Kanye West has sparked intense controversy and public discussion with the release of a new track titled “COUSINS,” in which he recounts a deeply personal and troubling memory involving sexual experimentation with a male cousin during childhood. According to the rapper, both he and his cousin—who is currently incarcerated—were involved in this experience after discovering explicit material as kids.
In the emotionally charged, grungy track, Ye sings about stumbling upon adult magazines at a young age, specifying that the content was homosexual in nature and belonged to his late mother, Donda West. The lyrics imply that this discovery led to a series of interactions with his cousin, including intimate acts that, he claims, continued until he was 14 years old.
Visuals and Lyrics Stir Controversy
The song’s accompanying visual montage includes snippets of video games mixed with provocative imagery, adding to the song’s raw and unfiltered message. The chorus contains explicit lines describing the act in detail, leading many fans and critics to express shock and concern across social media.
A Complicated Family Connection
Ye has previously spoken about this cousin during past interviews, including a 2018 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where he mentioned his cousin’s incarceration for murder:
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“My cousin is locked up for murder and I love him. So he did a bad thing, but I still love him.”
Later, in 2020, Kim Kardashian—then still married to Kanye—advocated for his cousin’s situation as part of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, working alongside Georgetown University professor Marc Howard to shine a light on systemic injustices faced by families in underprivileged communities, like those in Chicago where Kanye grew up.
The Bigger Message?
In the song, Kanye suggests this early encounter had a lasting psychological impact on both him and his cousin, potentially shaping some of the darker paths they each went down. He also announced a title change for his upcoming album—from “WW3” to “CUCK”—in what some fans are interpreting as a nod to the chaotic blend of personal revelation, social commentary, and shock value that often defines his work.
Important Note
If you or someone you know has experienced childhood sexual trauma or assault, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for support and resources.
