This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On September 5, 2019, rapper Nicki Minaj surprised her 20 million Twitter followers with a shocking announcement that she was retiring from the music business to 'have my family.'
Minaj, 36 at the time, made the news public despite not previously disclosing her pregnancy or marriage to boyfriend Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty.
"I've decided to retire & have my family. I know you guys are happy now. To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me," the singer wrote in a now-iconic tweet.
Minaj's decision to retire comes after a decade-long career that saw her release her debut album 'Pink Friday' in 2010 and become one of the most influential female rappers in the industry.
With six American Music Awards and a spot on the 2016 Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world, Minaj's impact on the music industry is undeniable.
However, her fans were left stunned by the news, with many taking to Twitter to express their shock and disappointment.
"This is my cue to leave earth," wrote one fan, Bubbles.
Source: Reuters
