Megan Thee Stallion Sheds Her Trauma With "Cobra" — What the Vulnerable Song Means

Megan Thee Stallion is ready to start a new chapter. On Nov. 3, the "Her" rapper returned to music with her first solo single of 2023, "Cobra," which is also her first solo release since 2022's "Traumazine." Megan teased her resurgence on Oct. 12 when she posted a series of graphics on social media that featured a cobra, spelling out "Act One." She then shared the first snippet of her new single on Oct. 23, telling fans over its rock instrumental, "As a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past, over and over again."

Per a press release shared with POPSUGAR, Megan's "Cobra" marks a "revitalized chapter in the Houston native's career" for several reasons. For one, the song is the first release under the Grammy-winning rapper's new independent music and entertainment entity, Hot Girl Productions, following her long legal battle with her former label, 1501 Certified Entertainment. "Cobra" also signifies the importance of Megan shedding her past and starting anew after experiencing several tragedies — including the death of her parents and grandmother, and the public outrage and criticism of being shot by Tory Lanez, of which the latter was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Megan's music comeback arrived months after she made her return to the stage at events like March Madness, Essence Fest, and even Beyoncé's "Renaissance" tour. Most recently, she teamed up with Cardi B for their second collaboration, "Bongos," which they performed at the 2023 MTV VMAs in September. Megan also made her big-screen debut the following month, appearing in her first film, "Dicks: The Musical." She also had a voice role in "Big Mouth" season seven, which premiered on Oct. 20.

While Megan took her time easing back into the public eye and music, it seems she's ready for a fresh start as she's already teased her next album. She told Billboard in September, "I feel like I'm finally closing all the old chapters and now I'm starting with a blank slate. Very fresh, very new. I think the Hotties are gonna be so excited."

Part of Megan's clean slate includes airing out her innermost thoughts on "Cobra," which she does with vulnerable, poignant lyrics. Ahead, we break down the song's powerful meaning as well as its symbolic music video.

Even before "Cobra" dropped, Megan was clear about the song's meaning. On Nov. 1, she shared a note on X (formerly Twitter) that reads, "Cobras exemplify courage and self-reliance. They stand tall and fierce in the face of challenges, teaching one to tap into their inner strength and rely on oneself to conquer their threats. Emulating the cobra helps one be more confident in the person they are within."

Translating that to the song's lyrics, "Cobra" is Megan's way of addressing all the hurt and pain she's endured, both privately and publicly, while also reclaiming her power by admitting her struggles. The track largely digs into her depressed state of mind, which she's been candid about previously, while the first verse reveals suicidal thoughts she's had and how she copes with alcohol sometimes. She raps lyrics like, "At night, I'm sittin' in a dark room thinkin' / Probably why I always end up drinkin' / Yes, I'm very depressed / How can somebody so blessed wanna slit they wrist?"

"Cobra"'s chorus also seems to point out the fact that the song is quite different from Megan's previous explicit releases, many of which lean into the pussy rap lane. This time, it's much more somber. "This pussy dеpressed, hmm, I'm about to stress him, yеah / Pink nails 'round his neck, huh, but this ain't domestic, ayy / Think it's goin' down, hah, now he stand corrected, ayy," she raps. This isn't Megan's first time getting vulnerable, though. Most notably, her "Traumazine" song "Anxiety" talks a lot about her mental health and also helped the rapper launch her mental health platform last year called "Bad B*tches Have Bad Days Too."

The second verse of "Cobra" continues with Megan being honest about grief and hitting "rock bottom" while also addressing haters who have been "plottin'" her downfall. But more notably, the verse also appears to hint at the reason behind Megan's rumored breakup from producer Pardison "Pardi" Fontaine, whom she went public with in February 2021. Lyrics like, "Pulled up, caught him cheatin', gettin' his d*ck sucked in the same spot I'm sleepin'," have many fans theorizing that Fontaine cheated on Megan amid her and Lanez's shooting trial, which the producer spoke out about in December 2022. Neither have confirmed a split yet but Megan's scathing lyrics have fans convinced infidelity was involved.

Overall, "Cobra" is a direct track about Megan overcoming hardship and shedding her troubles, and her scaly music video depicts that exactly. From escaping the jaws of a giant cobra and facing it head-on to literally shedding her skin as spectators watch and snap photos, the "Cobra" visual is loaded with visible and subliminal meanings.

Watch the music video and check out Megan's revealing "Cobra" lyrics ahead.

VERSE 1
Breakin' down and I had the whole world watchin'
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 gettin' paid, right?
Everything'll be okay, right?
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 drinkin'
Yes, I'm very depressed
How can somebody so blessed wanna slit they wrist?
Shit, 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

CHORUS
This pussy dеpressed, hmm, I'm about to stress him, yеah
Pink nails 'round his neck, huh, but this ain't domestic, ayy
Think it's goin' down, hah, now he stand corrected, ayy
This pussy depressed, hmm, I'm about to stress him, ah

VERSE 2
Ayy, damn, I got problems
Never thought a b*tch like me would ever hit rock bottom
Man, I miss my parents, way too anxious, always cancel my plans
Pulled up, caught him cheatin', gettin' his d*ck sucked in the same spot I'm sleepin'
Lord, give me a break, I don't know how much more of this shit 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 speakin' on me at my lowest when you acted like you ain't noticed?
I was trippin', goin' crazy
And they lowkey hatin', so they ain't gon' say sh*t
Damn, I finally see it
I'm killin' myself when b*tches would die to be me

CHORUS
This pussy depressed, hmm, I'm about to stress him, yeah
Pink nails 'round his neck, huh, but this ain't domestic, ayy
Think it's goin' down, hah, now he stand corrected, ayy
This pussy depressed, hmm, I'm about to stress him, ah

BRIDGE
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