Session 333: Some Thoughts On Megan Thee Stallion's "Cobra"

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

A few weeks ago, Megan Thee Stallion released her first self-funded title, "Cobra", which shares a glimpse into how she's been feeling the past few years and some of the mental health challenges she's experienced. I was very moved by the song and wanted to share a few thoughts for consideration. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, a weekly
conversation about mental health, personal development, and all the small
decisions we can make to become the best possible versions
of ourselves. I'm your host, Doctor Joy hard and Bradford,
a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information or

(00:32):
to find a therapist in your area, visit our website
at Therapy for Blackgirls dot com. While I hope you
love listening to and learning from the podcast, it is
not meant to be a substitute for a relationship with
a licensed mental health professional. Hey, y'all, thanks so much

(00:57):
for joining me for session three, p. Thirty three of
the Thing for Black Girl's podcast. We'll get right into
our conversation after a word from our sponsors. A couple
of weeks ago, the original Hot Girl, Megan V. Stallion,

(01:20):
began to tease that her first self funded project as
a newly independent artist was coming on November three and
would be called Cobra. Now. I had no idea what
it would be, but was very excited to celebrate this
new milestone for her, but to also hear what she
would share in this first solo piece. After several years
of painful and traumatic experiences. What I heard when I

(01:45):
press play blew me away. Yes, of course the beat
is infectious, but the level of vulnerability from which she
shares is what actually stopped me in my tracks. Let
me just highlight some of the sentiments that grab me first.
This idea that there were all of these people around her,

(02:07):
yet she felt so alone dealing with so many painful things.
This idea that people were only around because they were
being paid or for what she could offer them. And
I know she's not the only one that has felt
that way, That the pain you're carrying feels so heavy
and surely someone notices, surely someone will help, and then

(02:34):
they just don't. You're invisible. As I listened, I felt
deeply for how lonely it must have felt, and maybe
even still does, to be on top of the world,
everybody watching, and feeling like people aren't actually cheering you on,
but may even be waiting on your downfall. She talks

(02:57):
about feeling suicidal in the wake of what she's feeling,
and about drinking to try and cope with what she's feeling.
She also asks a question that I think many in
our community have asked when struggling with depression. How can
somebody so blessed want to kill themselves? Feeling blessed and
grateful for what you have does not mean that you

(03:20):
might not also feel depressed and maybe even suicidal. It's
important for us to remember that mental health concerns can
impact all of us, regardless of celebrity status, income level,
marital status, etc. She then goes on to further outline
some of the stressors she's experienced in the past several years,

(03:43):
including the loss of her parents, infidelity, and while she
doesn't mention it, we also know she's experienced being shot
and going through a grueling public court case where many
did not believe her, say it disgusting things about her,
and publicly berated her. She asks, Lord, give me a break.

(04:06):
I don't know how much more of this I can
take again, a refrain that probably feels familiar to many
of us, not feeling like we can survive one more
thing happening. She ends the song by saying he say
I'm crazy, do not know it? And sis, No, you

(04:29):
are not crazy. You are a human having a human
reaction to multiple stresses in your life. It would be
hard for me to believe someone experiencing things similar to
what you've experienced would not be struggling. So, Meg, if
you happen to hear this, I'm so so sorry that

(04:51):
you've experienced so many painful things in your life, and
I am so proud of you for taking a space
to share your story in this way. I hope that
this further clears the path for your healing and that
you can feel the love and support from so many
of us who are rooting you on and are grateful

(05:13):
that you're still here. In an Instagram post advertising the song,
Meg included a paragraph that shares what I assume is
the reason she titled this project Cobra. It states Cobra's
exemplify courage and self reliance. They stand tall and fierce

(05:33):
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. This is all good and it's important,
but what I truly, truly want is for this not

(05:56):
to have to be the case. What I want for Meg,
and what I want for all of us, is a
circle of support that walks with us through our toughest
moments a soft place to land so that we don't
always have to be tough. Self reliance is great. It's
a needed skill, but so is being there for our

(06:18):
people and being able to ask for and rely on
others for help. Cobra really spoke to me both as
a black woman and as a psychologist who works with
black women. It is a brave display of vulnerability in
a world that would rather us be silent, and an

(06:39):
honoring of a personal truth, even though I'm sure it
was really hard to share. When you can, I'd invite
you to listen to Cobra and then spend some time
journaling about anything that resonates with you or anything that
comes up for you as you listen. We can help
to honor megstory by tapping in a little more fully

(07:02):
to our own. As always, I'd love to hear your
thoughts about the song or any comments you have related
to what I've shared here. Please share them with us
using the hashtag TVG in Session, or you can message
me directly. I'm at hello, doctor Joy across the socials,
and don't forget to text this episode to two of

(07:23):
your girls so that they can check it out as well.
If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check
out our therapist directory at Therapy for Blackgirls dot com
slash directory. And if you want to continue digging into
this topic or just be in community with other sisters,
come on over and join us in the Sister Circle.

(07:43):
It's our cozy corner of the Internet designed just for
black women. You can join us at community dot Therapy
for Blackgirls dot com. This episode was produced by Frida Lucas,
Elise Ellis, and Zaria Taylor. Editing was done by Dennison Bradford.
You yall so much for joining me again this week.
I look forward to continuing this conversation with you all

(08:05):
real soon. Take good care what