Ice Spice’s highly-anticipated remix of Taylor Swift’s “Karma” has finally hit the airwaves, igniting a frenzy of online chatter. However, it’s not just the song itself that’s generating buzz. Now that people are listening to the release, many feel justified behind speculation — one that suggests that the track might serve as a strategic move, or “damage control,” to help the reputation of Swift’s rumored artist boyfriend, who has recently faced some controversial headlines on comments made on Ice Spice. 

Though it’s not confirmed yet, Swift is allegedly dating Matty Healy, the frontman of the English pop rock band The 1975. Rumors of the romance came to light after Swift and Healy were spotted together holding hands and kissing, with Healy also attending the singer’s Era tour dates. However, his controversial actions also started to surface in media headlines. Some include doing a Nazi salute during his show and, more recently, being a part of racist remarks against Ice Spice.

The latter happened during an interview with “The Adam Friedland Show,” where he engaged in mocking Ice Spice with the hosts. The hosts apparently referred to the rapper as “one of the Inuit Spice Girls” and called her a “chubby Chinese lady.” To top off the hosts’ foul commentary, he laughed as the hosts made fun of Asian and Pacific Islander accents. Since then, he seemingly apologized to her during a live performance.

Now, social media users wonder about Swift’s actual intentions behind the collaboration, especially after hearing the song. “That verse was so bad you can really tell the Karma remix was done last minute for damage control to clear Taylor Swift & her nazy boyfriend image after he said all those racist slurs to Ice Spice,” a Twitter user wrote, still cheering on Ice Spice. “Hope she got a massive cheque though.” 

Another online user echoed the same sentiment. “The karma remix is just damage control for taylor’s bf being a racist. Bc now when you search ‘Taylor Swift Ice Spice’ you see the remix instead of him calling ice spice a bunch of slurs.”

Meanwhile, Swift says Ice’s team initiated the collaboration. Ice’s team told her that the emerging rapper had been a huge Swift fan since she was a kid. It turns out the two artists are allegedly mutual fans of each other. “I have been listening to her nonstop, like getting ready for my tour; I was just listening to Ice Spice constantly,” Swift said during an interview. “So I immediately got her number and said, ‘Hey would you want to do your version of ‘Karma’?”

“Getting to know her has been so special because I’m blown away by her,” she continued. “She is, in my opinion, she is the one to watch. Just watching her work ethic and how thoughtfully she approaches her career. She’s like my new favorite artist, and I’m so honored that she’s on the song.” 

Ice Spice, a fan of both Swift and Healy, has yet to comment on the speculation. She’s only shown love for Swift online: “sweetest person ever thank u sm i love yuuuu.”