All Drake wanted to do was have some fun. But even folks on the country side aren’t having his Tupac cosplay. In an interview with BBC, country icon Sheryl Crow expressed her chagrin toward artists using AI in their music. Specifically, Drake’s use of AI to imitate Tupac’s voice on his Kendrick Lamar diss track, “Taylor Made Freestyle.”
“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. It’s hateful. It is antithetical to the life force that exists in all of us.”
The track was removed from online shortly after its release, largely in part to Tupac’s estate threatening a lawsuit. However, Crow says that Drake’s actions cannot be undone.
But luckily, she isn’t too shaken up about the possibility of AI creeping into the industry. Especially because artists can do what AI can’t — perform with live with pure, raw vocals and instrumentation.
“AI can do lots of things, but it can’t go out and play live,” Crow said. “So as long as we have live music, as long as we have hands holding a paintbrush, all is not lost.”
Cash Cobain is blowing up. He’s become one of the most sought-after talents in hip-hop over the last couple years. Unsurprisingly, Cobain has already linked up with Drake. The two men collaborated on the song “Calling for You,” which has become a source of controversy since its release in 2023. A reference track for “Calling for You” seemingly leaked online in April, suggesting that Cobain wrote the entire song. The rapper dismissed the reference track on social media, but a recent No Jumper interview led to him doubling down on his claim.
Cash Cobain was asked for clarity and he provided it. He claimed that the rumor of him ghostwriting for Drake is “fake news” and “cap” with no concrete proof. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he told the host. “I don’t write for nobody but me.” Cobain went on to assert that he isn’t against the concept of writing for other artists. “Why not,” he said. “Rihanna do it, Beyonce do it. All day, they got the biggest records. It’s a business.” He did, however, admit that there was a difference between writing for a pop singer or R&B star versus a rapper. “It’s just rap sh*t, you know,” he added.
Originality is something Cash Cobain prides himself on. He’s voiced admiration for artists like Jay-Z and 50 Cent the past, but made it clear that he wants to cultivate his own sound. “I didn’t want to emulate nobody,” he told Passion of the Weiss. “I love 50 Cent, Jay-Z, I loved all the artists growing up but those two were like, the main ones. [But] I didn’t want to emulate. I just wanted to make beats.” The decision to pursue a distinct sound has definitely paid off. Cash Cobain’s sound, which he describes as “sexy trap,” has spread like wildfire in 2024. He’s gotten co-signs from artists like J. Cole and Busta Rhymes, and his production style has is gradually bleeding into the mainstream.
Cash Cobain recently made the XXL Freshman list. He’s yet to link back up with Drake following the AI reference track leak, but the more successful he gets on his own, the less he needs a co-sign from the 6 God. Especially considering the all-time low that Drake’s reputation is currently at. It’ll be fascinating to see whether Cash Cobain recants his claim about writing only for himself as his profile continues to rise. Especially as more and more pop artists try to emulate his sound. If anything, Drake just got to the party early.
Joe Budden is laying claim to starting the effort to get Drake out of the paint.
Speaking in a Spaces conversation on X, Budden credits his onslaught of disses to Drake in 2016 as a start to the slow “take down” of Drake. Those disses, aligned with his podcast rants, assisted in igniting the run of his now I’ll Name This Podcast Later, which was renamed The Joe Budden Podcast.
“It may sound narcissistic, but I don’t think any one man takes down Drake,” said Budden. “I think I passed the baton to Push, I think Push passed the baton to Kendrick, and the job is done now.”
In May, Joe Budden examined the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef as it currently stands. Speaking with Akademiks, Budden says he is over it, and Drake is tired.
“I’m over it. Drake sounds exhausted,” Budden said. “I want the battle to end after ‘Not Like Us.’ I learned today I like Drake on offense and not defense.”
You can hear it below.
Joe Budden on call with Akademiks stream reacts to ‘The Heart Part 6’ and says Kendrick has beaten Drake if the battle ends today
“I’m over it… Drake sounds exhausted… I want the battle to end after Not Like Us… I learned today I like Drake on offense and not defense” pic.twitter.com/dd7orCCNKk
“The Heart Pt. 6” from Drake sounded like his last entry in the beef with Kendrick Lamar. He even raps in the middle of sexual assault jabs, “I don’t wanna diss you anymore, this really got me second guessing.”
Depending on who you ask, Drake is one of the unluckiest guys in the world. Yes, he has a lot of money and he’s extremely famous, but when it comes to aligning himself with winning sports teams and athletes who are able to come out on top, well, he doesn’t always look great.
Is there actually some sort of supernatural force that works against Drake and the teams he gets behind? Probably not, unless Kendrick Lamar is far more powerful than I originally anticipated. But unfortunately for Drake, the two huge bets that he made on the two major American sports leagues that crowned a champion this month went kaput, as he posted the following picture to his Instagram account back at the beginning of June.
“Dallas cause I’m a Texan,” Drake wrote in his comment. “Oilers are self explanatory.”
