Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, TV personalities Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, rapper Kanye West and TV personality Kris Jenner in the audience during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. John Shearer/Getty Images[/caption]
The internet was abuzz with reactions to a video released via Snapchat earlier this week by reality star Kim Kardashian that showed her rapper husband Kanye West allegedly speaking with singer Taylor Swift on speakerphone from his recording studio. The leak in question—which contains snippets of a conversation in which Swift seems to approve lyrics referencing her in West’s song “Famous”— complicated a storied feud between Swift and West. It generated further debate among their respective fans and emphasized Kardashian’s role in the controversy.
Social media platforms have been the main stage for this installment of long-running drama between the two musicians that began emphatically at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when West famously interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech to praise Beyoncé. Despite a series of very public ups and downs, which at one point saw the two parties apparently reconcile, Swift has publicly condemned the lyrics from West’s latest album The Life of Pablo in which West takes credit for Swift’s fame and refers to her using a derogatory word.
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Recording artists Kanye West, Taylor Swift and TV personality Kim Kardashian during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Jeff Kravitz/MTV1415/FilmMagic[/caption]
The controversy drawing public attention now lies in the apparent contradiction between Swift’s public and private reactions to the song’s opening lyrics. In the video that Swift claimed was recorded without her knowledge, the singer seems to cordially assure West to “go with whatever line [he thinks] is better” after hearing the song’s opening. She added that the lyric would be “obviously very tongue-in-cheek either way.” But in public Swift denounced the lyric as disrespectful, most notably in her acceptance speech at the 2016 Grammys, when she encouraged young women to reclaim their accomplishments from would-be detractors.
When Kardashian previously threatened to release the recorded conversation Swift claimed no such conversation took place. After Kardashian brought this evidence to the public’s attention—in a cascade of cross-promotion between Twitter, Snapchat and her TV reality show on Monday—Swift posted an iOS Notes app screenshot on Instagram explaining that she had not technically approved the entire lyric, specifically decrying the chauvinistic language of the second line, and calling the video a “character assassination.”
Fans loyal to both camps were quick to take sides as they’ve done throughout this seven year feud. Kardashian’s strategic rebuttal has garnered major coverage on social media and in the news, with fans publically sharing their allegiances and reporters breaking down the possible legal repercussions.
This row is just the latest to transpire on social media between celebrities and their fans. Keep up with the latest on Kardashian/West vs. Swift and the other celebrity controversies making waves through these Flipboard Magazines and topics.
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Taylor Swift, Jay Z, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West attend The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Mazur/WireImage[/caption]
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Kim Kardashian: This socialite turned reality TV star turned businesswoman is one of the most talked about women in the world. Learn more about her rise and what keeps her on top.
