Taylor Swift and T Pain duet
T Pain, left, and Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift had two goals at the CMT Awards this year: to raise money for charity and to rap like a gangsta. Taylor Swift and T Pain collaborated on a satirical rap version of “Love Story” called “Thug Story.”
Taylor Swift and T Pain performed “Thug Story” at the CMT Awards, but you can see a video of “T Pain and T Sweezy rappin’ on the same track” on the CMT blog.
Meshing music
Rap and country are generally considered opposite ends of the music spectrum, so Taylor Swift and T Pain’s collaboration has raised more than a few eyebrows. But could it mean a big pay day for them both?
Aside from their similar sounding titles, “Thug Story” and “Love Story” don’t have much in common, lyrically, but it’s clear that the song is a throwback to the song that won her the top prize at the CMT Awards, Video of the Year.
Music awards for a good cause
Taylor Swift’s wins for Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year mean that the charity she selected, The American Red Cross, will recieve donations in Swift’s name. The CMT web site says:
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Also, because the director for the “Love Story” music video, Trey Fanjoy, won Director of the Year, MusiCares will receive a donation.
MusiCares provides financial assistance, confidential resources and a safety net of services to music people in times of need. We offer support for a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies and treat each situation with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
MisiCaresalso received a donation in the name of Sugarland, who won Duo Video of the Year.
Money reaches needy
Other charities that recieved donations because of the CMT Awards:
- The Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation (From Brad Paisley)
- Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley)
- Fifty Forward (Kieth Urban)
- The F.R. Carrick Institute for Children’s Autism Research (Zac Brown Band)
- CMT One Country (Kid Rock, Alan Jackson)
- Jennifer Strait Memorial Fund (George Strait)
Strange things afoot
The Taylor Swift and T Pain satirical song collaboration has sparked rumors of the two going on tour together. I can’t vouch for the validity of these rumors, but they’re out there.
This idea of Taylor Swift and T Pain going on tour together brings up a lot of questions. Would it be a smashing success because it attracts both Talyor Swift and T Pain’s fans? Would it me a dismal failure because T Pain’s fans wouldn’t be caught dead at a Taylor Swift concert and vice versa?