The Mavericks, of course, only took one game off of the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, and actually got blown out (twice) more than they won. As such, the Celtics were able to win their 18th championship in only five games.
Edmonton was a slightly different story. The team looked like it was going to get swept in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, but they were able to rally and win three games in a row to force a decisive Game 7 back in Florida. Unfortunately for the Oilers, they were unable to finish off their miracle comeback, as the Panthers were able to win a cagey game on their home ice, 2-1, en route to lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
The use of AI technology in music, but especially in general, has a lot of people upset and frightened. However, it does not seem like it is going to stop evolving any time soon. Like all things in life, it has its benefits and drawbacks. Only time will tell if people stick to being against it or come around to the idea. But right now, it seems like the general consensus is that its ruining authenticity. That is certainly a valid argument, and it is one that GRAMMY award-winning singer Sheryl Crow is using against Drake. According to AllHipHop, the “Soak Up The Sun” songwriter vented her frustrations with BBC in a feature about this, but also her personal experience with AI, and thoughts on it overall.
Part of the reason this was a topic in the first place was because the longtime vocalist talks about the controversial tech on her new album, Evolution. Specifically, this message is spread on the title track as it refers to a time when a producer replaced her vocals with AI John Mayer. With the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef being so public, artists even like Sheryl Crow know generally what has been going on in hip-hop. As we said, the Missouri native was more than displeased with the Canadian superstar, labeling his action as “hateful”, and “antithetical to the life force that exists in all of us”.
Crow continued, “You cannot bring people back from the dead and believe that they would stand for that. 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”. “Taylor Made Freestyle” was eventually removed due to a cease-and-desist from legal representatives for Tupac’s estate. But she does have a strong point, as what goes on the internet, stays there forever. That is partially why Crow is nervous for society, but also for her kids. She told her teenagers, “‘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’”.
What are your thoughts on Sheryl Crow putting Drake on blast for using an AI Tupac feature? Are her criticisms valid, why or why not? Do you agree or disagree with her thoughts on the technology in general? Is Drake at the lowest point in his career right now? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Drake is going through it. The rapper who was dubbed the artist of the 2010s has fallen on hard times in 2024. Former collaborators turned against him and/or dissed him. Kendrick Lamar effectively gave him a bigger rap battle loss than Pusha T. He then went on to celebrate his victory with an already legendary concert on Juneteeth. The dust hasn’t settled on the anti-Drake show, and the rapper has already fallen victim to another unflattering incident. He just lost $1 million betting on the Stanley Cup finals.
The Florida Panthers triumphed over the Edmonton Oilers on June 24. Being the supportive Canadian that he is, Drake put down a bet on the Oilers. The rapper posted the betting stub for the Stanley Cup Finals on June 6, confirming its value of $500K. To make matters worse, it was one of two $500K bets the rapper made that day. He also put down $500K for the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA finals, which means he lost a staggering $1 million in the last two weeks. The X Twitter account Dallas Nation reposted the betting stubs with a claim that the “Drake curse” is alive and well.
The “Drake curse” has been a talking point for over a decade. The rapper was quickly deemed back luck to any sports team that he took an interest in. The concept gained so much traction, in fact, that Drake made joke about it during the Toronto Raptors’ NBA title run in 2019. After the Raptors beat the Orlando Magic to advance to the second round, Drake sarcastically asked journalists: “You want me to talk about the curse or you guys good?”
Drake’s betting habits has made for humorous fodder. The rapper’s habits was presented in a more sinister light on the Kendrick Lamar diss, “Meet the Grahams,” however. On the song, Lamar presented Drake’s betting as an addiction, and the cause of unreported money problems. “Thirty-seven, but you showin’ up as a seven-year-old,” Lamar raps. “You got gamblin’ problems, drinkin’ problems, pill-poppin’ and spendin’ problems. Bad with money…” This latest loss isn’t going to help refute Lamar’s claim.
Kendrick Lamar has never been more beloved. He was already considered the best lyricist of his generation, but the Drake battle, and subsequent “Pop Out” show have vaunted him into the GOAT conversation. “Not Like Us” is a number one single, and the music video, which is being shot in Dot’s hometown, is currently in production. It’s one of the biggest songs of the year. It’s also, according to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr., eligible for the Grammys.
Mason discussed “Not Like Us” on June 24. TMZ reporters inquired about the song’s chances of getting a Grammy nomination, and the CEO was hopeful. “Obviously, it’s a hot record, it’s amazing artistry,” he asserted. “Great writing… Incredible.” Mason also pointed out that Kendrick Lamar is a favorite among Grammy voters. “You got an artist that’s been nominated before,” the CEO said. “He’s been successful with the organization. I don’t see any reason why it couldn’t be.” Mason insisted that the quality of the song is what matters at the end of the day, and “Not Like Us” checks all the boxes.
