Kanye West is facing backlash for including controversial lyrics about Taylor Swift in a song from his latest album, "Vultures, Volume 1."
The track, titled "Carnival," has ignited criticism from Swift's fans, who accuse the 46-year-old rapper of being obsessed and stuck in the past.
The song contains explicit lyrics that fans argue objectify the 34-year-old pop star. Swifties, as her fans are known, have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure, with many calling out West for his continuous problematic behavior towards Swift.
Comments from netizens range from accusations of obsession to criticisms of West seeking attention and fame at Swift's expense.
"Isn't Kanye tired of being problematic? I'm sick of him tbh," one user expressed, while another lamented, "Kanye has really been harassing Taylor since she was 19 years old. When will it stop?"
This isn't the first time West has mentioned Swift in his music; he previously referenced her in his 2016 track "Famous."
The feud between West and Swift dates back to the 2009 MTV VMAs, where West infamously interrupted Swift's acceptance speech. The incident marked the beginning of a long-standing public dispute between the two, further fueled by the "Famous" controversy.
In that track, West suggested he made Swift famous, a claim she found offensive. The ensuing conflict included a leaked phone call, purportedly showing Swift approving the lyrics; which Swift contested, stating that she never consented to being called derogatory names.
In an interview with TIME magazine in December 2023, after being honoured as Person of the Year, Swift reflected on the profound impact the feud, particularly the "Famous" controversy, had on her career and mental health.
She described feeling like her career had been snatched away from her due to a "fully manufactured frame job" involving an illegally recorded phone call that Kim Kardashian, West's then-wife, publicly released in an edited form to portray Swift as a liar.
This episode, according to Swift, led to one of the lowest points in her life, forcing her into isolation.
Despite the public fallout and the personal toll, it took on her, Swift emphasized the importance of moving forward without seeking revenge, noting, "Trash takes itself out every single time."