COUSINS Lyrics – Kanye West

COUSINS Lyrics Meaning

The artist is reflecting on seeing someone outside, just casually hanging out with their friends, which might trigger memories or feelings of connection. The scene feels normal, but it sets the tone for the deeper emotions and experiences that follow.

The artist talks about hanging out with his cousin and how they ended up looking at inappropriate content together. This introduces the theme of confusion and curiosity during younger years, especially when encountering things that aren’t fully understood.

Here, the artist shares a moment of confusion when they witnessed two people kissing, an experience that was hard to process at the time. It shows a lack of understanding and innocence, not knowing what it meant in terms of s*xuality.

The lyrics move into a shocking moment where they acted out what they saw in the magazines, leading to an event that’s deeply controversial. This part highlights a moment of youthful exploration gone wrong, where boundaries are crossed without fully grasping the consequences.

The repetition of seeing this person outside again shows how the past experience lingers in the artist’s mind. It suggests the tension of encountering someone from the past in a public space, possibly feeling judged or misunderstood.

The artist is aware that people are going to judge him now, especially since this story involves taboo actions. He reflects on how things began with innocent hangouts, but now those same experiences are subject to criticism and misunderstanding.

There’s a sense of secrecy here. The artist asks the cousin to keep things hidden, but also expresses the pressure to bury this event forever. The phrase “take it to my grave” reflects the artist’s desire to keep this personal mistake hidden from the world.

The artist clarifies that this event doesn’t define his s*xual orientation. The act was not about attraction but rather a confused moment, and he wants to make it clear to others that it doesn’t mean he is gay.

This line shows that nitrous (a substance) doesn’t solve the underlying issues, but only numbs the pain temporarily, putting him in a trance-like state. It’s an attempt to escape from the discomfort and confusion surrounding his emotions.

The artist distinguishes that the euphoria or high he’s seeking is not related to being with a man. He’s more focused on escaping feelings of distress rather than dealing with the deeper questions of his identity.

In this part, the artist expresses a need for support and companionship, showing vulnerability. He fears being alone, so he clings to someone he cares about to help him through the turmoil.

There’s a sense of dependency on the person he’s speaking to. The artist believes that if they stay by his side, he’ll be able to navigate through his struggles and come out okay.

When the person left, it triggered emotional distress. The artist couldn’t sleep, highlighting the intensity of his feelings and the importance of this relationship.

The artist talks about resorting to drügs (Percocet) as a way to numb his pain when feeling abandoned. It shows the lengths he goes to cope with emotional hurt, even though it’s unhealthy.

This line further expresses the desperation to escape reality through substances, with the artist even fearing for his life. He’s not just looking to get high but is deeply trapped in his pain.

There’s a sense of hope or wishful thinking here, as the artist contemplates death. He imagines reuniting with the person in the afterlife, as if this connection transcends life.

This line seems to represent a desire to escape further, using substances (qua’qua’ or a reference to codeine syrup) while asking the person to stay with him. The artist wants to forget everything and take a break from the pain.

The artist longs for an escape—a vacation where they can leave all the problems, drama, and emotional struggles behind. It’s an idealized escape from his troubles.

This repetition emphasizes the intense desire to escape from reality and find peace, even if it’s temporary.

The artist repeats that nitrous doesn’t truly help him deal with the issues he’s facing. It’s just a temporary escape, not a real solution.

This line comes up again to emphasize that his need for euphoria is not related to a person but rather a desire for relief from emotional pain.

The desperation for the person to stay by his side continues, highlighting how much the artist depends on this person for emotional support.

There’s a hint of hope here that if the person stays, things could improve, and he might be able to handle things better.

The artist repeats his struggle with substance abuse, as he uses drügs to cope with the overwhelming emotions and to deal with the fear of death.

He holds onto the idea of reuniting with this person in the afterlife, even in the darkest moments.

The same plea for the person to stay and escape with him is repeated, reflecting his desire to avoid facing reality.

The escape fantasy continues, as the artist dreams of leaving everything behind to find solace somewhere far away.