Bad Blood (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar

“Bad Blood (Taylor’s Version)” is a reimagined version of Taylor Swift’s hit song “Bad Blood,” featuring Kendrick Lamar. Taylor Swift’s decision to re-record “Bad Blood” and other songs from her back catalog is part of her effort to regain control of her master recordings. In 2019, Taylor Swift’s former label, Big Machine Records, was acquired by talent manager Scooter Braun, who gained control of Swift’s master recordings. Swift has been vocal about her opposition to this acquisition and has been working to re-record her old songs in order to own the new master recordings.

A provision in Swift’s contract with Big Machine Records allowed her to re-record her own songs starting in November 2020, and she has committed to doing so. By re-recording her music, Swift can own new master recordings and essentially create a cover of her own songs. This gives her some control over who uses her re-recorded music, and she can collect royalties from licenses to the re-recorded music. The collaboration with Kendrick Lamar adds a new dimension to the song, infusing it with a fresh perspective and his signature rap style. Swift has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to re-record her music and has described the experience of working with Kendrick Lamar as inspiring and surreal. The original “Bad Blood” was known for its themes of conflict and betrayal, and the Taylor’s Version with Kendrick Lamar’s inclusion brings a different dynamic to the song, making it a compelling and notable release in Taylor Swift’s ongoing journey as an artist.