Katy Perry has left fans stunned after teaming up with rapper Chief Keef—more than ten years after a heated online clash in which he threatened to “smack” her.
The surprising link-up surfaced on Thursday when it was confirmed Chief Keef would appear on a remix of Perry’s 2013 song Legendary Lovers, and many people online didn’t see it coming.
Part of the shock comes from how ugly their exchange got back in 2013.
This week, the pairing began gaining traction after videos emerged of the two spending time together late at night, appearing to talk closely while hanging out and working on music. Some clips also seemed to show them smoking during the meet-up.
Perry later added to the speculation by sharing photos from the night, captioning them: “legendary link up.”
The original tension began when Perry publicly took issue with Chief Keef’s track Hate Bein’ Sober, which included features from Wiz Khalifa and 50 Cent.
“Just heard a new song on the radio called I Hate Being Sober and I have serious doubt for the world,” she tweeted at the time.
Chief Keef—still in his teens then—reacted angrily to the criticism.
“Dat b*h Katy Perry Can Suck Skin Off my Dk,” he wrote in a now-infamous tweet.
“I’ll smack The S*** out her.”
He also reportedly said he would put out a diss track aimed at Perry, though it never ended up being released.
Even with the blow-up, things eventually cooled down and the two exchanged public apologies online.
“Mr. Keef! I’m sorry if I offended you,” Perry later tweeted.
“I heard a lot of people guesting on the song & didn’t even know it was you in particular.”
Chief Keef then responded: “Oh Im Sorry Too Then.”
Now, more than a decade on, it looks like the past has been put firmly behind them.
Talk of a collaboration started earlier in the week when fans circulated footage of Perry meeting Chief Keef late at night in a parking lot.
The video spread quickly, with viewers commenting on how relaxed and friendly the two seemed as they spoke.
Additional photos and clips then appeared showing them spending more time together afterward, seemingly continuing to hang out while working on the project.
In one moment caught on camera, Chief Keef can be seen giving Perry a one-armed hug while she leans in close as he talks.
Perry later pushed the rumours further with her Instagram post using the caption: “legendary link up.”
Fans quickly connected it to Legendary Lovers, as the remix officially arrived Thursday evening.
She also uploaded a carousel of behind-the-scenes content—videos and photos of them together—plus a screenshot referencing the tweets in which they apologised after their earlier dispute.
One clip also shows Chief Keef giving Perry a red Glo Gang hoodie, matching the one he was wearing.