A viral diss track that many assumed featured Kendrick Lamar's vocals has been revealed as an AI creation, stirring fresh debate over the use of synthetic voices in music. The track, titled “Freestyle,” circulated widely on social media this week, adding fuel to the long-running rivalry between Lamar and Drake.
On Thursday, a 23-year-old musician who goes by Sly the Rapper told Complex that he produced the song using an AI tool called Jammable, formerly known as Voicify AI. He said he expected listeners to recognize the track as artificial, but instead, it convinced a broad audience that it was authentic Lamar material.
“I thought people were going to know that it was AI,” Sly said. “Although it did sound real, it sounded like an old version of Kendrick Lamar.” He added that the dated style should have been a giveaway, but it wasn't.
The revelation comes amid an escalating public feud between Lamar and Drake. Just a day after the AI track surfaced, Drake released the studio version of “Push Ups,” a diss track aimed at Lamar. The AI-generated addition has only deepened the confusion surrounding their dispute.
This is not the first time AI-generated vocals have caused a stir. Last year, a song that used AI to mimic Drake and The Weeknd went viral, prompting Universal Music Group to demand that streaming platforms remove it. That incident highlighted the legal and ethical challenges posed by synthetic voice replication.
Sly's admission underscores how accessible AI voice cloning has become. Jammable allows users to create AI covers in seconds, and a quick search on its site reveals multiple user-uploaded models designed to imitate Lamar's voice. Even YouTube has announced a feature called “Dream Features,” which would let users generate songs using licensed voices of artists like Demi Lovato, John Legend, and Troye Sivan.
Proof and Mixed Feelings
Despite initial skepticism, Sly provided Complex with timestamped videos and audio files, including isolated tracks, to back his claim. His feelings about the technology are nuanced. “A lot of people are scared of AI, rightfully so,” he said. “I understand where the fear comes from, but AI isn't as advanced as people think that it is.” He noted that AI still struggles to mimic cadences and emotions.
The incident raises practical questions about authenticity and consent in music. While AI tools offer creative possibilities, they also blur the line between real and fabricated performances, complicating copyright enforcement and artist rights. As the technology improves, the music industry faces mounting pressure to address these challenges.
For now, the AI-generated diss track stands as a case study in how quickly synthetic media can spread—and how easily it can deceive.
