Fans were taken aback by Kendrick Lamar’s subtle retaliation to Drake’s Taylor Swift references, sparking a frenzy of reactions across social media. Drake, known for once declaring Swift the only artist worthy of delaying an album release, surprisingly invoked her name in his diss against Lamar.

Drake, Lamar, and J.Cole have been entangled in a fierce rap feud, escalating with back-to-back diss tracks dropped on May 3. However, amidst the lyrical warfare, Lamar’s “6:16 in LA” triggered unexpected jokes among fans, suggesting the rappers were vying for Swift’s favor.

While Swift has never collaborated with Drake, Lamar was featured in her “Bad Blood” music video in 2015. Drake, on the other hand, praised Swift in his track “Red Button,” acknowledging her influence in delaying album releases. Ironically, Drake later criticized Lamar for potentially mimicking the same tactic.

Drake’s diss track, “Push Ups,” mocked Lamar’s collaboration with Swift, insinuating that Lamar and his company, pgLang, would hesitate to release new music around Swift’s album drop. Drake’s lyrics hinted at Swift’s alleged influence in scheduling releases, leading to jokes among fans about the rappers competing for Swift’s attention.

Here are just some of the song’s lyrics:

The first one really only took me an hour or two

The next one is really ’bout to bring out the coward in you

But now we gotta wait a fuckin’ week ’cause Taylor Swift is your new Top

And if you ’bout to drop, she gotta approve

This girl really ’bout to make you act like you not in a feud

She tailor-made your schedule with Ant, you out of the loop

Hate all you corporate industry puppets, I’m not in the mood

Lamar’s retaliation came in the form of “Euphoria,” a six-minute track that intensified the feud. Produced by Swift’s longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, Lamar’s move added layers to the rivalry. Fans speculated on the symbolism, with some suggesting Lamar’s track was “Taylor Made” for Swift’s supporters.

Fans flooded social media platforms with memes and reactions, interpreting Lamar’s association with Antonoff as a strategic move in the feud. Some jokingly remarked on the rappers’ apparent competition for Swift’s friendship, thanking Antonoff for stirring the drama.

While Swift is unlikely to comment on the feud, fans anticipate Lamar’s potential involvement in her upcoming Eras Tour. As speculation swirls, the feud adds an unexpected twist to the rap scene, intertwining with Swift’s legacy in unforeseen ways.

In conclusion, Drake and Lamar’s rap feud takes an unexpected turn with references to Taylor Swift, highlighting the blurred lines between personal dynamics and musical rivalries. As fans speculate on the underlying motives, Swift remains an unwitting yet central figure in the ongoing saga.