In a recent development, the estate of the late hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur has issued a legal notice to Drake. This notice stems from Drake’s release of a diss track targeting Kendrick Lamar, which controversially incorporated AI-generated likenesses of both Tupac and Snoop Dogg, as reported by Billboard.
The letter from Tupac’s estate, distributed by attorney Howard King, conveys a stern and unambiguous stance. It grants Drake a strict 24-hour ultimatum to remove the track in question. Failure to comply within this timeframe will result in the pursuit of ‘all legal remedies against him.’
The letter asserts that Drake’s unauthorized use of Tupac’s likeness is particularly egregious due to its context. It asserts that Tupac’s image was exploited to diss Kendrick Lamar, who has consistently expressed respect for Tupac and his legacy, both publicly and privately.
Regarding Snoop Dogg’s AI-generated voice, the letter refrains from specifying whether the West Coast rapper will also pursue legal action against Drake. However, Snoop Dogg has publicly reacted to the controversy on social media, expressing surprise and confusion, saying, ‘They did what? When? How? Are you sure?.’
It remains uncertain if Snoop Dogg will escalate his response beyond social media commentary and pursue legal action. Nevertheless, the legal notice from Tupac’s estate has undoubtedly raised the stakes in this ongoing feud within the hip-hop community.
