Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, appears to be stepping away from his illustrious music career. On July 9, rapper Rich The Kid shared a text message exchange with Ye, where the music mogul hinted at his retirement from the music industry.
“I am retiring from professional music. Not sure what else to do,” Ye wrote in the message, expressing uncertainty about his future endeavors.
Rich The Kid responded with encouragement, attempting to dissuade Ye from retiring. “Retire? Why? How? The ppl NEED you. The music you & Ty & we have made the BIGGEST STAMP in culture to this date in 2024. Drop Ye about mine & V2 and we do it all over again. The kids need you big bra fasho. Maybe some time to chill but retiring ain’t it.”
The exchange was later deleted from Rich The Kid’s Instagram Story, but not before sparking a wave of reactions from fans. Many were stunned at the thought of Ye retiring, with one fan writing on X, “BOOOOOOOOOO NEVER Ngl I never thought I would hear him use the word retirement in life.”
Another fan added, “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.”
Despite the announcement, some fans speculated that this could be a marketing tactic ahead of a new project. Supporting this theory, Rich The Kid later revealed that his album “Life’s A Gamble” is set to drop on July 19, featuring Ye on two tracks, “Gimme a Second 2” and “Plain Jane.” Ye and Ty Dolla $ign are also listed as executive producers.
Additionally, Ty Dolla $ign announced plans for a listening party in South Korea on August 23, further casting doubt on Ye’s retirement claims. The event, set to be held at Goyang Stadium, promises to bring the Vultures experience to fans, with tickets going on sale later in July.
Ye’s potential departure from music marks the end of an era for an artist who has achieved monumental success over two decades. With 157 Hot 100 entries and 21 top 10 hits, Ye’s impact on the music industry is undeniable. Despite recent controversies, his latest project, Vultures, topped the Billboard 200 earlier this year, proving his enduring influence.
As fans grapple with the news, many hope that Ye’s retirement is merely a temporary hiatus, allowing him to return with even more groundbreaking music in the future.
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