The Roots of Hatred: Exploring the Causes of Intolerance and Bigotry”
Being the No. 1 artist in the world, Taylor Swift has had to contend with the negative intentions of many other A-list celebrities to continue advancing her career. Much of her success stems from her ability to rise above these challenges and protect her legacy.
One of her most notable battles began in 2009 at the MTV Video Music Awards when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video. He took the stage and claimed that Beyoncé had ‘one of the best videos of all time,’ overshadowing Swift’s achievement.
More than a decade later, their feud remains very much alive, with both artists taking jabs at each other on various occasions. Now, in his latest release, Vultures 2, Kanye West has chosen to reignite the conflict.
What did Kanye West said about Taylor in Vultures 2?
It’s well-known that Kanye West has a sharp tongue for disses, and his latest release, Vultures 2, only reinforces that reputation. From Drake to Kim Kardashian, Kanye has shown that no one is off-limits, and Taylor Swift was no exception.
Taylor is mentioned in the track “LIFESTYLE,” but the reference is somewhat indirect. Rather than Kanye himself, it’s his collaborator Ty Dolla $ign—part of the hip-hop supergroup ¥$—who mentions her.
The line in question is: ‘I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce.’ Although it’s not a direct diss, Kanye’s use of Taylor’s name alongside Travis Kelce’s seems intended to provoke and gain attention, which has infuriated her fans.
This frustration was further fueled by Kanye’s Instagram rant on February 14, 2024, where he taunted Swift’s fans, suggesting they prepare for Lil Wayne’s verse on Vultures 2 because it was going to be heavy. Swifties believe Kanye’s indirect approach reflects a lack of courage to confront her more directly and view the line as a sign of humiliation.
Plus, Taylor’s response came rapidly. Known for making strategic moves to impact the charts, she announced a digital version of The Tortured Poets Department with a bonus track, “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” (First Draft Phone Memo), on the same day Vultures 2 dropped. Fans speculate this move was aimed at overshadowing Kanye and reclaiming the spotlight, keeping the feud very much alive.
