Photo: Wenn
The video was directed by Joseph Khan and follows a colonial era actor, Swift, as she negotiates a passionate romance in an undisclosed African location. It features Savanna backdrops and perfectly positioned wildlife creating the authentic African exterior, albeit with a largely white cast.
The internet has blasted Swift and, more importantly, the music video's producers for their 'historical insensitivity' and 'complete ignorance of the offence their depiction insights'.
Writing for NPR, writers Viviane Rutabingwa and James Kassaga Arinaitwe said: "Colonialism was neither romantic nor beautiful. It was exploitative and brutal. The legacy of colonialism still lives quite loudly to this day. Scholars have argued that poor economic performance, weak property rights and tribal tensions across the continent can be traced to colonial strategies.
"The bigger problem is that many Americans have never had an African history lesson. So we don't totally blame Taylor Swift, but the people behind the video should have done a little more research. They should have wondered how Africans would react."
Entertainment reporter Lauren Duca wrote for the Huffington Post: "Instead of the cultural appropriation that has become almost status quo in today's pop music, Swift has opted for the bolder option of actually just embodying the political exploitation of a region and its people. It's brave, really. Almost as brave as moving sensuously in the vicinity of a real-life lion."
Watch the distasteful video for 'Wildest Dreams' below
We wonder if Ryan Adams will emulate the music video to accompany his, now finished, 1989 covers album.
In other Taylor Swift news, the fan that lunged at the popstar during a concert has been charged with misdemeanor battery and obstruction and has had his bail set at $35,000 (£22,000).
