Photo — Kanye West: Own work (Public domain) · Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Short Version
The long-running public conflict between Kanye West and Taylor Swift began at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when West interrupted Swift's acceptance speech. Over the following decade and a half, the dispute went through public apologies, temporary reconciliations, controversy over song lyrics in West's track 'Famous', leaked phone conversations, and legal warnings, culminating in a cease-and-desist letter issued by Swift's legal team in April 2025.
Latest Development
Swift issues cease-and-desist letter to West
LawCommentary reported that Taylor Swift's legal team sent a formal cease-and-desist warning to Kanye West following sexually explicit and false statements made by West on social media.
April 14, 2025 · Legal filing
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
April 14, 2025
Swift issues cease-and-desist letter to West
Legal filingLawCommentary reported that Taylor Swift's legal team sent a formal cease-and-desist warning to Kanye West following sexually explicit and false statements made by West on social media.
Source ↗December 6, 2023
Swift addresses psychological impact in TIME profile
Public statementIn an interview published by TIME, Swift reflected on the 2016 phone call release, describing it as an edited frame job that severely affected her psychologically and led her to isolate herself.
Source ↗July 2016
Kim Kardashian posts recorded phone call video online
ReportedKim Kardashian published footage of a recorded telephone call between West and Swift. Swift subsequently maintained that the published clip was edited and did not show her approving the line in question.
Source ↗February 12, 2016
West releases 'Famous', sparking dispute over lyrics
ReportedKanye West released the song 'Famous' containing references to Swift. Swift's representative stated she was not made aware of the specific lyric 'I made that b---h famous' and had warned West against releasing a song with a misogynistic message.
Source ↗August 30, 2015
Swift presents West with Video Vanguard Award
Verified eventTaylor Swift presented Kanye West with the Video Vanguard Award at the 2015 MTV VMAs, referencing their 2009 encounter during her introductory speech.
Source ↗September 12, 2010
Swift performs 'Innocent' at the 2010 VMAs
Verified eventOne year after the original incident, Taylor Swift performed her song 'Innocent' at the MTV VMAs, which contained lyrics referencing the previous year's event.
Source ↗September 14, 2009
West publicly apologizes on television
Public statementOn television, Kanye West acknowledged that interrupting Swift was rude and stated that he was wrong for stepping on someone's emotions.
Source ↗September 13, 2009
Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech
Verified eventAt the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West took the microphone from Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video, stating that Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Active. According to reports published in April 2025, Taylor Swift's legal team issued a formal cease-and-desist letter to Kanye West demanding an immediate stop to explicit social media statements alleging unproven sexual conduct.
Related Beefs
Same people, same category.
Related Beefs
TBTupac ShakurThe Notorious B.I.G.
Initially friends and collaborators in the early 1990s, rap icons Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
Jay-ZNas
What began as subtle subs and missed studio sessions in 1996 grew into one of hip-hop's most defining feuds.
DrakeKendrick Lamar
Two of the most commercially dominant rappers of their generation moved from years of subtweet-level competitiveness into a direct, rapid-fi…
Nicki MinajCardi B
The long-running dispute between rap stars Nicki Minaj and Cardi B began around 2017 with sub-tweets, radio interviews, and controversy surr…
Sources
- 1.SourceSwift issues cease-and-desist letter to West · Apr 14, 2025
- 2.SourceSwift addresses psychological impact in TIME profile · Dec 6, 2023
- 3.SourceKim Kardashian posts recorded phone call video online ·
- 4.SourceWest releases 'Famous', sparking dispute over lyrics · Feb 12, 2016
- 5.SourceSwift presents West with Video Vanguard Award · Aug 30, 2015
- 6.SourceSwift performs 'Innocent' at the 2010 VMAs · Sep 12, 2010
- 7.SourceWest publicly apologizes on television · Sep 14, 2009
- 8.SourceKanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech · Sep 13, 2009
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.