Megan Thee Stallion’s “Cobra” Makeup Has a Much Deeper Meaning

Megan Thee Stallion released her latest single, “Cobra,” on Nov. 3, and hotties everywhere are seeing the rapper in a new light. The song’s lyrics detail the artist’s battle with depression and suicidal ideation as she recounts everything from being violently assaulted by a former friend to the deaths of many of her family members.

The visuals for the music video all revolve around the idea of rebirth, using a cobra as symbolism. From faux fangs to reptilian contacts, the rapper punctuates each part of the story by either confronting snakes or being surrounded by them. At one point, she also mimics the process of ecdysis, or when the animal sheds its skin. During this portion of the video, Megan removes her outer layer while being trapped in a box and surrounded by people recording her without consent.

“When we were deciding on looks for this video, we knew that we wanted dewy textures with a more natural intention throughout,” that star’s makeup artist Lauren Elise Child tells POPSUGAR. Child adds, “We collaborated on interesting details we could add that emulated a snake,” noting that she took inspiration from its fangs, skin texture, and shapes. The intention, Child says, was to keep the skin looking as natural and glossy as possible while working with the special effects that would come later. This was the key to keeping the looks believable and not too costume-like.

Ecdysis is extremely dangerous for snakes, as they are typically left partially blind and highly susceptible to attacks. Megan’s re-creation is a clear sign that she is finding herself and becoming a new person, even though the last few years have left her in a particularly vulnerable place. It’s a journey that many people can relate to. Still, most don’t have to navigate it in such a public way, which makes the rapper all the more brave for sharing. Watch the full “Cobra” music video below.