Sheryl Crow has publicly criticized Drake for using AI-generated vocals of the late rapper Tupac Shakur in his Kendrick Lamar diss track, “Taylor Made Freestyle.” In a recent interview with the BBC, Crow expressed her dismay over the use of artificial intelligence to recreate the voices of deceased artists, calling it “hateful” and “antithetical to the life force that exists in all of us.”
Drake’s controversial track, released in April, featured AI-generated versions of Tupac and Snoop Dogg, alongside barbs aimed at both Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar. The song was taken down a week after its release following a cease-and-desist letter from Tupac’s estate, which threatened legal action.
“You cannot bring people back from the dead and believe that they would stand for that,” Crow said. “I’m sure Drake thought, ‘Yeah, I shouldn’t do it, but I’ll say sorry later.’ But it’s already done, and people will find it even if he takes it down.”
Crow’s criticism extends beyond this specific incident, as she has long been vocal about the potential dangers of AI in the music industry. She revealed that she frequently discusses these concerns with her children, warning them about the gradual and insidious nature of AI’s impact on art and creativity.
“I’m like, ‘You’re growing up with this thing and it doesn’t seem dangerous to you because you’re a frog in a pot of water. But the water is only just starting to boil, and you won’t realize it’s getting hotter until we’re all floating on the top,'” she explained. “AI can do lots of things, but it can’t go out and play live. So as long as we have live music, as long as we have hands holding a paintbrush, all is not lost.”
The cease-and-desist letter from Tupac’s estate, represented by attorney Howard E. King, condemned Drake’s use of AI-generated vocals as a “flagrant violation” of Tupac’s publicity rights and the estate’s legal rights. King described the track as a “blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time.”
“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” King wrote. “It is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time.”
King further claimed that the diss track caused “substantial economic and reputational harm” by giving the “false impression that the estate and Tupac promote or endorse the lyrics for the sound-alike.” He emphasized that the estate would never have approved such use, especially against Kendrick Lamar, who has publicly and privately shown respect for Tupac and his legacy.
Crow also shared a personal anecdote during the interview, recounting how a female songwriter she knows used AI technology trained on John Mayer’s voice to create demos that sounded as though they were recorded by Mayer himself. Crow found the experience unsettling, noting that the AI-generated vocals were indistinguishable from the real thing.
“I know John, and I know the nuances of his voice,” Crow said. “And there would be no way you’d have been able to tell that he was not singing that song.”
Crow has previously addressed the issue of AI in her music, notably in her single “Evolution,” released in February. In a statement at the time, she expressed her concerns about AI’s potential to replace human creativity and its implications for future generations.
“Stephen Hawking worried that AI would replace humans,” Crow said. “As a mom, I want to leave a better world for my children, a healthier planet — is AI going to be a benevolent partner in these goals or not? It’s unsettling, and this song deals with those anxieties.”
Drake’s feud with Kendrick Lamar has been ongoing for years, with both artists exchanging diss tracks. In March, Lamar released “Like That,” taking aim at Drake and fellow rapper J Cole, claiming that rather than representing the genre’s “big three,” it’s just “big me.” Drake responded with “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which ultimately led to the controversy over the use of AI-generated Tupac vocals.
Last month, Drake released another track, “Family Matters,” in which he accused Lamar of hypocrisy in his pro-Black activism and alleged domestic violence. He also accused Lamar of “begging” Tupac’s estate to sue him for using AI versions of the late rapper in a diss track.
Crow’s criticism of Drake’s use of AI-generated vocals highlights a broader debate within the music industry about the ethical implications of using technology to recreate the voices of deceased artists. As AI continues to advance, artists and their estates will need to navigate the complex legal and moral landscape surrounding the use of such technology.
Source: BBC, OK! Magazine
