Drake’s lawyers say Highstack used the rapper’s name, image and persona without his knowledge.
Two of Drake’s managers acknowledged holding passive investments in Highstack but denied being founders.
A pitch deck reviewed by Coffeezilla featured an AI-generated Drake-themed slot.
Drake has denied any involvement with an AI-powered crypto casino that allegedly used his image and reputation to promote its platform to potential investors.
Investigative YouTuber Coffeezilla revealed that the rapper’s lawyers had issued an immediate cease-and-desist letter to Highstack, a platform proposing AI-generated casino games based on celebrities.
According to Coffeezilla, Highstack’s pitch materials included a Drake-inspired slot game and repeatedly suggested that people within the Canadian artist’s management team were founding partners in the business.
Drake’s legal team rejected those claims, alleging that Highstack used Aubrey Drake Graham’s “name, photograph, likeness and persona” without his knowledge.
AI Casino Deck Touted the ‘Drake Effect’
Highstack described itself in the materials as an “AI-native entertainment platform” where players and brands can shape casino games together.
The project reportedly intended to offer a ChatGPT-style prompt interface through which creators could produce personalized games within minutes.
One demonstration shown by Coffeezilla featured an AI-generated version of Drake alongside a slot called “Drake’s Dynasty.”
Other slides referenced celebrities including MrBeast, Lando Norris, Matt Damon and Floyd Mayweather.
The presentation placed particular emphasis on Drake, declaring: “If he builds it, they will come.”
It claimed that a partnership with the rapper would provide Highstack with an “immediate, insurmountable competitive advantage.”
The deck also claimed that Drake generated more than 500,000 first-time deposits during the first year of his partnership with the crypto casino Stake.
Drake’s lawyers called that claim false and said the presentation attributed unauthorized statements and figures to him.
Drake Managers Admit Passive Investments
Highstack’s materials also reportedly described Adel “Future the Prince” Nur and David Bolno as founding partners.
Nur is closely associated with Drake’s management team, while Bolno has worked as the rapper’s business manager.
However, a second cease-and-desist letter obtained by Coffeezilla disputed Highstack’s characterization of their roles.
Lawyers representing Nur and Bolno acknowledged that the pair held passive investments in the company but said this represented the full extent of their involvement.
“Our clients do not dispute they hold a passive investment in Highstack, but that’s the totality of their involvement,” the letter reportedly stated.
The managers denied being founding partners or having an operational role.
Their lawyers also rejected any suggestion that they had authorized Highstack to use their relationship with Drake to promote the project.
Coffeezilla questioned how Highstack came to produce such Drake-focused marketing materials while two of his managers were investors.
However, he stressed that both Drake and his managers denied the presentation’s claims about their involvement.
Did Highstack Quietly Remove Drake References?
Coffeezilla also found indications that Highstack may have begun removing direct references to Drake before the cease-and-desist letters were issued.
A character resembling the rapper in the original slot demonstration appeared to have been replaced by a coat-wearing yeti on Highstack’s public-facing website.
The original “Iceman” concept was renamed “Ice Beast.”
Highstack’s materials also reportedly included speaker notes claiming the project began after a conversation about Drake being unhappy with Stake and his search for an alternative platform.
Drake’s lawyers denied that he authorized or participated in the Highstack project.
The rapper also continues to maintain a public relationship with Stake.
The crypto gambling company still describes him as a brand ambassador and recently promoted a $1 million Drake giveaway.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
