Did Taylor Swift give Kanye West a little inspiration on how to make a big comeback?
maybe. Kanye, who now goes by the name Ye, appears to be taking a page straight out of his long-time rival’s playbook ahead of the release of his long-awaited album, Bully.
The American rapper, who raised eyebrows earlier this year with his loud statements on X, a controversial red carpet moment with wife Bianca Censori, and questionable public sightings, has been completely off the grid for months.
While his wife returned to the spotlight when she was spotted in Australia just last week, promoting her new fashion line on social media, Heartless The hitmaker is still MIA.
Calculated silence?
Maybe Kanye’s disappearance wasn’t random at all, but rather it gave off vibes for Swift, reminiscent of the strategic fade-out she undertook before dropping her 12th studio album. The life of a showgirl.
Just as Taylor used ambiguity to build anticipation and reset her public image, Kanye’s calm may pave the way for his reinvention.
She was giving no interviews, no appearances, no publications, just being completely erased. Then, when TS12 dropped, it came like a cultural deluge: videos, visuals, Easter eggs, interviews, and a perfectly orchestrated firestorm.
Could Kanye do the same?
Maybe Kanye is taking a page from the same playbook, and disappearing to amplify the anticipation.
Taylor Swift’s “disappearance” before showgirl life
Before her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl), Taylor deliberately created a conundrum:
She has stayed completely off the grid and has not been seen in public, with minimal social media following the conclusion of her Ancient Times recording tour
Fans didn’t notice any paparazzi sightings, only a few weeks before the release fueling theories online.
This silence built massive anticipation as the lack of content became the content itself.
Then, when the album dropped, it was suddenly everywhere: surprise performances, new photos, interviews, Easter eggs, it was a controlled publicity explosion.
Kanye West and his “Gone Before the Storm” style.
Now, Kanye seems to be following a similar rhythm:
In recent months, the rapper has remained completely silent, there has been no press or any major activity on social media, and no clear hints about his upcoming 12th studio album, Bully, which is said to be scheduled for a December 12 release.
For someone known for his bold statements and headline-grabbing, this measured calm seems intentional.
If Taylor Swift’s approach is all about strategic ambiguity, Kanye’s unpredictability might be manageable — the calm before the self-orchestrated cultural storm. After years of controversy, public fallout, and creative turmoil, this silence could be his way of resetting the narrative and allowing the curiosity to rebuild organically.
Interestingly enough, the history between Taylor Swift and Kanye West is one of the most famous pop culture stories of the 21st century.
Here’s a quick summary of their enemy-turned-friends:
2009 MTV Video Music Awards:
Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video (“You Belong With Me”) to say Beyoncé has “one of the best videos ever.” It became a widespread controversy and defined the public image of both artists for years.
2010-2015:
They appeared to publicly reconcile when Kanye apologized, and by 2015 they were seen talking and even joking together at award shows.
2016:
The feud reignited when Kanye released the song “Famous” in which he referred to Taylor with the lyric “I made that famous.” Taylor objected, saying she did not approve of the line. Kim Kardashian, Kanye’s then-wife, later posted edited clips of a phone call indicating that Taylor knew about the matter, which led to a massive public backlash against Taylor.
2020:
The full, unedited call was leaked, showing that Taylor had not heard the controversial lyric beforehand, shifting public opinion in her favor.
Since then, Taylor has rebuilt her image with tremendous success – reclaiming her masters through Taylor’s release albums and breaking records on the Eras Tour. Meanwhile, Kanye’s career has been plagued by controversy, public backlash, and attempts at reinvention. So your line – “Kanye West takes notes from Taylor Swift for massive comeback?” – plays perfectly on this shared history. It means Kanye may be trying to emulate Taylor’s method to regain public popularity and artistic control.
Kanye West’s recent and upcoming projects:
Bully, West’s upcoming solo album, which has faced multiple delays, is currently scheduled for release on December 12, 2025. Several songs, including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Preacher Man,” were released as EPs earlier this year.
Donda 2: This “lost album”, originally from 2022, was officially released to streaming services under the artist name “Donda” on April 29, 2025.
Recent Releases: In 2024, West and Ty Dolla released the collaborative albums Vultures 1 and Vultures 2.
In the Name of Who?: A documentary about West’s life and public controversies titled In the Name of Who?, released in theaters in September 2025.