During a New Year’s Eve party in the Maldives, Kanye West pulled a surprise by playing Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” during his DJ set, entertaining an all-ages crowd.
Kanye West, known for his unpredictable nature, took to the DJ booth at a Maldives New Year’s Eve party, dropping Taylor Swift’s popular track “Shake It Off.” This unexpected musical choice was just part of his performance that evening, where he seamlessly transitioned from Taylor’s hit to his own “Carnival,” a song from his Vultures 1 album. Attendees captured these moments and shared them on social media, sparking excitement and conversation.
In a video shared on Twitter by user @big_business_, Kanye’s transition from “Shake It Off” to “Carnival” was highlighted, showcasing his dynamic range as a DJ. Another video by @GoodAssSub presented Ye’s vibrant mood, as he sang along energetically to Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer.” In yet another clip shared by @TheLifeofEllie7, Kanye was seen engaging with young fans near the DJ booth, spreading New Year cheer.
However, this playful DJ set came amidst ongoing chart battles between Kanye and Taylor Swift. Over the summer, Taylor managed to secure another number one album, preventing Kanye’s Vultures 2, a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, from debuting at the top spot on the Billboard 200. Taylor’s album, The Tortured Poets Department, returned to number one, amassing 142,000 equivalent units in its 14th week, eclipsing Kanye’s 107,000 units.
Interestingly, Swift added a clever twist to her album’s release, capitalizing the letters “Y” and “E” in one of her song titles, seemingly a nod to Kanye, further fueling their long-standing saga. Prior to this, she had another stylization snag that appeared to reference Kanye’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, by using the letters “KIM.”
This ongoing rivalry took center stage again with Kanye’s New Year’s Eve set. Despite the competition between the two stars, Kanye appeared unfazed and in high spirits, offering a night filled with music that got the crowd dancing and enjoying the start of a new year.
As the fireworks of the New Year faded, Kanye West’s DJ set left partygoers in the Maldives with a night to remember. Playing Taylor Swift’s hit was an unexpected twist, perhaps a nod to their chart rivalry. Regardless, Kanye’s vibrant performance set the tone for a promising start to 2025.
