Kanye West, in collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, dropped their highly anticipated album Vultures 2 on Saturday, August 3. Among the standout tracks, “Lifestyle,” featuring Lil Wayne, has ignited a firestorm of reactions, particularly from Taylor Swift’s fanbase.
In his verse, Lil Wayne includes a provocative line referencing both Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: “Codeine and cocaine, that’s Lisa Turtle when it’s Kelly / Ice up in my veins, old flames tryna melt me / I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce.” The mention of Swift has elicited a strong backlash, despite the fact that it is Lil Wayne, not Kanye West, who delivers the verse.
Swift’s supporters have been vocal about their discontent. One fan suggested that Swift could counter the mention by releasing digital versions of her songs to overshadow Kanye’s release: “Taylor can do the funniest thing possible and release Digital Versions of TTPD to block his @–.”
Another fan expressed a deeper sentiment, remarking, “The obsession Taylor was truly his dream girl even during 2 marriages.” Meanwhile, a different supporter exclaimed, “Taylor Swift is the standard! Like every single person name drops her for clout!”
This recent mention is not an isolated incident. Kanye West has previously referenced Taylor Swift in his music. Notably, his 2016 track “Famous” included controversial lyrics: “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b—- famous (Godd—) / I made that b—- famous.” The accompanying music video, which depicted wax figures of various celebrities in compromising positions, including Swift, further fueled the controversy.
In a possible response to this latest provocation, Taylor Swift subtly addressed the issue during her Red set at a recent concert at the PGE Narodowy stadium in Warsaw. Swift wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “I Bet You Think About Me,” which fans speculate may be a nod to Kanye’s recent lyrical mention.
As the fallout continues, it’s clear that Kanye West’s lyrical choices have once again stirred the pot, reigniting old tensions and sparking new debates among fans and critics alike.