New York: Nicki Minaj on Thursday surprised fans by announcing her retirement from rap, saying she was going to focus on family.
###
The provocative 36-year-old known for hits like “Super Bass” is engaged to music executive Kenneth Petty, and she recently said a wedding is in the cards in the coming months.
###
“I’ve decided to retire & have my family,” tweeted the wildly successful rapper raised in the New York borough of Queens.
###
“I know you guys are happy now,” she continued. “To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me, X in the box — cuz ain’t nobody checkin me.”
###
“Love you for LIFE.”
###
The surprising news fuelled pregnancy rumours that had already been swirling since June after she appeared on a late-night television show and opted against drinking.
###
She went Instagram-official with her partner Petty in December 2018, after rebooting the relationship decades after they were involved as teenagers.
###
The rekindled romance raised eyebrows considering Petty’s criminal past: he is a registered sex offender in New York and was convicted in 1995 of attempted rape.
###
Minaj dismissed criticism of her new relationship, saying “He was 15, she was 16 … in a relationship. But go awf Internet. Y’all can’t run my life. Y’all can’t even run y’all own life. Thank you boo.”
###
‘Walking exaggeration’
###
Minaj’s profanity-laced lyrics, skin-baring music videos and unique, animated flow first catapulted her to fame in 2010.
###
Known for her bold sartorial style that includes neon costumes and wigs, Minaj — whose hits include “Starships,” “Bang Bang” and “Anaconda” — is considered one of rap’s most influential female artists.
###
The Grammy-nominated artist born in Trinidad and Tobago cites Foxy Brown and Jay-Z as major inspirations, and has crafted a lightning-speed sound distinctive for her use of alter egos and accents, especially British cockney.
###
She’s “a sparkling rapper with a gift for comic accents and unexpected turns of phrase,” wrote a New York Times critic in 2018. “She’s a walking exaggeration, outsize in sound, personality and look.”
Click Here: Crystal Palace Shop###
“And she’s a rapid evolver, discarding old modes as easily as adopting new ones.”
###
Her brash personality and penchant for controversy also made Minaj a tabloid regular, especially for a feud at a Fashion Week 2018 after party that saw rap rival Cardi B throw a shoe and allegedly attempt to fight Minaj.
###
Cardi B later said Minaj had dissed her aptitude as a mother.
###
The rap queen’s retirement announcement was a particularly surprising turn of events as Minaj has been quite active in music this summer
###
Last month, she appeared in rising star Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Hot Girl Summer.”
###
In June 2019, she released a single entitled “Megatron” and said she had a new studio album in the works, which would be her fifth.
###
But Minaj is no stranger to spectacle, and some fans wondered on social media whether her retirement announcement was but a marketing strategy ahead of an album drop.
###
“Nicki minaj is deadass lying watch her drop a whole new album featuring Rihanna,” tweeted one user.
###