Taylor Swift Premieres Song About Kanye West

Does Taylor Swift think Kanye West is ‘innocent’? With both stars scheduled to appear at Sunday’s VMAs, speculation had mounted as to whether they would appear together on-stage. Though the two were never seen together, both sang songs relating to the infamous VMA-snatching incident of 2009. 

Swift, 20, sang first, sitting on the darkened stage with a silver guitar and white dress. The performance began with clips of last year’s debacle, before Swift began the song, "Still an Innocent," from her upcoming CD Speak Now. The lyrics were veiled, but pointed, with Swift referring to West, singing, "32 and still growing up now" (his age at the last show) and expressing her forgiveness. "Who you are is not what you did," she sang, "You’re still an innocent." 

West, 33, who followed Swift with his own tribute to the 2009 VMAs, also performed a new song called "Runaway." If Swift’s song was the sort of guitar ballad typical to the young country star’s repertoire, West’s was just as classically Kanye as any song he’s released before. “Let’s have a toast to the scumbags," he rapped, wearing a bright red suit and playing a small white piano. "You’ve been putting up with my s— just way too long," he continued. When he finished, the crowd cheered wildly, getting to their feet for a standing ovation and chanting "Kanye! Kanye! Kanye!" –AMY LEE