Kanye West has stirred controversy once again, mentioning Taylor Swift with explicit references in his new track, Carnival. The song, part of his album Vultures 1 released on February 10, includes sexually charged lyrics where West refers to Taylor Swift and uses explicit language. In one line, he claims, “I made six Taylor Swifts,” while other lyrics mock the #MeToo movement, comparing himself to R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, and Puff Daddy, all of whom have faced sexual misconduct allegations.
Taylor Swift fans reacted swiftly, expressing outrage on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where they defended the singer and condemned Kanye’s lyrics.
A Long History of Feud
The tension between Kanye West and Taylor Swift dates back to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) when Kanye interrupted Taylor’s acceptance speech, arguing that Beyoncé deserved the award. This sparked a public feud that has resurfaced repeatedly over the years.
In 2016, Kanye’s song Famous included the controversial lyric, “I feel like me and Taylor could have sex. Why? Because I made that b**** famous.” He later claimed that Taylor approved the lyrics; however, she denied this, saying she hadn’t agreed to be called a “b****.” Kanye’s then-wife, Kim Kardashian, later released a video showing a conversation between Kanye and Taylor, in which she seemed to approve certain lyrics. Yet, the word “b****” was not mentioned, leading Taylor to argue that the song was misleading and that the video was selectively edited.
Fallout and Public Reaction
Following this controversy, Taylor faced significant backlash, with some media outlets branding her as a “snake.” This period, she later revealed, took a toll on her mental health. In a 2023 Time interview, she shared the impact of the public backlash: “My career felt stripped away. I was more mentally broken than ever before. I moved away, stayed home for nearly a year, avoiding people and isolating myself out of mistrust.”
Taylor reflected on this experience, concluding, “There’s no point in trying to defeat the enemy. Trash always sorts itself out.”
The saga surrounding Famous and the ensuing media fallout fueled Taylor’s 2017 hit Look What You Made Me Do, which many interpreted as a direct response to Kanye and Kim.
Kanye West: A Complex Legacy
At 48, Kanye West remains both an influential and polarizing figure in American music and pop culture. Over his career, he has won 24 Grammy Awards and made significant strides in the fashion world. Known for his boundary-pushing music, Kanye’s influence extends beyond rap, though his public persona has often sparked controversy. He is also known for his 2020 presidential run and his marriage to Kim Kardashian, which lasted from 2014 to 2022.
Taylor Swift’s Rise to Stardom
Taylor Swift, 35, continues to be a powerhouse in the music industry. Rising to fame with her country music debut in 2006, she has since transitioned into pop, earning 14 Grammy Awards and 29 Billboard Awards over her career. With her Eras tour sweeping across the globe and her re-recorded albums, including Fearless, Red, and 1989, she has cemented her legacy and even achieved billionaire status.
This ongoing feud between Kanye West and Taylor Swift has evolved into a high-profile story within American pop culture, illustrating the complexities of fame, personal relationships, and the influence of media on public perception. For fans and critics alike, each new development adds another chapter to the long-standing, dramatic history between these two artists.
