Taylor Swift, a musical phenomenon, has forged collaborations with hip-hop's heaviest hitters, ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Ice Spice. However, one rapper who almost joined this illustrious lineup? Lil Nas X. The 25-year-old "Old Town Road" sensation disclosed in an interview with E! on Thursday that Swift, now 35, once extended an invitation for him to co-create a track, yet the magic never materialized. "We were in the midst of crafting something," he shared. "She kindly offered me a chance to lay down a verse, but I couldn't quite grasp the vibe; hence, it never came to be."
As he reminisced about the missed collaboration, Lil Nas X admitted he "wasn't even eager to dwell on it." Nevertheless, despite declining the opportunity, his admiration for Swift and her towering success knew no bounds. "I'm incredibly proud of my girl," he declared. "She's soared to the very pinnacle. I'm grateful she even considered me in the mix."
Addressing whether fans might still cherish a glimmer of hope for a future pairing between the "Old Town Road" and "All Too Well" artists, he teased, "When it does happen… it'll be a global sensation. Tay-Tay and Nassy, taking the world by storm."
While the Swift collaboration remains a possibility hanging in the balance, Lil Nas X has set his sights on another rising star—Doechii. The rapper made groundbreaking strides at the 2025 Grammys, becoming only the third woman to win Best Rap Album. Lil Nas X is eager to hit the studio with her. "My girl's been killing it," he enthused. "We've been talking about getting into the studio for nearly a year, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm just eager to make it a reality."
Though he's kept a low profile regarding potential projects with Swift, his admiration for her has been far from subtle. In November, fan accounts captured him posting a "Midnights"-themed calendar on his Instagram Stories.
At the GLAAD Media Awards, the singer opened up to People about his artistic evolution post the release of his March EP, "Days Before Dreamboy." "I want to be true to myself more than ever in this era," he confessed. "I desire to be utterly free, doing only what my heart desires. If I'm not into it, I won't do it." He added, "If I don't feel like being somewhere, I won't be. It's crucial to stand firm in my identity and recognize where I invest my energy and where I don't."
Meanwhile, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, 77, has thrown his hat into the ring of artists yearning to collaborate with Swift. During a TalkShopLive stream last week, he revealed, "I aspire to collaborate with Sting and Taylor Swift." He dreams of teaming up with Swift for covers of Bob Marley & The Wailers' "No Woman, No Cry," Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman," and Carole King's "Natural Woman."
As for Swift, her latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," was released in 2024. Whether her next venture will include Lil Nas X, Doechii, or Santana remains a mystery. Yet, for now, she comfortably resides at the very "tippety top."
