Ye Tells Rich The Kid He's 'Retiring'

Ye says he's done making music.

On Tuesday, July 9, Rich The Kid posted a screenshot of his iMessage conversation with the artist formerly known as Kanye West. At the top of his thread, the award-winning artist tells his "Carnival" collaborator that he plans to stop making music professionally. Rich is shocked by Ye's statement — as any other fan would — and tried to convince him not to quit. He suggested taking some time off, but ultimately told Ye "the kids need you big bra."

"I am retiring from making music professionally," he wrote. "Not sure what else to do."

"Retire?" Rich replied. "Why? How? The ppl NEED you the music you & ty & we have made was 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."

If he's serious, Ye had an incredible career as an MC and a producer. He began his career in the music industry as a beatmaker in 1996 and produced for Chicago artists and even started his own rap group The Go-Getters with GLC, Timmy G, Really Doe, and Arrowstar. After he made music for Foxy Brown and other major artists, Ye started making beats for JAY-Z and other Roc-a-Fella Records signees in 2000.

After he broke out as a rapper in 2004, the 47-year-old delivered 11 solo albums, five mixtapes, and three collaborative albums with JAY-Z (Watch The Throne), Kid Cudi (KIDS SEE GHOSTS) and Ty Dolla $ign (VULTURES 1). At the moment, he has the second and third installments of the VULTURES trilogy on the way, however, it's not clear when those will arrive.