On Nov. 3, Megan Thee Stallion released her comeback single “Cobra” after a year of not releasing music, besides the collab “Bongos” with Cardi B. Many fans patiently awaited Megan’s return by sending endless love and support to the “Savage” rapper as she takes time to herself and explores new relationships. However, with Meg announcing her comeback, it’s safe to say that me and many others couldn’t wait for the return of the Hot Girl Summer originator. If you’re like me, you probably had a few questions and wondering behind the “Cobra” music video meaning. Thankfully, social media saved the day and provided me with much-needed context.
The release of “Cobra” sent social media into a much-needed frenzy. With the content of the lyrics, countless listeners pointed out the relatable nature of the song. However, what made the most noise was the music video and the meaning of the visuals. The music video showcased Megan emulating the titular snake and featured references that fans have caught onto.
First off, in the beginning of the video, Meg is seen crawling out the throat of the cobra. Many anime fans pointed out that this scene replicates the character Orochimaru from Naruto, who also crawled out the mouth of a snake. With Megan being an anime fan herself, it was pretty clear that this was done intentionally. In ancient Japanese culture, the snake symbolized continuous rebirth. And Orochimaru’s true form in Naruto is a snake that represents the death of his parents. So, Megan probably included this scene in the beginning of her music video to showcase her “rebirth” as a new artist after over a year between projects.
In addition, another scene in the video that went viral was of Megan sitting in a glass box, “shedding” a layer of her skin while people watch and record. A common practice in snakes is the shedding of the skin. This shedding happens because the skin may be worn out or doesn’t fit the snake anymore; therefore, it has to be removed. Another reason why snakes shed is because of parasites that may be harmful for the snake. This process is usually strenuous for a snake but has to be done in order for them to live comfortably. Therefore, what this scene in the video probably symbolizes is that Megan is shedding her old self in order to reveal a new layer. Not to be dramatic, but this is the most powerful thing I’ve ever seen.
Megan Thee Stallion took the concept of storytelling, imagery, and symbolism to a whole new level with the “Cobra” music video. This video is 100% different from anything she has put out previously, and definitely is a tribute to the “rebirth” era that we are seeing from her. Speaking for myself, I am extremely proud of the development Meg has shown and I absolutely can’t wait to see what the rest of the era entails!