Kanye West plans retirement from music in screenshots from Rich The Kid: "not sure what else to do"

Ye asserts he is stepping away from his music career in a text exchange with Rich The Kid.

(Image: HipHopDX on X)

On Tuesday, July 9th, Rich The Kid posted a screenshot on Instagram showing a recent conversation he had with the artist formerly known as Kanye West. In the messages below, the Chicago rapper tells Rich that he is leaving the music industry.

Is Ye aka Kanye West retiring from music?

“I’m retiring from professional music,” Ye wrote in the message. 

“Not sure what else to do.”

Rich expressed disbelief at Ye's decision in subsequent texts. “Retire? Why?”  he challenged. “The ppl need you the music you & Ty & we have made was the biggest stamp in the culture to this 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 ain’t it.”

Rich did not disclose Ye's response, if any.

Is Ye aka Kanye West going to release his new album, Vulture 2?

Rappers have frequently announced retirements only to return, so Ye's statement will likely be met with skepticism. If true, this could mean the highly anticipated Vultures 2 album might not be released. 

Vultures 1, the album by Ye and Ty Dolla $ign, dominated the charts upon its February release, including the hit single "Carnival" featuring Playboi Carti and Rich The Kid.

Yet, the anticipated second and third installments that the duo pledged in March and April did not materialize. Ty Dolla $ign confirmed that all tracks for the second album are finished, but there has been no official release date since it was last rumored to be coming out in May. 

Recently, Ye and Ty revealed plans for a Vultures listening event scheduled for August 23 in Korea.