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Nicki Minaj announces she’s ‘retiring from music’ to start a family

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24:  Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Paras Griffin/VMN18/Getty Images for BET)
Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018. (Photo by Paras Griffin/VMN18/Getty Images for BET)

Nicki Minaj shocked fans yesterday when she announced that she is permanently stepping away from music in order to start a family.

On Thursday the US rapper shared the news on her Twitter with a surprisingly casual tweet that simply read: “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, in the box- cuz ain’t nobody checkin me. Love you for LIFE.”

The 36-year-old revealed that she was dating music executive Kenneth Petty back in December 2018.

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Speaking on her popular Queen Radio show in June, the Super Bass hitmaker claimed that she had obtained a marriage licence in the hopes that it’d inspire Petty to pop the question. She also explained that her “end goal” in the relationship was to get pregnant.

Minaj’s association with Petty has proved controversial with fans. Back in 1995, Petty was convicted of attempted rape and has previously spent seven years in prison for manslaughter.

But the Moment 4 Life singer insists she’s finally in “a happy place” with her romantic life.

Nicki Minaj and Little Mix perform on stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2018 held at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, Spain. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS
Nicki Minaj and Little Mix perform on stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2018 held at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, Spain. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS

"I think I have what I was striving for - just happiness. It was so hard,” she added during the radio broadcast.

Just five days ago, she tweeted: “I rlly used to think love had to hurt [sic]. So I could never look down on anyone else.

Read more: Nicki Minaj changes name on Twitter prompting rumours she's secretly wed

“We are merely human. It’s not easy to leave. Especially in the world of IG where all ppl want to do is post relationship goal pics for clout & attention. A man should make you feel safe, not afraid.”

Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Her first two studio albums ‘Pink Friday’ - which was released in November 2010 - and expanded follow-up ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ - which was released two years later - topped the Billboard 200.

Her third record, ‘The Pinkprint’ reached number two as did her fourth, ‘Queen,’ which came out in August 2018.

Across her career, Minaj has received 10 Grammy Awards and collaborated with huge artists such as David Guetta, Justin Bieber, Usher, Kanye West and Madonna.