Taylor Swift's cryptic puzzles on Google hint at a possible collaboration with Nicki Minaj for "1989 (Taylor’s Version)."
As the anticipated release of "1989 (Taylor’s Version)" draws closer, Taylor Swift is leaving no stone unturned in building excitement. On September 19, Google unveiled a special pop-up animation dedicated to the upcoming album. Within this playful feature, fans have uncovered intriguing puzzles, sparking speculation of a potential collaboration with Nicki Minaj.
When users search "Taylor Swift" on Google, they are greeted with one of 89 puzzles, each tasking fans with unscrambling a word to "unlock Taylor’s vault." Swift shared this interactive experience on her Instagram, teasing, "You can tell me when the *search* is over… if the high was worth the pain ," a nod to "Blank Space," one of the original 1989's three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles.
Among the puzzles, one particular answer has ignited fervent discussion among both Swifties and Barbz: "Sagittarius." This seemingly innocuous word holds deeper significance. Both Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj fall under the Sagittarius zodiac sign, with birthdays on December 13 and December 8, respectively. The recent 2023 MTV Video Music Awards saw Swift affectionately referring to Minaj as her "favorite Sagittarius," prompting a beaming response from the acclaimed rapper. Minaj, an avid proponent of her star sign, has long shared her astrological affinity with her dedicated fanbase.
Just last month, Minaj took to Twitter, expressing the urge to share "Sagittarius tingz" while celebrating her and Swift's remarkable achievement as the only female artists in Billboard history to secure over 100 entries on the Hot 100 chart. Earlier this year, she also tweeted a message addressing her fans, the Barbz, acknowledging the challenges of supporting an artist often viewed as an "Anti-hero," a term that resonates with both her own public persona and Swift's chart-topping single, "Midnights."
A potential collaboration between Swift and Minaj wouldn't be entirely unexpected. Swift has been a vocal supporter of Minaj's hit "Super Bass," and the two previously joined forces for a memorable medley performance at the 2015 VMAs, featuring Minaj's tracks "Trini Dem Girls" and "The Night Is Still Young," along with Swift's hit, "Bad Blood." This collaboration followed a constructive resolution to a disagreement over the Video of the Year nominees that year.
With these tantalizing clues and shared history, fans are eagerly awaiting any official announcement of a musical collaboration between these two powerhouse artists, potentially adding another layer of excitement to the forthcoming release of "1989 (Taylor’s Version)."