In the world of music, the line between inspiration and imitation is often razor-thin. Recently, Darrin Jones, an emerging artist known for his unique sound and creative vision, has raised compelling questions about originality in the industry. At the heart of the debate is Jones’s 2023 track “Make Sure” and the striking similarities it seems to share with “Timeless,” a collaboration between The Weeknd and Playboi Carti released in 2024.
Fans and industry insiders have pointed out that “Timeless” appears to echo key elements of Jones’s work, from lyrical themes to visual motifs. On Twitter, Jones highlighted the similarities, noting that Carti’s opening lines in “Timeless” bear a remarkable resemblance to his own lyrics. The cadence, tone, and even specific phrases like “let’s go” and references to “the sky” have sparked discussions about whether these are coincidences or signs of a deeper issue.
The connections don’t stop at the music. Promotional photos for “Timeless” mirror poses Jones used in his visuals for “Make Sure.” Live performances and music videos for “Timeless” also feature mannerisms and styles uncannily similar to Jones’s. These observations have led fans to question where the line is drawn between paying homage and outright copying.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Playboi Carti reportedly reached out to Jones during the pandemic, suggesting he was aware of Jones’s music. Furthermore, a producer associated with both artists worked on Jones’s 2023 track, deepening the suspicion that elements of “Make Sure” may have been consciously or subconsciously integrated into “Timeless.”
Even Jones’s campaigns and album rollout strategies seem to have found echoes in the work of Opium, Playboi Carti’s collective. Fans are pointing to past incidents where members of the collective have drawn from Jones’s creative playbook, reinforcing the idea that this may not be an isolated case.
On social media, Jones has remained composed but firm, stating:
“While ‘Timeless’ is a nice lil song, the similarities to ‘Make Sure’ raise important questions about artistic integrity. Are we looking at genuine influence or something more direct? The debate continues.”
This debate extends beyond the artists themselves to their labels and teams. Some fans believe Republic Records and Universal Music Group owe Jones recognition and possibly compensation. Others see the situation as part of a broader conversation about the power dynamics in the industry, where smaller artists often struggle to protect their work against giants.
Ultimately, the question boils down to one of intent: Was “Timeless” influenced by “Make Sure,” or is this a case of parallel creativity? While the audience debates, the music industry must grapple with the implications of such disputes, where the stakes include not just credit but also integrity and trust.
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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Dam they really took that steez from young bro and ran wit it even copied the photography style
Hell yea they swagger jacked that shit
They’ve clearly been taking inspiration from Darrin’s music and his whole situation..wow
Sounds very similar…not sure if borrowing or they just come up with similar song choices