Kanye West baffles fans as he smiles while playing Taylor Swift track during NYE DJ set in viral clip

MALDIVES, MALE: Rapper Kanye West (known as Ye) played Taylor Swift's famous song 'Shake It Off' as part of his surprise DJ set for the all-ages crowd at a New Year's Eve party in the Maldives.

A viral video clip from December 31, Tuesday, showed West enjoying Swift's 'Shake It Off' while performing as a DJ in the Maldives. West briefly played Swift's song before launching into his own smash hit 'Carnivals' from 'Vultures 1', per HipHopDX.

Kanye West plays Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' on New Year's Eve

Using Taylor Swift's and Kanye West's names in the same sentence may seem surprising, but this has happened because the rapper, who used to detest the pop star, was recently seen grooving to one of her famous songs in Maldives with his wife.

Given their contentious past, the rapper's change of heart seems unexpected. West perhaps could not ignore the popularity of Swift's appealing tunes any longer.

The rapper was also seen swaying to other classics, such as Bon Jovi's 'Living On A Prayer' and a different rendition of 'Ain't No Mountain High,' while chatting with children near the DJ booth. Dressed in all-black, West appeared to be in a good mood while smiling and singing along to the songs.

In September 2009, West famously cut Swift during her acceptance speech at the MTV VMAs.

Swift won the Best Female Video award for her song 'You Belong With Me'. West grabbed the microphone away from Swift during her victory speech, saying, "Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I'mma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time."

However, West apologized to Swift on 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' the day after the VMAs.

"It's actually someone's emotions that I stepped on. It was very, it was rude, period. I'd like to be able to apologize to her in person," West said at that time, per People.

Swift stated in the same month that West's gesture on stage "rattled" her and that the rapper had contacted her to apologize. "Kanye did call me and he was very sincere in his apology, and I accepted that apology," she told ABC Radio in 2009. 

This incident marked the beginning of the infamous feud between the two artists. Over the years, the two have traded jabs publicly.

Fans baffled as Kanye West kicks off 2025 with Taylor Swift's song

A video of Kanye West playing Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' at a Maldives party was shared on X (formerly Twitter). Fans said West had a "malicious smile" as he appeared to be enjoying the music.

One user wrote, "Kanye playing Shake It Off was not on my 2025 bucket list."

A second user added, "Kanye playing Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off then immediately switches to his track Carnival."

"This are the so called "haters" of taylor yet played her songs out loud in the room when alone," chimed in another.

One user remarked, "This dude really is a genius man, the transition is out of this world and also comedic given the history of the two artists."

"Notice how he wouldnt have this post without having to bring taylor into it?" noted one.

Another said, "What's the real reason for his obsession with Taylor? It's been 16 years."

"This just proves Shake It Off is the only Taylor Swift song that Kanye knows. There are only three Swifties who will actively press play on Shake It Off," one added.

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