Kanye West now also known as Ye has hinted at retiring from his rap career, texting his collaborators that he's "run out of gas." On Tuesday, Rich The Kid shared a message from Ye saying, "I am retiring from professional music." A source told TMZ Hip Hop that Kanye feels drained from putting so much into the music industry, despite his recent success with the "Vultures 1" album and "Carnival" single topping the charts.
Limelight Fatigue
Could Kanye be suffering from what can be termed "limelight fatigue," a condition where extreme and prolonged exposure to media and public scrutiny wears down even the most resilient celebrities. For years, Kanye has been a constant presence in the spotlight, giving his heart, soul, time, and energy to his craft and the public eye.
Going Out On His Own Termes
Ye might be trying to leave the limelight on his own terms. He has been subjected to several cancellation attempts by cancel culture over the past two decades. It all started with the Taylor Swift VMAs incident in 2009 when Ye infamously interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, claiming that Beyoncé deserved the award. Then the George Bush Comments in 2005: During a live telethon for Hurricane Katrina relief, Kanye declared, "George Bush doesn't care about Black people", shocking viewers. In a TMZ interview in 2018, Kanye stated that 400 years of slavery "sounds like a choice," sparking outrage in the Black community. Kanye's outspoken support for Donald Trump, wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, alienating fans. Kanye's public struggles with bipolar disorder and erratic behavior has led to concern and criticism. His candidness about his mental health has sparked both sympathy and skepticism. Kanye faced severe backlash and professional consequences for comments about the jewish community in interviews and on social media. This led to major brands, including Adidas, severing ties with him, significantly impacting his business ventures. Last but not least there's Kanye's tumultuous relationship with Kim Kardashian, with both parties airing private issues in public. These scandals have brought Kanye to the brink of cancellation multiple times, yet he maintains a career marked by both immense creativity and profound success.
Close Friends Surprised
Rich The Kid and Consequence were surprised by the news, especially since they have upcoming releases featuring Kanye. Rich's "Life's a Gamble" album, including the track "Plain Jane" with Ye, drops July 19, while Consequence's "No Apologies" also features Kanye. Despite his retirement talk, Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign recently announced plans to stream the "Vultures 2" album from South Korea. This announcement has left fans and collaborators alike wondering if Kanye's retirement will be permanent or if it's just a temporary break to recover from his "limelight fatigue."
Fellow artist Consequence supports Kanye's decision, highlighting his unmatched contributions to hip hop. He pointed out that Kanye's legacy is secure, with classic collaborations like "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" and Beyoncé's "Party" standing the test of time. Kanye's influence on the music industry is undeniable, and his impact will be felt for generations, whether he continues to make music or not.