The estate of Tupac Shakur, the late US rapper, is taking legal action against Drake following the release of the Canadian singer’s diss track ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’.

On April 19, Drake released ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ on streaming services.

The track stirred outrage with its alleged use of AI-generated vocals imitating Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg — apparently to taunt Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift.

According to a cease-and-desist letter obtained by Billboard, Tupac’s estate, represented by lawyer Howard King, expressed disappointment over the “unauthorised use” of Tupac’s voice and likeness.

The letter calls it a “flagrant violation” of Tupac’s publicity rights and a “blatant abuse” of his legacy.

King demanded that Drake remove the song from all platforms within 24 hours, threatening “all legal remedies” if he failed to comply.

“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorised use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” the letter reads.

“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. The Estate would never have given its approval for this use.”

Drake’s management has yet to respond publicly.

It remains to be seen if Snoop Dogg, whose voice was also seemingly imitated, will take similar legal action.

Tupac was fatally shot while leaving a boxing match in 1996.

Davido, the Nigerian singer, has reacted to a claim by Napji, the music producer, that he has yet to complete his payment for “royalties and publishing”.

In an X post on Tuesday, the producer claimed the singer has yet to pay him fully for producing three songs off his 2020 album ‘A Better Time’.

Napji, who claimed to have produced ‘Fem’, ‘Jowo’, and ‘Sunlight’, added that he would release more details soon.

“I am Napji, producer behind Fem, Jowo and sunlight on @davido album (A better time) which was released 13th November 2020,” he wrote.

“I was paid an advance of 500 thousand naira for each of the songs. I will be releasing more information as I seek to collect my royalties & publishing.”

In his reaction, Davido, who neither denied nor confirmed the claim, hurled insults at Napji.

Ur papa https://t.co/8C1VyzXbRO

— Davido (@davido) April 23, 2024

The Afrobeats star had faced similar accusations in the past.

In August 2023, Alabi Adetutu, the Nigerian model, accused Davido of owing her for her role in ‘Wonder Woman’ visuals.

In 2022, Dammy Krane, the singer, also called out Davido to pay him for his contribution to the hit song ‘Pere’.

Krane said despite co-writing the 2017 hit song — which featured Rae Sremmurd and rapper Young Thug — “Davido is yet to pay my outstanding fee”.

Tyla, the South African singer, says Tems, the Nigerian songstress, paved the way for global recognition of female African artistes.

The music stars recently joined forces on ‘No.1’, a song off Tyla’s self titled album.

In a recent interview on Kiss Fresh FM, Tyla described Tems as an “amazing” singer who opened doors for African female artistes globally.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her.

“Amazing. Tems is so talented. She is literally a force. I am so honoured to have worked with her. She has opened so many doors for us,” she said.

“We made such a beautiful song with such a beautiful message. It is a song for the girls and it is made by the girls.”

In 2023, Tyla revealed Tems inspires her as an African artiste.

In response, Tems graciously accepted the accolades, and expressed confidence that Tyla is similarly empowering young South African girls through her music.

“Man, it is an honour, I am very very, 100% sure that she’s inspiring many many many many South African babe, many girls around the world as well”, she said.

Both artistes have continued to enjoy fame globally for their talents.