Ye, formerly Kanye West, surprised fans and partygoers with an unexpected nod to Taylor Swift during a New Year’s Eve celebration in the Maldives.
Taking the stage for an impromptu DJ set, West played Swift’s chart-topping hit “Shake It Off,” blending it seamlessly into his own track “Carnival” from Vultures 1. The festive crowd, which included guests of all ages, danced along as West later transitioned into Bon Jovi’s anthem, “Living on a Prayer.”
Throughout the night, Ye appeared in high spirits, singing along to his setlist and sharing smiles with children who gathered near the DJ booth. The rare gesture of goodwill toward Swift added an intriguing twist to their complicated history, which has seen its fair share of tension and subtle provocations over the years.
Last summer, the long-standing rivalry between the two artists reignited when Swift appeared to reference Ye in the title stylization of a live track from her album The Tortured Poets Department. In a move many interpreted as a playful jab, Swift capitalized the letters “Y” and “E” in the title “thank You aimEe,” seemingly alluding to Kanye’s nickname. A previous version of the title highlighted the letters “KIM,” which fans speculated was a nod to Kanye’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian.
Their latest chart battle added another chapter to this ongoing saga. In August, Taylor Swift reclaimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 with The Tortured Poets Department, preventing West’s Vultures 2—a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign—from debuting at No. 1. Swift’s album, in its 14th week, earned 142,000 equivalent units compared to the 107,000 units accumulated by Ye’s release during its opening week. This marked a significant moment in West’s career, as Vultures 2 became his first project since 2004’s The College Dropout not to debut at the top of the chart.
Despite the competitive dynamic, West’s New Year’s Eve set hinted at a lighter tone, offering a rare glimpse of reconciliation—or perhaps just a playful reminder of their storied connection. Whether a genuine homage or an ironic twist, the moment left fans speculating about what’s next in this ever-evolving narrative between two of music’s most influential figures.
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