The recent release of Katy Perry’s Nicki Minaj-assisted single "Swish Swish" quickly led to speculation the two were taking thinly veiled shots at the likes of Taylor Swift and Remy Ma on the song. Nicki had her own since-resolved issues with Swift after a now-infamous tweet believed to be about Swift’s video of the year nomination at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. And speculation about Perry’s issues with Swift has been punctuated by her alleged Mean Girls-inspired sub-tweeting at Swift and Swift’s supposed response in the form of 2014’s "Bad Blood."
As such, Perry’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday night offered Fallon the opportunity to ask if the track was indeed about Swift.
“Is that about anyone we know?” Fallon asked.
Perry wouldn't confirm if the song is indeed about Swift, but she provided this somewhat cryptic response for Fallon.
"I think it’s a great anthem for people to use when someone’s trying to hold you down or bully you," she responded.
Perry was criticized by some for her support of Hillary Clinton before, during, and after the 2016 election and also came under fire for some of the imagery portrayed in her single "Bon Appetit." She linked both issues while further explaining the intent of "Swish Swish."
"It’s just 360-degree liberation," she said of her upcoming album, Witness. "'Chained to the Rhythm' was this political liberation. 'Bon Appetit' was a sexual liberation, and I think 'Swish Swish' represents the liberation from all the negative that doesn’t serve you.”
At least a few of Katy and Nicki’s fans believe "the negative" includes Taylor Swift, as evidenced by their tweets.
Katy dissing Taylor, Nicki dissing all her sons, on one track 🔥🔥 #NickiBBMAs #SwishSwish pic.twitter.com/t9IkxhMX9Z
Taylor had 16 people featured. Katy had 1 and destroyed Taylor along with Remy. Quality over quantity bitches. #swishswish #NickiBBMAs
Taylor Swift after hearing #swishswish https://t.co/XOPNxQkrD7
Perry’s Witness is slated for a June 9 release.
