Taylor Swift unleashed her band of devoted fans on the Carlyle Group — a powerful and politically connected Washington, DC-based firm whose investments have included the streetwear brand Supreme, aerospace and defence companies, and Dunkin’ Brands — amid a bitter feud with her former record label and its new owner.

Why the mashup between big money and music royalty? As it happens, Carlyle had financed the sale of Swift’s former label, Big Machine Label Group, to music manager Scooter Braun. Carlyle is an investor in Braun’s company, Ithaca Holdings, which acquired Big Machine in July.