If you were anywhere near a radio in 2015, you couldn’t escape it. That heavy, thumping drum beat. The "Hey!" chants. And, of course, that sharp, percussive verse from a rapper who, at the time, was the most critically acclaimed voice in hip-hop. Taylor Swift ft Kendrick Lamar wasn't just a collaboration; it was a cultural collision that nobody saw coming, yet somehow, it redefined how pop stars and rappers play together.
It's weird to think about now, but back then, Taylor was just fully committing to her "pop" era. Kendrick was coming off To Pimp a Butterfly. They lived in different worlds.
But then came the "Bad Blood" remix. It wasn't just a new coat of paint on a 1989 track. It was a complete overhaul that turned a schoolyard taunt into a cinematic event. Honestly, the remix is the version most people actually remember. Without Kendrick, "Bad Blood" is a catchy, if slightly repetitive, song about a friendship breakup. With him? It’s an anthem.
The Secret Sauce of the Bad Blood Remix
Most pop-rap features feel like they were handled via email. You know the vibe: a rapper turns in 16 bars that have nothing to do with the song, gets a paycheck, and moves on. This was different. Kendrick actually went to the studio with Taylor in LA.
🔗 Read more: Made in Abyss Manga Chapter 69: What Really Happened to Nanachi
He didn't just rap; he vibed.
"The reality that Kendrick would go back in and re-record 'Bad Blood' so that I could reclaim and own this work I'm so proud of is surreal and bewildering to me," Taylor shared years later.
That's the crazy part. Most people don't realize Kendrick didn't just do it once. When Taylor started her massive re-recording project, Kendrick showed up again for 1989 (Taylor’s Version). That kind of loyalty is rare in an industry that usually runs on "what have you done for me lately?"
Why the Kendrick Verses Worked
Kendrick’s flow on the track is like a percussion instrument. He hits those "p" and "t" sounds so hard they practically bounce off the speakers.
- The Bridge: "You forgive, you forget, but you never let it... go!"
- The Energy: He brought a grit that balanced Taylor’s polished pop vocals.
- The Narrative: He added a sense of weight to the "betrayal" theme that the original solo version lacked.
That Music Video Was Basically a Movie
We have to talk about the video. Directed by Joseph Kahn, it was basically Sin City meets The Avengers. You had Selena Gomez as the villain, Zendaya with throwing stars, and Kendrick as "Welvin Da Great" sitting behind a desk like a futuristic mastermind.
It broke the Vevo record at the time. 20 million views in 24 hours.
But the video did something more important: it solidified Taylor's "Squad" era. It was a flex. Seeing Kendrick Lamar—the guy who was literally the king of "conscious rap"—standing in the middle of this high-budget pop spectacle was a massive signal. It said that Taylor wasn't just a country-pop crossover; she was the center of the entire entertainment universe.
The Grammy Connection
The collab wasn't just for the charts. It won Best Music Video at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Ironically, that was the same night Taylor beat Kendrick for Album of the Year. Fans still debate that one. Kendrick won five Grammys that night for his own work, but his win with Taylor for "Bad Blood" remains one of the most high-profile moments of his career in the "pop" sphere.
Looking Forward: Is There More to the Story?
It’s now 2026, and the ripples of this partnership are still being felt. Recently, rumors have been flying—fueled by comments from people like DJ Snake—that Taylor might actually return the favor. Could she appear on a future Kendrick project?
👉 See also: Why Lauryn Hill The Sweetest Thing Still Matters: The Story You Didn't Know
It sounds wild, but so did "Bad Blood" in 2015.
The most fascinating thing is how their fanbases have merged. If you go to a Taylor Swift show today, the crowd still screams Kendrick’s lines during the "Bad Blood" bridge. It’s become a "fan lore" staple. Swifties respect Kendrick because he helped Taylor "reclaim" her work during the re-recording era.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven’t listened to the Taylor’s Version of the remix, go back and do it. Pay attention to the production by Ilya Salmanzadeh—he’s the one who beefed up the drums and gave it that "trap" feel that made it a radio hit.
✨ Don't miss: Live Your Life Rihanna Live: The Night a T.I. Collaboration Changed Pop Performance Forever
- Listen to the original vs. the remix: Notice how the remix strips away some of the "nyah-nyah" vocals to make room for Kendrick’s bars.
- Watch the 2016 Grammy performances: It gives you a great sense of the energy both artists were bringing at their peak.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuits: With both artists still dominating the zeitgeist, a surprise onstage reunion isn't as impossible as it once seemed.
The collaboration between Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar proved that pop and high-level lyricism don't have to be enemies. Sometimes, they just need a really good drum beat to bring them together.