Why Taylor Swift and Ice Spice’s “Karma” Remix Is Surrounded By Controversy Involving Matty Healy

Two of the biggest women in music have teamed up for a potential song of the summer contender. This time, it’s Taylor Swift and meteoric up-and-coming rapper Ice Spice joining hands to deliver a remix of Swift’s “Midnights” track, “Karma,” which has steadily been gaining traction on the radio, rising to No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 after debuting on the chart in November 2022.

In an interview with Spotify about the remix, Swift revealed that the collab came about naturally because she and Ice Spice were both fans of one another. “She reached out through her team, just kind of saying, ‘Hey, Ice has been a big fan of Taylor’s since she was a little kid, would love to collaborate if that was ever something that came about.’ And I had been listening to her nonstop. . . . So I immediately got her number and said, ‘Hey, would you wanna do your version of ‘Karma’? Do you relate to this?’ So she jumped in headfirst.”

Swift praised Ice Spice as an artist, adding, “Getting to know her has been so special because I am blown away by her. In my opinion, she’s the one to watch. Watching her work ethic and how thoughtfully she approaches her career, she’s like my new favorite artist, and I’m so honored that she’s on the song.”

One elephant in the room that will seemingly go unaddressed is that Swift’s rumored new boyfriend, Matty Healy of The 1975, has been embroiled in controversy for comments he made about the “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2” rapper.

What Happened With Ice Spice and Matty Healy?

During his appearance on “The Adam Friedland Show” in February, Healy mentioned he had messaged with Ice Spice on Instagram. Hosts Friedland and Nick Mullen responded by going on a tirade of racist insults about Ice Spice, calling her an “Inuit Spice Girl” and a “chubby Chinese lady” before mocking Chinese and Hawaiian accents, to nothing but laughter from Healy.

Fellow English alt-rock artist Yungblud seemingly called Healy, Friedland, and Mullen out for their behavior on Twitter on Feb. 11, writing, “Love listening to three privileged white dudes sit around and objectify a young Black female artist who’s blowing up.” But Healy didn’t seem repentant, instead responding with an Instagram video rant making fun of the artist.

Come April, however, Healy had changed his tune, apologizing to Ice Spice during a performance in Auckland, New Zealand. “I never meant to hurt anybody,” he said (via Twitter). “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you and, Ice Spice, I’m sorry. It’s not because I’m annoyed that me joking got misconstrued, it’s cause I don’t want Ice Spice to think I’m a d*ck. I love you, Ice Spice. I’m so sorry. I don’t want anything to be misconstrued as mean. I don’t mind being a bit of a joker . . . but I don’t want to be perceived as mean-hearted.”

Taylor Swift and Ice Spice’s “Karma” Remix Meaning

Swift’s “Karma” is all about… well, karma — the idea that one’s actions will decide their fate. On the track, Swift uses the euphemism, “I keep my side of the street clean,” meaning she tries to make good choices in life so she can feel confident that karma is on her side, while those who stand against her cannot. “Karma’s a relaxing thought, aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?” she sings in the chorus.

The song seems to take on new layers in light of Healy’s controversial appearance on “The Adam Friedland Show” and Ice Spice’s involvement, whether intentional or not.

Ice Spice has yet to address Healy’s comments or his apology directly. Still, some fans think she may have subtly (and fittingly) gotten her lick back in her “Karma” remix verse, rapping at one point, “Got you wavin’ pretty white flags, feenin’ for that cash, thinkin’ it’ll save ya, now you switchin’ up your behavior. It’s okay, baby, you ain’t gotta worry, karma never gets lazy, so I keep my head up, my bread up.” It’s worth noting, however, that it’s unclear when Swift and Ice Spice actually recorded this collaboration, and whether or not Swift or the rapper were aware of Healy’s appearance on “The Adam Friedland Show” at that time.

Ahead, check out Swift and Ice Spice’s “Karma” remix and read the song’s lyrics, then decide for yourself what they mean.

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Taylor Swift and Ice Spice’s “Karma” Remix Lyrics

INTRO (Ice Spice)
Karma is that girl, like

VERSE 1 (Swift)
You’re talking sh*t for the hell of it
Addicted to betrayal, but you’re relevant
You’re terrified to look down
‘Cause if you dare, you’ll see the glare
Of everyone you burned just to get there
It’s comin’ back around

PRE-CHORUS (Swift)
And I keep my side of the street clean
You wouldn’t know what I mean

CHORUS (Swift)
‘Cause karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Karma’s a relaxing thought
Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap ’cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that

VERSE 2 (Ice Spice)
Karma is your check’s ’boutta bounce
Karma is the fire in your house
And she ’boutta pop up unannounced
And she never leavin’ you alone
Watch her put ya opps on a throne

Got you wavin’ pretty white flags, feenin’ for that cash
Thinkin’ it’ll save ya, now you switchin’ up your behavior
It’s okay, baby, you ain’t gotta worry, karma never gets lazy

So, I keep my head up, my bread up, I won’t let up
Promise that you’ll never endeavor with none lesser
I be draggin’ that wagon, karma is a beauty winning that pageant, grrah

CHORUS (Swift)
‘Cause karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Karma’s a relaxing thought
Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap ’cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that

BRIDGE (Swift & Ice Spice)
Ask me what I learned from all those years
Ask me what I earned from all those tears
Ask me why so many fade, but I’m still here
(I’m still here, I’m still here)

‘Cause karma is the thunder
Rattlin’ your ground
Karma’s on your scent like a bounty hunter
And karma’s gonna track you down
Step by step, from town to town
Sweet like justice, karma is a queen
Karma takes all my friends to the summit
Karma is the guy on the screen
Coming straight home to me

CHORUS (Swift)
‘Cause karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Karma’s a relaxing thought
Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap ’cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that

OUTRO (Swift & Ice Spice)
Karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a god
Karma is my bestie
Karma’s a relaxing thought
Karma’s gonna hold you down