Taylor Swift and Post Malone’s music collaboration may have come as a shock to fans, but their connection runs deep.

One day after announcing her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Swift unveiled the song titles — including tune “Fortnight” featuring Malone. Afterwards, the “Circles” singer took to Instagram to share a snap of Swift’s track list alongside several heart emojis.

But Malone and Swift have further ties than just collaborating together on the 2024 album.

The pair met at the Billboard Music Awards in 2018, and have sung each other’s praises through the years. The “Sunflower” singer even has a special tie to a certain someone in the “Cruel Summer” singer’s life — her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Swift and Malone’s connection:

Swift Meets Malone

“We were just passing by and she was like, ‘Oh my God! Nice to see you. ‘Better Now’ is f–king amazing!’” he recalled on The Howard Stern Show in October 2023 of crossing paths with Swift at the awards show years prior. “And I was like, ‘What?’ That’s f–king crazy, you’re a great f–king songwriter! Thank you so very much.’”

In a clip, Swift is heard praising Malone’s 2018 track “Better Now,” saying “‘Better Now’ is so insane. I’m so jealous of that song, that hook.”

“There’s so many beautiful artists in the world and for another artist to acknowledge that is a really, really bitching thing. It’s a really special thing,” Malone recalled of the interaction in October 2023. “That was a really cool moment and it was very inspiring.”

Malone continued to gush over Swift’s evolving success, and even hinted at their future collaboration.

“It’s f–king so cool. It’s so cool,” he told Howard Stern. “I recently got to hang out with her and she is genuinely one of the most kind and considerate and a f–king hell of a songwriter. Holy s–t, amazing.”

Malone Has a Bond With Travis Kelce

Malone is pals with Kelce, sharing the hilarious story of when he lost a game of beer pong against the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I had to get a Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce tattoo,” he said of the penalty to Stern in October 2023, joking that the ink is “well hidden,” before confessing, “No, I don’t mean that. They are sweet guys and talented players. It’s on my arm.”

When the host quipped that it’s “somewhat embarrassing” Kelce lost to the Chiefs duo, he replied, “No, it’s not! They’re athletes! They’re athletes!”

Malone then publicly requested a redo with Mahomes and Kelce, saying, “I will say this, and I told Taylor to tell him, ‘Those elbows were crazy.’ And you can’t have your elbows crossing over the table. So I’d like a rematch.”

Malone added that Kelce and Swift’s romance earned his stamp of approval, gushing that the NFL player is the “sweetest dude.”

“Nowadays you really never know,” he said. “You meet a lot of people in the world. And what’s cool is, like, it’s cool to see people that are successful, much like Taylor and Travis and Patrick, they really give a s–t about human beings. And I think that’s pretty badass.”

Malone Follows Swift on TikTok

In 2022, eagled-eyed fans of Malone noticed that the rapper had followed Swift on TikTok. What’s more, it was one of only 31 people Malone followed on the platform.

Fanbases of both artists started speculating what it could all mean, of course.

“I have been hoping for this since she hugged him at the VMAs,” one wrote on Reddit. “I’m a long time Taylor fan and a huge post fan and would love this so much. They are both such talented song writers and artists. Would be amazing.”

They’d have to wait two more years to find out.

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Swift Hits the Jumbotron During Malone’s Super Bowl Performance

As Malone sang “America the Beautiful” at February’s Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, the big screen at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium caught Swift and pal Blake Lively swaying along to the rendition.

Swift and Lively were as surprised as anybody to see themselves, laughing as they were spotted embracing during Malone’s performance.

Swift and Malone Play Love Interests in Her ‘Fortnight’ Music Video

In addition to collaborating on a song for Swift’s Tortured Poets Department album, Malone played the love interest in the “Fortnight” music video.

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