Rapper stirs controversy by revealing past incestuous relationship with male cousin
Kanye West has hinted at a disturbing past with claims of an incestuous relationship with his male cousin during their childhood. Under the moniker Ye, the rapper unveiled a snippet of his new track “Cousins” and provided context behind it in an X post on Monday morning. In his post, West, 47, revealed that the song is about his cousin who is serving a life sentence for murdering a pregnant woman, which happened after West declared that they should stop looking at explicit magazines together when they were young. He reflected on feeling responsible for exposing his cousin to adult material at a young age.
The disturbing lyrics of the song feature West rapping about witnessing two individuals kissing, leading to him and his cousin reenacting what they had seen, which eventually escalated into inappropriate behavior. West expresses the fear of keeping this secret and the internal struggle of not being attracted to men, emphasizing that the truth will one day bring freedom. While details about his cousin remain scarce, both West and his former wife, Kim Kardashian, have previously discussed his criminal cousin.
Discussing the imprisoned cousin on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2018, West expressed love despite the cousin’s criminal actions, highlighting the complexities of familial relationships. Kardashian, who shares four children with West, mentioned his cousin during a conversation with Marc M. Howard in April 2020, shedding light on the gravity of the cousin’s offense. West has also recently delved into his tumultuous childhood, sharing posts about past abuse he endured from his parents. Despite this, he framed the abuse as corrective rather than abusive in nature, recounting instances where he was physically reprimanded for minor grievances, reflecting on the unhealthy dynamics within his upbringing.
West’s revelations come at a time when he is increasingly candid about his personal struggles and experiences, shedding light on his vulnerabilities and complex relationships. The rapper’s music has often served as a platform for self-expression and catharsis, with “Cousins” being no exception. As he grapples with his past traumas and relationships, West continues to navigate his artistry through raw and unfiltered storytelling, challenging societal norms and expectations along the way.