Taylor Swift (left) and SZA. Image: Instagram/@taylorswift, @sza
Taking her cue from SZA, Taylor Swift also shut down claims of a brewing feud between her and the R&B soul singer on the heels of the pair’s back-to-back domination of the Billboard Hot 100.
Swift’s single “Anti-Hero”, which retained its No. 1 spot for eight weeks and 12 weeks on the chart, is by far the longest-leading on Billboard’s Top 100.
SZA’s “Kill Bill”, on the other hand, is hot on Swift’s heels at No. 2 after five weeks in the chart. Her “SOS” album was at no. 1 in the past three weeks in Billboard’s Global 200 chart.
The race to the top spot however sparked speculations of a rivalry between the two musicians, with SZA even clarifying that she has “no beef with anyone, especially not Taylor.”
On Wednesday, Swift also made it plain she was not having any feud with SZA, even as she thank her fans for keeping her album on top of the board.
“What on earth… I love you guys,” Swift said on her Instagram Stories, adding, “PS: Been listening to @SZA’s album nonstop, absolutely adore her music. So much love and respect for her!!”
Swift also attached a screenshot of Billboard’s Twitter post that showed “Anti-Hero” becoming No. 1 anew.
.@taylorswift13‘s “Anti-Hero” returns to No. 1 on the Billboard #Hot100 for a seventh total week! 👏📈 https://t.co/Q0xHRMylGb
— billboard (@billboard) January 9, 2023
SZA is currently still the top pick at the Billboard 200 chart for “SOS,” meaning she would need to beat Swift’s 2022 pop release “Midnights” for the fourth time. “Midnights” is currently at No. 2 on the songs chart.
“Midnights” topped the Billboard 200 immediately after its October 2022 release. It has so far spent 10 weeks on the chart but was dethroned twice—first by Drake and 21 Savage last November, then by Metro Boomin a month later.
Earlier, the Missouri-born singer felt compelled to clarify on Twitter that she has no bad blood with Swift.
“Uhh I feel silly that I even have to say this but I see supporters arguing and I hate that. I don’t have beef [with] ANYONE especially not Taylor lmao (laughing my a** off). I genuinely loved her album and the writing!” she said. “Everyone’s [just trying to] do their BEST as we all should. LOVE TO EVERYONE.” EDV