Kanye West has denied rumors that Taylor Swift had him removed from the Super Bowl. In a long Instagram post (rant?), West wrote, in all caps, “To all Taylor Swift fans I’m not your enemy. Uuum I’m not your friend either though LOL.”
He wrote that Swift and Beyoncé are “big inspirations to all musicians.” “I’m sure I’ve been far more helpful to Taylor Swift’s career than harmful,” West wrote, adding, “Remember I was on Taylor’s side when Scooter bought her masters behind her back.”
The rapper went on to explain that he wasn’t kicked out of the Super Bowl, as many have speculated online. “We left our seats to go to YG’s box and see different friends,” he wrote. “My wife [Bianca Censori] had never been to a Super Bowl so I wanted to walk around and have a nice time. We had such a fun day.”
Elsewhere in the post, West offered an explanation for why Swift is name-checked in his recent song “Carnival.” “When I said that I’m the new Jesus bitch I wasn’t even thinking about Taylor Swift,” West wrote. “That was a whole line before but I appreciate the free promo. Lil Wayne actually mentions Travis [Kelce] on Vultures 2. This album is actually super positive and fun it’s all about triumphant.”
West and Ty Dolla $ign released the first part of their joint LP, Vultures, earlier this month. Two more parts will follow on March 8 and April 5. West premiered the album at a party in Miami during Art Basel in December. The rapper debuted single “Vultures” on Power 92 Chicago in late November and faced controversy for rapping, “How I’m antisemitic, I just fucked a Jewish bitch,” referring to his remarks about Jewish people over the last year.
He apologized for his antisemitic comments in another Instagram post in December. “It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” West wrote in Hebrew. “I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
West has since faced more controversy for his use of uncleared samples on the LP. Ozzy Osbourne blasted the rapper for use a Black Sabbath sample on “Carnival,” leading West to remove it from the track. He was also accused of using Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” without permission.