Who is Kanye West’s Cousin?

Kanye West’s cousin, who remains unnamed in public reports, is currently incarcerated for life due to a murder conviction. According to West’s recent song and social media posts, this cousin was involved in a childhood sexual relationship with him, a revelation that has shocked fans and raised questions about the cousin’s identity. However, no official records or statements have identified him by name, likely to protect privacy or due to legal constraints.

Kanye’s song “COUSIN” spills childhood secrets tied to a cousin locked up for life

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kanye shared disturbing details from his youth, including a sexual relationship with his cousin. The song contains explicit lyrics like, “I gave my cousin head,” and references to acting out scenes from adult magazines they found as children.

West wrote: “This song is called COUSIN 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… I sucked my cousin’s d**k till I was 14.”

He also mentioned that while his father had Playboy magazines, the ones he discovered in his mother’s closet were different, possibly more graphic. The track’s accompanying music video includes controversial imagery, such as a topless woman with swastikas for nipples, sparking widespread outrage.

Kanye West’s Cousin Crime and Sentence

While the cousin’s name has never been publicly revealed, available information paints a grim picture. Convicted at 17 for murdering a pregnant woman, he received a double life sentence, meaning he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Kim Kardashian, West’s ex-wife, first brought attention to this case in her 2020 documentary, Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project. Speaking with Marc Howard, president of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, she highlighted the cousin’s youth at the time of the crime and the severity of his punishment.

She recounted a conversation with West’s aunt, who said, “I’m not even that distraught anymore. Like, that’s just what happens to the kids in our neighborhood”.

West himself referenced his cousin in a 2018 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, expressing love for him despite the crime, suggesting a deep familial bond complicated by guilt and sorrow. The lack of a public name for the cousin limits further details, but the crime’s severity and the family’s resigned acceptance underscore systemic issues in the justice system and underserved communities.

Public and Media Reaction

West’s confession has elicited a spectrum of responses. On X and other platforms, fans have expressed shock, with some worried about West’s mental health and others condemning the song’s explicit content as exploitative. Mental health advocates have suggested that sharing such traumatic experiences publicly may indicate a need for professional support or a way for West to process guilt. For example, one article notes, “Mental health advocates have also weighed in, suggesting that West’s public sharing of such personal and traumatic experiences could be a cry for help”.

Media outlets have covered the story extensively, with headlines focusing on the incestuous confession and the cousin’s crime. Some defend West’s right to artistic expression, arguing that his music has always pushed boundaries, while others question the appropriateness of airing such personal trauma. The controversial music video has also drawn criticism for its provocative imagery, further polarizing opinions.

Why’s It Blowing Up?

Kanye putting this super private story in a song has fans all over the place. Some on X are like, “Is Kanye okay?” worrying about his mental health. Others think it’s way too personal for a song. The music video’s out-there visuals are getting slammed too. Since we don’t know the cousin’s name, the story feels incomplete, which keeps the buzz going.

What’s the Bigger Picture?

Kanye’s always stirring the pot, and this is no exception. His song makes you think about how rough childhoods can mess people up and how the justice system treats young offenders. Kim’s 2020 comments linked the cousin’s case to bigger issues, like crime traps in poor neighborhoods. Kanye thinking he might’ve played a part is heavy, but experts would say it’s more complicated than that.