It's been trending on YouTube and gaining millions of streams daily on Spotify and YouTube. What do the lyrics really mean?
Megan Thee Stallion, an American rapper from Houston, garnered attention by sharing her freestyles in early 2018. A few months later, she signed with 300 Entertainment. During the same year, she recorded "Hot Girl Summer" and "Cash S**t," both of which landed on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2020, she collaborated with Cardi B on "WAP," breaking records and securing positions on the Spotify and Billboard Charts. Her song "Savage" earned three Grammy nominations. Later, she featured on Ariana Grande's remix of "34+35," reaching number two on the Hot 100 list. In 2021, she won two Grammys for "Savage (Remix)" and Best New Artist.
Megan Thee Stallion is a unique artist. She isn't an industry plant but an educated and persevering talent. She utilizes her prominent platform to raise awareness for education, elder care, mental health, and women's empowerment.
Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated proceeds from "Savage" to provide supplies and resources for families in need in Houston. Two years ago, she equipped all students at her former middle school with backpacks and other essentials.
A few weeks ago, she released "Cobra," which became a smashing success. Within hours, it hit Global Charts and YouTube's Trending List and amassed millions of listens. This song transcends Megan's genius lyricisms; it addresses various issues, including a cheating boyfriend, fake friends, and the toxic industry.
Megan poured her soul into this song, and it delivered. Listening to it was like wading through the venom that had left Megan depressed. She didn't just spit bars; she spat out the venom that brought her "rock bottom."
"But the worst part is, really, who watched me?
Every night, I cried, I almost died
And nobody close tried to stop me
Long as everybody getting paid, right?
Everything will be okay, right?"
Megan strikes at her first victim: the toxic music industry. She states that nobody was there at her lowest point. And this isn't the first time we've heard of this.
The thing about the entertainment industry is nothing lasts forever. Everything is volatile. As long as "everybody (is) getting paid," there's nothing to worry about. And she's referring to her self-harm and how, even though people noticed, "nobody close tried to stop (her)."
"I'm winnin', so nobody trippin'
Bet if I ever fall off, everybody go missin'
At night, I'm sittin' in a dark room thinkin'
Probably why I always end up drinking."
She takes off this camouflage in this verse and shows her friends' true colors. Everybody's on the same page as long as Megan's winning, but everyone leaves when something happens. She's calling out the fake friends disguised as snakes, hence the song's name. This verse is genius because it connects to the previous verse, "But the worst part is really who watched me?"
"Yes, I'm very depressed.
How can somebody so blessed wanna slit they wrist?
S**t, I'd probably bleed out some Pinot.
When they find me, I'm in Valentino, ayy
He pourin' me shots, thinkin' it's lit
Hah, little did he know."
Megan continues to call out her toxic relationships and her toxic disguise with clever rhymes. All alone, she's crying and drinking, but when she heads out, the paparazzi sees her in luxurious clothing. Beneath the Valentino is Megan struggling, and no one seems to care. The alcohol is a distraction from everything, making everyone "thinkin' it's lit."
"Ayy, da**, I got problems
Never thought a b***h like me would ever hit rock bottom
Man, I miss my parents, way too anxious
always cancel my plans
Pulled up, caught him cheatin'."
She's shell-shocked. The industry told her everything would be perfect "as long as everybody (is) getting paid." But at what cost? At the cost of gripping anxiety, the estrangement between her parents, and the venomous people that are always around her. Speaking of venomous people, she continues to call out her cheating ex.
"Lord, give me a break, I don't know how much more of this s**t I can take (ayy)
How long you been worried 'bout me, tellin' people that's not me?
Honestly, it kinda feel like you plottin', watchin'
Why is you speaking on me at my lowest when you acted like you ain't noticed?
I was tripping, going crazy
And they lowkey hatin',
so they ain't gon' say sh*t
D**n, I finally see it. I'm killin' myself when b****es would die to be me."
In her final strike, Megan kills the enemy. Although Megan mentions throughout the song that there are multiple enemies. The mask the paparazzi and industry forced her to wear, the toxic relationships she's been in, the anxiety that holds her back, and the snakes all around her, who've always been "lowkey hating." She leaves a message to those who want to be her. It isn't as perfect as it seems.
"I ain't goin', yeah, no emotion, ayy
Back outside, yeah, back in motion, ayy
He keep callin', hmm, I ignore it, ayy
He say I'm crazy, hmm, don't I know it, ah."
Keep hating - because Megan doesn't care. After months of respite, she's done chasing this false persona and wants to be understood loudly and clearly. This song is directed to the haters, especially the discreet ones.
The snakes that lurk around her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The anxiety manages to have a hold on her and manages to diminish her identity. She will strike back. Megan is the queen cobra!
