In a shocking revelation, Kanye West, the 47-year-old rapper known for his controversial statements and artistic expression, has disclosed that he had an incestuous relationship with his male cousin during their childhood. This admission came through a post on X, where he also unveiled a snippet of his upcoming music video for the song titled “Cousins.”
In his post, Kanye stated, “This song is called COUSINS about my cousin that’s locked in jail for life for killing a pregnant lady a few years after I told him we wouldn’t ‘look at dirty magazines together’ anymore.” His message hints at a complex emotional backdrop, suggesting that he feels a sense of guilt regarding their past interactions. He expressed, “Perhaps in my self-centered mess I felt it was my fault that I showed him those dirty magazines when he was 6 and then we acted out what we saw.”
Kanye West revealed that the “dirty magazines” he referred to were discovered in the closet of his late mother, Donda West. This revelation adds another layer to the discussion, especially since Kanye has recently claimed that his mother was a lesbian. He concluded his message with a striking line: “My name is Ye and I sucked my cousin’s d–k till I was 14,” which underscores the explicit nature of the memories he is sharing.
The lyrics of “Cousins” delve deeper into these experiences, with Kanye singing about “Hanging with my cousin reading dirty magazines. We seen some n—as kiss, and we ain’t know what that s–t mean. Then we start reenacting everything that we had seen. That’s when I gave my cousin head.” These lines, repeated multiple times in the song, highlight the confusion and exploration of their childhood.
Throughout the track, Kanye emphasizes that he “told his cousin not to tell nobody,” indicating a struggle with the implications of their actions. He reflects, “People tell me take it to my grave: ‘Truth will set you free someday.’ I don’t think they understand that I’m not attracted to a man.” This statement attempts to clarify his identity amidst the turbulent emotions associated with these memories.
The music video accompanying “Cousins” features a mix of home videos, scenes depicting gun violence, and semi-pornographic images. One particularly provocative scene includes a sign reading, “4 f—-ts,” alongside a burning cross, which may evoke strong reactions from viewers and critics alike.
Both Kanye West and his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, have previously addressed the cousin in question. In a notable moment during a 2018 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Kanye expressed his love for his cousin, who is serving a double life sentence for murder. He stated, “My cousin is locked up for murder, and I love him. He did a bad thing, but I still love him.”
Kim Kardashian also referenced Kanye’s cousin during a meeting with Marc M. Howard, president of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, in April 2020, emphasizing the familial connection and the gravity of the cousin's situation. She said, “Kanye’s aunt, my husband’s aunt, his cousin has a double life sentence for a murder that he committed when he was 17.”
This story is still developing, and as Kanye West continues to push boundaries with his art and personal revelations, it raises significant questions about the nature of familial relationships and the complexities of childhood experiences. The admission of an incestuous relationship, alongside the exploration of deep-seated emotions in his music, is sure to spark further discussion in both fan circles and the media.
