Rich The Kid Says Ye Is Retiring from ‘Professional Music’

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, seems to be contemplating a significant shift in his career. On Tuesday, July 9, rapper Rich The Kid shared a text message from Ye, where he expressed his intention to retire from professional music. “I am retiring from professional music. Not sure what else to do,” Ye wrote, indicating a sense of uncertainty.

Rich The Kid responded, trying to dissuade Ye from such a decision. “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.”

Despite Rich The Kid’s efforts, the post featuring Ye’s retirement message was deleted from his Instagram Story about thirty minutes after it was posted. This brief public revelation left fans in shock and disbelief. “BOOOOOOOOOO NEVER Ngl I never thought I would hear him use the word retirement in life,” one fan responded on X.

Another fan expressed their disappointment, writing, “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.”

Some fans and observers speculate that Ye’s retirement announcement could be a marketing ploy preceding a new album or project. This speculation gained traction as Rich The Kid announced his upcoming album, “Life’s A Gamble,” set to release next Friday, July 19. The album features Ye on tracks “Gimme a Second 2” and “Plain Jane,” with both Ye and Ty Dolla $ign serving as executive producers on the project.

Rich The Kid seemed to confirm the ongoing collaboration with Ye in a follow-up message, “ACTUALLY WE DROPPING FRIDAY 7/19,” accompanied by a series of laughing emojis.

Adding to the complexity, Ty Dolla $ign recently announced plans for a “Vultures” experience in South Korea, with a listening party scheduled for August 23 at Goyang Stadium. Tickets are expected to go on sale later in July.

Ye and Rich The Kid have a history of collaborating, notably on the “Vultures” anthem “Carnival,” which also featured Ty Dolla $ign and Playboi Carti. The track earned Ye his fifth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite facing controversies and releasing music independently this year, Ye continues to achieve significant success. His project “Vultures” topped the Billboard 200 in February, marking his 11th album to reach number one on the chart.

Throughout his career, Ye has accumulated 157 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, placing him sixth in the all-time rankings, with 21 top 10 hits.

Given his track record and enduring influence on the music industry, fans and colleagues alike are eager to see what the future holds for Ye, whether he genuinely intends to retire or has yet another groundbreaking project on the horizon. Billboard has reached out to a representative for Ye for further comments.

Source: Billboard