American rapper, singer and songwriter, Kanye West is back in the headlines, stirring controversy with his latest album, “Vultures.” During a listening party, the rapper sparked outrage by name-dropping Taylor Swift in his song “Carnival,” reigniting their decade-long feud.
The line, “Now I’m Ye Kelly, b**** / Now I’m Bill Cosby, b**** / Now I’m Puff Daddy rich / That’s Me Too rich,” drew immediate criticism for its insensitive comparisons and apparent mockery of the #MeToo movement. Notably, the lyric “Ye Kelly” seemingly references R. Kelly, a convicted sex offender.
He further targeted Swift, rapping, “I mean since Taylor Swift, since I had a Rollie on the wrist / I’m the new Jesus, b**** / I turned water into Kris / This for what they did to Chris / They can’t do s*** with this.” This verse echoes the 2009 MTV VMAs incident where West infamously interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech, igniting a highly publicized feud.
While the details of their conflict remain contested, Swift addressed the lasting impact in a recent interview, mentioning the “illegally recorded phone call” edited by Kim Kardashian and the toll it took on her mental health.
West’s lyrics sparked outrage online, with many condemning his insensitivity and disrespect towards individuals impacted by sexual assault. Critics argue that using their names for shock value trivializes their experiences and perpetuates harmful narratives.
However, some defended his artistic expression, highlighting his history of using provocative lyrics to address social issues. They argue that interpreting his work solely through the lens of personal conflicts misses deeper meanings.
The feud between Kanye West and Taylor Swift stretches back to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. During Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video, West famously interrupted her onstage, claiming Beyonce deserved the award instead. This sparked a media frenzy and public backlash against West.
Years later, in 2016, West released the song “Famous” containing the lyric “I feel like I and Taylor might still have sex,” which he claimed Swift approved beforehand. Swift denied this, leading to a public feud further fueled by Kim Kardashian leaking a seemingly edited phone call between West and Swift. The controversy caused significant negative attention to Swift, leading her to retreat from the spotlight for a period.
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