Taylor Swift, in what many fans think is a not-so-subtle dig at ex-manager Scooter Braun, praised a cover of her hit “Look What You Made Me Do” by a band with zero credits that played over the opening credits of Sunday night’s episode of “Killing Eve.” Why the big hype and who is this mysterious band?
The pop superstar, in a tweet sent Sunday night, said she was “VERY STOKED” (in all caps) about the cover by Jack Leopards & the Dolphin Club, while sharing a brief snippet of the song in the process. The catch? Jack Leopard & the Dolphin Club appear to be a “fake” band, with no other songs credited to the group on Spotify or Apple Music.
Swift’s fans have a legit reason to believe she is behind the cover, however. One big hint is that her brother Austin Swift used to be called “The Dolphin Club” on social media. On top of that, the song is produced by Nils Sjoberg, a pseudonym Swift used back in 2016 when she sang on Calvin Harris’ “This Is What You Came For.” And The Independent on Monday said Swift had “begged” “Killing Eve” executive producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge to have her little brother featured on the show’s soundtrack.
Many of Swift’s fans think the not-so-subtle move was done to get back at Braun. The two were caught in a messy feud last year when Big Machine Records acquired her back catalog. Swift accused Braun and Big Machine founder Scott Borchetta of “exercising tyrannical control” over her work in the aftermath. Braun, meanwhile, said his family received death threats following Swift’s criticism last year.
The thinking of some fans is that if Swift released the song under a fake name and had her brother perform it instead, Braun won’t receive any payment for it.
Other fans and fan accounts quickly took to Twitter to praise Swift for what they believed was a sneaky move, with one fan happily saying “no coin” will go to Borchetta or Braun because of her decision.
Most fans seem to agree it’s Austin Swift covering the song, along with the help of producer Jack Antonoff; the two were spotted in a studio late last year alongside Swift, some fans pointed out.
Reps for Scooter Braun didn’t immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
The old Taylor Swift might be dead, but her love of having the last word isn't. Swift premiered the music video for her latest single, "Look What You Made Me Do," off her upcoming album "Reputation" during the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday night, and it's full of subtle -- and not-so-subtle -- digs at her enemies. Here, we're breaking down the shade. Grab a cup of tea.VevoLet's start at the beginning. When zombie Taylor is burying old Taylor's reputation, a headstone in the graveyard reads "Nils Sjoberg." That's the pseudonym she used when co-writing the song "This is What You Came For" with ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris.Big Machine RecordsNext up we have the jewel-filled bathtub. Notice the single dollar bill to Taylor's right. She was recently awarded one dollar in her court case against DJ David Mueller, who she accused of grabbing her butt in 2013. Mueller was found guilty of sexual assault and battery.Big Machine RecordsIn the portion of the video that many have compared to Beyonce's "Lemonade," Swift's backup dancers are wearing crop tops emblazoned with "I <3 TS," which is eerily similar to ex-boyfriend Tom Hiddleston's tank top.VariousSwift and her gang rob a streaming service all decked out in cat masks, and Swift wears a sweatshirt with a Tiger on it -- remind you of Katy Perry's "Roar"? And, Perry's fans are known as "Katycats." Swift famously refused to allow her music on streaming services -- until she put all her music on Spotify right before Perry released her new album, "Witness."Big Machine RecordsSwift is reaaaaally channeling some serious Katy vibes here, except one thing -- she's holding a Grammy, which Katy has never won, despite several nominations. Swift has won 10.Big Machine RecordsSwift is serving up some tea in the video -- literally -- surrounded by snakes, which she banned from her Instagram comments in 2016. After she was outed as having approved Kanye West's lyrics in "Famous" despite her saying otherwise, thanks to video proof by Kim Kardashian West, people started to call her a snake. Looks like now she's embracing that reputation.Big Machine Records"Et tu Brute," from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," is etched into Swift's snake-covered throne, suggesting Swift feels like friends betrayed her. Fans also recognized the reference to "Mean Girls," when Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert) loses it and screams "We should totally just stab Caesar!" And in 2014, Perry tweeted to "Watch out for the Regina George (Rachel McAdams) in sheep's clothing" after Swift's interview with Rolling Stone. Big Machine RecordsSwift is known for her girl squad of famous models and other celebrities -- and she apparently knows she gets mocked for it, too. Here she lies with her mannequin squad, throwing shade at those who call her "fake."Big Machine RecordsSwift's favorite number is 13, and it's sprinkled throughout the "LWYMMD" video-- even though, isn't that old Taylor's favorite number? Is it new Taylor's favorite number too? Here it is on one of the old Taylor's hands, but it's also in the license plate, necklace on her cheetah and air plane hangar.Big Machine RecordsHere stands new Taylor, on a pile of all the old Taylors of music videos past. We still have one burning question, though: Didn't old Taylor write this song? You can watch the full music video here.Big Machine RecordsTaylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do' Video: A Breakdown of All the Shade (Photos) Grab a cup of tea, because even New Taylor has to have the last word View In Gallery
