Taylor Swift and Kanye West‘s long-standing and tumultuous relationship has resurfaced in the spotlight following a recent mention by West on his new album, Vultures 2. The rapper’s reference to Swift and her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, in the song “Lifestyle” featuring Lil Wayne has ignited discussions among fans and the media. Swift’s dedicated fanbase, known as Swifties, believe that the pop star may have subtly responded to West’s latest jab through her choice of outfit during her Eras Tour.
Kanye West’s highly anticipated album Vultures 2 was finally released after multiple delays. In the track “Lifestyle,” Lil Wayne raps, “I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce,” which many interpret as a nod to Taylor Swift and her relationship with Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Swift and Kelce have been dating since last summer, and their relationship has been flourishing, with engagement rumors swirling.
On August 3, 2024, during her concert in Warsaw, Poland, Taylor Swift wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “I Bet You Think About Me.” This outfit choice has led fans to speculate that it was a direct response to the mention of her and Kelce in West’s song. The phrase is a reference to one of Swift’s songs from her 2021 album Red (Taylor’s Version), which is widely believed to address her longstanding rivalry with West.
One fan took to social media, writing, “She’s so funny for wearing the ‘I Bet You Think About Me’ shirt after Kanye name-dropped her and Travis in his song, an actual comedian.” Another commented, “When I saw the Kanye thing a little bit ago, I knew she was gonna wear it lmao.”
The history between Taylor Swift and Kanye West dates back to 2009 when West famously interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. Their feud reignited in 2016 when West mentioned Swift in his song “Famous,” leading to a highly publicized controversy. Swift later accused Kim Kardashian of attempting to frame her by releasing an edited version of a phone call between her and West discussing the song.
While neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce has officially responded to the name-drop, fans believe Swift’s t-shirt was a strategic move. This isn’t the first time Kanye West has included Swift in his lyrics during his comeback era. In Vultures 1, he rapped about making “six Taylor Swifts,” further fueling the ongoing saga between the two artists.
Taylor Swift’s choice to wear the “I Bet You Think About Me” t-shirt onstage has been seen by many as a subtle yet powerful way to address West’s latest remarks. A fan commented, “She doesn’t need to drop a whole album to shade Kanye, just these small actions can destroy him.”
Outside of the t-shirt, Swift has not officially addressed West’s latest apparent jab. However, her fans are keenly aware of her history of using clever and understated methods to respond to critics and rivals. This latest incident is a testament to Swift’s ability to turn a potentially negative situation into a moment of empowerment and clever artistry.