Kanye West opens up about childhood incestuous relationship with male cousin: ‘I told him we wouldn’t ‘look at dirty magazines together” |

Kanye West, now known as Ye, has caused a stir by sharing a deeply personal story from his childhood. He revealed that he had a sexual relationship with his cousin until he was 14. Ye explained that this experience influenced his upcoming song, “Cousins,” which is about his cousin, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a pregnant woman.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 21, Ye shared these claims, sparking immediate backlash and raising concerns about his mental well-being. His revelations about his childhood, including exposure to inappropriate content, led to discomfort and discussions about trauma. Many called for more sensitivity and suggested seeking professional support.
Ye shared that his upcoming song, “Cousins,” is inspired by his cousin, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a pregnant woman. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 21, he revealed that the song reflects on their past, including a moment when he told his cousin they would no longer “look at dirty magazines together.”
Ye suggested that his early exposure to explicit material might have played a role in shaping traumatic events in his life. He recalled finding adult magazines in his mother’s closet, which he described as being different from those his father had. Ye reflected on his past actions, feeling a sense of responsibility for introducing his cousin to such material at a young age.
Ye’s post, which included a graphic statement about his relationship with his cousin, quickly went viral, drawing significant backlash and concern. Many social media users expressed discomfort and raised questions about his intentions and mental state. Some speculated that the confession was an attempt to bring attention to childhood abuse that often goes unspoken.
Ye has previously been open about his mental health struggles but has not provided any additional clarification or follow-up on his recent post. At this time, there has been no public confirmation of legal action or responses from family members. This latest controversy adds to a pattern of unpredictable behavior from Ye in recent years.
Earlier in April, Kanye apologized to Jay-Z for a message he posted on social media that questioned the mental capacity of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s twins, Rumi and Sir Carter. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 10, Kanye expressed regret, saying he felt bad about his tweet but still believed he had given his all to the music industry. He also shared feelings of betrayal, claiming that when he truly needed support, many people in the rap industry had not been there for him.