Kendrick Lamar Has A Great Track Record With Voters
TMZ asked Harvey Mason, Jr. whether the song’s accusations and verbal attacks would be too much for Grammy voters. The CEO remained steadfast. He told the outlet that Grammy voters vote for “greatness” at the end of the day, and Kendrick Lamar radiates greatness. “That’s a relevant record,” he added. “It’s impactful on so many levels. I like to believe the Academy members recognize that. Mason then gave his thoughts on a possible “diss” category being introduced at the Grammys. He laughed, but didn’t refute the idea entirely. “Anything is possible,” he quipped.
To say Kendrick Lamar has had success with Grammy voters is an understatement. He has 50 Grammy nominations under his belt, along with 17 wins. He cleaned up during the 2018 ceremony, in particular, winning five Grammys for the album DAMN. and four for the single “HUMBLE.” There’s also the Drake layer to consider. Drake tried to mock Lamar’s faux-artistic persona on the song “Family Matters” with the lines: “Kendrick just opened his mouth. Someone go hand him a Grammy right now.” It was a meant as a dig, but is now looking more like a reality.
We’re now just days away from the release of Camila Cabello’s upcoming album, C, XOXO. It’s set to drop this Friday, but before that, Cabello has unleashed a preview of “Uuugly,” which is one of two Drake collaborations on the album.
Cabello performed at Rock In Rio Lisboa yesterday (June 23), where she played the interlude track between songs (while bikers did tricks on stage, no less). It’s a brief, atmospheric tune that sees Drake delivering smooth sung vocals.
Camila Cabello just premiered a new solo Drake song “UUGLY” off her album that drops next week called ‘C, XOXO
In a May interview, Cabello talked about working with Drake, saying, “He’s the f*cking GOAT, so it felt like shooting for the stars. I showed him the album when I felt comfortable enough and he really liked it. [The feature] came out of a non-transactional place. He had this idea of a song called ‘Hot Uptown,’ and it just felt like I was in the city. I was in Miami.”
She also spoke about “Uuugly,” saying, “Why does he have his own song? Because selfishly, I just want to hear Drake on my own album [laughs]. I love that for me — it’s like that rebellious mood. Who says I can’t do that? It’s Drake talking his sh*t.”
C, XOXO is out 6/28 via Geffen/Interscope. Find more information here.
The person who coined the phrase, “all you need is love,” didn’t meet Kendrick Lamar. Although the “Euphoria” rapper receives more than enough praises from fans and peers alike, users online have joked that he’s currently running off of his pure hatred of Drake.
Today (June 22), Kendrick was spotted in his hometown Compton, California, reportedly filming a music video for “Not Like Us.”
Despite being filmed in the public, details surrounding the video shoot have remained under wraps. However, if it is anything like his June 19 show, you should expect to see tons of guest cameos from across industries, including the song’s producer Mustard, Kendrick’s former Black Hippy collaborators (Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q), basketball stars LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and DeMar DeRozan, plus so many others.
Of course, none of this has been confirmed, but that hasn’t stopped folks from wishing for it. Users online have also speculated that YG is set to appear in the visual after he posted clips with controversial podcaster Bobbi Althoff in the city.
As of today, the video’s release date hasn’t been shared with the public. But given the speedy turn around of the song, it won’t be vaulted much longer.
Ryan Garcia has managed to make himself incredibly unlikeable in 2024. The boxer has bad outrageous assertions, and tested positive for PEDs before title matches. He somehow managed to combine these two pastimes on June 20. Garcia was suspended from boxing for one year following his second positive PED test. In response, Garcia inexplicably claimed that Drake had XXXTentacion killed. There isn’t more context. The tweet literally reads: “F*ck it Drake killed X.” This made a lot of people mad, and Ski Mask the Slump God was one of them.
Ski Mask the Slump God did not humor Garcia’s claims. Instead, he chastised the boxer and anybody who believed him. “Whoever believe this stupid sh*t,” he tweeted. “Too deep in the YouTube conspiracy rabbit hole. “Go outside touch grass my n**ga.” Ski Mask is known for his outrageous and oftentimes silly rap persona, but he doesn’t play when it comes to XXXTentacion. The rapper was close with X during his lifetime, and they collaborated on multiple songs together. During a Rolling Loud concert in 2022, Ski Mask paid tribute to his friend by posting a message on the background screen. “I wish I told you how much you really meant to me more often,” Ski Mask wrote. “Out of everyone you knew my pride brings me down.”
Things weren’t always friendly between the two rappers, though. Ski Mask the Slump God and X had a falling out in 2017, when the latter refused to give Ski Mask a feature on his album. “My response to the request for the song by Ski is no,” X wrote on Instagram. “I am going to destroy all of these rappers.” Sources close to Ski Mask the Slump God claim they squashed the beef before X died. “What most people don’t know is that they squashed that old thing a long time [ago],” they told Urban Islandz. “They were like brothers again, they both came up in the same hood and went through a lot of sh*t together.”
Ski Mask has made a point of keeping XXXTentacion’s legacy alive. The rapper included X on the song “Jah’s Interlude” from his new album, 11th Dimension. The song is a reworked version of X’s “Hope (Freestyle)” without an instrumental.
(@nojumper)
