Hip-Hop
Kanye Says He’s Retiring From Music In Alleged Text Exchange Shared By Rich The Kid
Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, seems to be stepping back from his music career. On Tuesday (July 9), Rich The Kid shared an alleged text message from Ye, in which he expressed his intention to retire from professional music.
“I am retiring from professional music. Not sure what else to do,”
Ye wrote, seemingly in a state of uncertainty.
Rich The Kid responded, trying to change Ye’s mind:
“Retire? Why? How? The people NEED you. The music you, Ty, and we have made has left the BIGGEST STAMP on culture to date in 2024. Drop Ye about mine & V2, and we do it all over again. The kids need you, big bra. Maybe some time to chill, but retiring isn’t it.”
The “New Freezer” rapper deleted the text exchange featuring Ye’s alleged retirement from his Instagram Story about a half-hour after posting it.
Fans were shocked by the idea of Kanye stepping away from music. One person replied on X, “BOOOOOOOOOO NEVER. I never thought I would hear him use the word retirement.” Another fan wrote, “That’s what happens when people don’t respect your genius. If it is true, Ye should be mentioned with the greats of all time. An artist before anything.”
However, some fans are skeptical and believe this could be a marketing strategy leading up to his next album or project.
Rich The Kid later announced that his album, Life’s A Gamble, is arriving next Friday (July 19) and features West on “Gimme a Second 2” and “Plain Jane.” Ye and Ty Dolla $ign also serve as executive producers on the project.
“ACTUALLY WE DROPPING FRIDAY 7/19,” Rich The Kid wrote with a series of crying-laughing emojis.
Additionally, Ty Dolla $ign announced over the weekend that he and Ye were planning to bring the Vultures experience to South Korea with a listening party scheduled for August 23 at Goyang Stadium. Tickets are expected to go on sale later in July.
Rich The Kid has collaborated with Ye in the past, appearing on the Vultures anthem “Carnival” alongside Ty Dolla $ign and Playboi Carti, which earned Ye his fifth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Despite recent controversies and releasing music independently, West’s Vultures topped the Billboard 200 in February, marking his 11th project to reach the chart’s apex.
Ye has notched 157 Hot 100 entries over his two-decade career, securing 21 top 10 hits.
Billboard has reached out to Ye’s representative for comment.
