Ye’s Unexpected Social Media Gesture
Kanye West has once again stirred the internet with a bold social media move, unfollowing everyone on Instagram except for one person—Taylor Swift. The rapper, known for his unpredictable behavior, made the surprising change just days before the 2025 Grammy Awards. Fans immediately took notice, reigniting discussions about his long and complicated history with the pop superstar.
On Saturday, Kanye posted a screenshot of his following list, making it clear that Swift was the only account he had chosen to keep. By Sunday, he had also followed a private account named @eylulrhyme, adding another layer of mystery to his social media activity. The timing of this move raised eyebrows, especially given his Grammy nomination for Carnival in the Best Rap Song category.
This unexpected follow came just before Kanye shared a celebratory post about his nomination. “Thank you to the Grammies [sic] for nominating Carnival,” he wrote alongside an image of a Grammy trophy, tagging Taylor Swift, Ty Dolla Sign, Playboi Carti, Rich the Kid, and the Recording Academy. While some fans saw this as a playful moment, others speculated that Kanye had a deeper motive.
A Complicated History Between Kanye and Taylor
The relationship between Kanye West and Taylor Swift has been anything but simple. Their infamous feud began in 2009 at the MTV Video Music Awards when Kanye stormed the stage during Taylor’s acceptance speech, declaring that Beyoncé had “one of the best videos of all time.” While Swift initially forgave Kanye, tensions resurfaced years later with his controversial Famous lyrics.
In the 2016 song, Kanye rapped about Taylor, claiming, “I made that b**** famous.” The rapper insisted that Swift had approved the lyrics, but she publicly denied it. The situation escalated when his then-wife, Kim Kardashian, released an edited phone call that appeared to support Kanye’s claims. Taylor later revealed in a 2023 Time interview that the backlash she faced from that moment felt like a “career death” and contributed to a significant shift in how she navigated the industry.
While Swift has largely moved on, she seemed to address the past drama in her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department, with fans speculating that the track thanK you aIMee was a pointed reference to Kim Kardashian. Despite Kanye’s recent social media gesture, sources close to Taylor have made it clear that she’s not looking back.
What’s Kanye’s Endgame?
Given his history of erratic social media behavior, many fans are questioning what Kanye hopes to achieve by following Taylor Swift right before the Grammys. Some believe it’s a strategic move for attention, while others see it as an olive branch, possibly signaling his desire to mend past wounds. However, considering the years of public conflict, Taylor is unlikely to engage.
Kanye has a history of using controversy to his advantage, often making headlines ahead of major music events. Whether it’s intentional marketing or a personal statement, his actions continue to spark curiosity and speculation. With Carnival nominated for a Grammy and Taylor up for six awards, his decision to follow her could be his way of staying in the conversation surrounding the biggest night in music.
At this point, Taylor’s camp has not responded, and given her past remarks about Kanye, it’s unlikely she will acknowledge his actions. According to a source who spoke to Us Weekly in April 2024, “Taylor has moved on and is not looking back.” Whether Kanye’s latest move is a publicity stunt or something more meaningful, it’s clear that their long-standing narrative continues to captivate fans worldwide.