Billboard magazine has ignited controversy by naming Taylor Swift the second most prominent pop star of the 21st century in its list of the top 25 artists of this era. The selection has already sparked discussion among music enthusiasts, but the real uproar stemmed from the video created to honor her legacy, which included a segment referencing Kanye West’s provocative track ‘Famous’.
The clip featured scenes from West’s 2016 music video, displaying a wax figure of a nude Swift, alongside the line: “I feel like Taylor and I might still have sex / Why? I made that bitch famous”. This remark, previously criticized as misogynistic, reignited tensions between the fans of both artists, reviving a longstanding media conflict.
Billboard issues an apology
Fans of Swift were quick to criticize the inclusion of such content in a tribute meant to celebrate her accomplishments. Many deemed it “offensive” and a “disgrace”. On social media, the hashtags #BillboardIsOverParty and #BillboardApologizeToTaylor began to trend rapidly.