawn” on a diss track in which the late rapper is not a part of. Mopreme believes Drake was “weaponizing” Pac’s voice in this hip-hop war with Kendrick. He says that he is a fan of both artists and hopes that they both keep their beef in their lyrics and not on the street.
Drake Officially Releases “Push Ups (Drop & Give Me 50)” Prior To AI Diss
“Taylor Made Freestyle” followed “Push Ups (Drop & Give Me 50)” which Drake officially released last week. Drake used the “Push Ups”cover art to poke fun at the Compton native’s size. The cover art features the labeling for a men’s size 7, which references Drake’s line, “How the f— you big steppin’ with a size 7 mens on?”
After the shoe line Drake continues: “Your last one bricked, you really not on s— / They make excuses for you ’cause they hate to see me lit / Pull your contract ’cause we gotta see the split / Ain’t no way you doin’ splits bitch your pants might rip.”
Drake then came for Kendrick’s guest verses on pop songs and how he had to keep making the verses to please his former label Top Dawg Entertainment.
“Maroon 5 need a verse, you better make it witty / Then we need a verse for the Swifties / Top say drop, you better drop and give him 50 / Pipsqueak, pipe down / You ain’t in no big three, SZA got you wiped down, Travis got you wiped down, Savage got you wiped down / Like your label boy, you Interscope right now,” he raps.
Listen to “Push Ups” below: