Nicki Minaj plays with the Barbz sometimes. Whether it’s her usual social media clap-backs to misinterpreted media conversations, teases of new music or other endeavors, or her reflections on being a superstar, sometimes she outlines a lot of paths before making a final decision. In a few of those cases, this can end up scaring the fanbase, although not for long. For example, the Trinidadian femcee recently held a Stationhead session on Sunday (October 13) in which she spoke on the success of the Pink Friday 2 world tour. Then, she sent her die-hards into fight-or-flight mode by suggesting that she may hang up the mic.
“I am doing a hiatus,” Nicki Minaj expressed on the platform. “But I have the Vogue thing, which I’m very proud and honored to do, and a couple things and then I’ll be taking a little moment to reflect.” Of course, this isn’t the first time that she’s teased a break, whether that’s a permanent step away from music or just a much-needed break from her general industry and career moves. Reportedly, Nicki hinted before that this hiatus could happen after the Pink Friday 2 world tour wrapped up, a reality we now live in.
Nicki Minaj Teases Hiatus During Stationhead Session
However, it turns out that Nicki Minaj was once again feeling the temperature and speaking on possibilities, because she quickly dispelled any hiatus speculation via Twitter. “Ain’t going no mthfkn where,” she responded to a post about her supposed break. “Kiss my a** & HIATUS LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.” “We don’t announce the hiatus Barbz. Crack is whack. We don’t do that,” the 41-year-old followed up in another post. As such, it seems like the Barbz don’t have to worry about her stepping away too much, which is a relief to hear.
Nicki’s Not Going Anywhere
We don’t announce the hiatus Barbz. Crack is whack. We don’t do that. Dem love chat dem no run dem block! Just relax & let what will be…be *dramatic cinematic music begins*
Elsewhere during the weekend, Nicki Minaj thanked everyone who helped her along the way on her PF2 tour in various social media posts. “Barbz. Wow. We did it,” she wrote in one of these posts via Twitter. “Emotional (to say the least). I love you ALL so much. Every single person who came out- from our very 1st show— every country— my incredible team.”
A lot of people are trying to play the role of Drake’s manager and advisor these days following his Kendrick Lamar battle. The latest slightly patronizing take about what his next moves should be comes from Charlamagne Tha God, who discussed his latest career updates on the Brilliant Idiots podcast. These include a Lil Yachty collab that Kai Cenat leaked on his livestream, as well as presumably the 6ix God’s 100 GIGS drop of new songs and BTS material. Despite all the attention on him right now, the Breakfast Club host thinks that he should hang it up for a little bit and then come back.
“Listen, to your point, when the dust settles, it’s not gon’ really be anything,” Charlamagne Tha God told Andrew Schulz, possibly making a specific reference to the Kendrick Lamar beef. “But I think that Drake should go away for, like, a year. And let nostalgia bring him back. Or maybe six months, just take a break.” While there are plenty of reasons as to why the Toronto superstar might want to take a break right now, many see it as a direct result of his perceived loss in the K.Dot battle.
However, Drake already wanted to take a break last year, as he indicated in the For All The Dogs era and at the beginning of the Kendrick Lamar battle. As such, it seems like we just can’t let him go for whatever reason. There’s something to be said about how paradoxical these discussions can be. For example, folks have flip-flopped a lot on whether or not Drizzy is on the clock to respond to a diss, doing too much with his subsequent releases, not doing enough to prove himself… You get the idea.
Regardless of what Charlamagne Tha God thinks, Drake’s recent moves suggest that he isn’t going away anytime soon. Fans are already theorizing as to what his next project will be about thanks to some social media hints. Many fans think that this strategy will work in his favor, and others believe that it won’t do anything to erase the reality of the Kendrick Lamar battle. Only time will tell, so let’s give this debacle even more time to age and anchor itself in rap history.
The vigorous demands of the industry only increase as an artist’s popularity rises, leading many of our favorites to back away from the limelight. This can come in many forms—retirement announcements, disappearing from social media, or simply letting the world know that they need time off. The most recent Hip-Hop-Affiliated artist to announce a break was SZA. The Top Dawg Entertainment songbird took to Xitter to share the news, which didn’t bode over well with her diehard fanbase.
“Yesterday was my last show for a while,” said SZA. “Finally bout to get my life together thank u God.” She didn’t specify what that meant, but SZA has been going almost nonstop since she took over the charts with her hit 2017 debut album, Ctrl. It would take over five years for SOS, her equally successful sophomore effort, to arrive—and there were plenty of frustrated updates from the singer about its execution. Her sold-out tours and packed festival performances have kept her busy, and it seems like SZA is ready for some “me” time.
Yesterday was my last show for a while . Finally bout to get my life together thank u God .
Many of SZA’s peers have also felt the pressure of successful careers, opting for a hiatus. Many of these rappers returned to their professions to earn greater accolades, solidifying themselves as legends. Others remained in the industry in different capacities, while some chose new vocations altogether. Which rapper on hiatus do you want to make a triumphant return?
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 27: Jay Z performs on stage at Air Canada Centre during his Magna Carter World Tour on January 27, 2014 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
Sure, the Roc Nation mogul has appeared on a few tracks here and there in recent years, but Jay-Z has taken a step back from releasing albums to focus on other billionaire ventures. There was that time in 2003 when Hov shared he was officially retiring, but that only lasted a few years before he dropped Kingdom Come. “I was really burnt out that time. I was releasing an album every year — ’96, ’97, ’98. And then in between that, soundtracks, other people’s albums, Roc-A-Fella, touring back-to-back,” he recalled, according to PEOPLE. “And you know, I just looked up one day and I was like, ‘I’m tired.’ I had never been on a vacation until like, I want to say 2000. Like my whole life. And I was just really burnt out at that moment.”
Nicki Minaj
I was in full quarantine/hiatus mode. No social media. Had no clue what was going on in the music world.
She is hailed as a Rap GOAT and has a slew of hits under her belt, but after releasing Queen in 2018, Nicki Minaj went silent. Fans begged her for a follow-up, but the Head Barb-in-Charge was taking time to nurture and grow her family. She and her husband, Kenneth Petty, married in 2019, and in 2020, they welcomed their son, affectionately and publicly known as “Papa Bear.” In 2021, Minaj was back on Xitter answering fans’ questions, and someone wanted to know if the time off benefited her mental health.
“Great question. Yes. It was soooo needed for me,” the rapper responded. “I appreciate u guys so much for waiting. But yea, very much needed that zen for important bonding time w|my son, getting back fluid w|writing & smthn else I don’t want to discuss yet. If u know u know. .”
Eminem
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: Inductee Eminem performs on stage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
An artist who has been transparent about his personal life struggles has been Eminem. Whether he’s opening up old wounds on wax or sitting down for compelling interviews, the Detroit icon has long shared how drug addiction curtailed his life plans for short periods. However, even during his sober journey, Em retreated from releasing music on several occasions. There was a five-year gap between Encore and Relapse, and three years between Recovery and The Marshall Mathers LP 2. It would be another four years before he arrived with Revival, and after dropping Music to Be Murdered By, Eminem waited another four years to give us The Death of Slim Shady, which hit streaming services last month. Some speculate that this most recent album may be his last.
She is currently taking over stages on her Out of This World Tour, continuing to amaze fans after successful decades in the industry. Missy Elliott is celebrated as a top-tier Hip Hop innovator, even being recognized with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She hasn’t necessarily taken a hiatus from music altogether, as her hotmaking production skills have remained essential for many of today’s top-selling artists. However, the last time she dropped a full-length album was 2005’s The Cookbook, and fans may have to wait a tad bit longer for her next arrival.
“When I create something, it’s gotta be special and it can’t just be to throw something out there because I feel like I’m Missy,” Elliott revealed while on The Yo Show. “I gotta feel like what I’m giving fans is 100 percent and that it’s game-changing. I don’t just throw out microwave records.” Nevertheless, Missy promised that new music is on the way. “I just ain’t telling nobody when.”
A beloved, yet controversial figure in Hip Hop is music maven Ms. Lauryn Hill. Emerging as the only woman emcee in The Fugees alongside Pras and Wyclef Jean, Hill would reach greater heights when she went solo. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, her debut and only full-length release, continues to be hailed as the greatest Hip Hop album of all time. That title has been argued for decades, but Hill’s talents stay unmatched. While she has continued to perform worldwide, Hill’s reputation for canceling shows or showing up hours late has permeated the music industry. Most recently, The Fugees announced the cancelation of their tour just days before it was to begin. It’s unclear if Hill will deliver another record anytime soon, but with all that has transpired, some fans aren’t holding their breaths.
Mase
Former Bad Boy rapper Ma$e was at the top of his game in the late 1990s. His debut album, Harlem World, included some of his most memorable hits. Mase’s follow-up record, Double Up, didn’t reach the same success, but it was instrumental in his discography. Only two months before the sophomore album’s arrival, Mase announced his retirement from Rap. He would turn to religion, becoming a pastor and leading a congregation. However, Mase couldn’t stay away and returned to the mic in 2004 with his last album, Welcome Back. Rifts with Sean “Diddy” Combs about music rights would spill over for years, and it looks as if that tension has been settled. These days, Mase continues to enjoy his life outside of music, hosting a sports-centered podcast with former Hip Hop rival, Cam’ron.
Further, in an interview with Complex in March 2024, Mase reflected on his decision to escape the Rap game. Immediately, he said it was the best choice for his life. “Everything now that we see playing out was all the things I escaped. The car, the shine, the Loon, Puff Daddy… The Craig Mack, the Biggie Smalls. So even though I made those decisions and it cost me money, that’s why I got with Killer [Cam] and they gave me the money back. I didn’t lose no money. Destiny.”
Drake
To say that 2024 thus far has been rough for Drake is an understatement. The Pop-Rap icon has dominated the charts from the moment he stepped on the scene with co-signs from Lil Wayne, and he’s developed a career as one of the best in the game. Yet, his beef with Kendrick Lamar became an international moment, resulting in the Pulitzer Prize winner towering with his hit diss track single, “Not Like Us.” Prior to the K.Dot vs. Drizzy Drake whirlwind, the latter had expressed wanting to take a break.
“I probably won’t make music for a little bit,” Drake said while visiting Table for One in October 2023, per Forbes. “I’m going to be real with you. I need to focus on my health, first and foremost, and I’ll talk about that soon enough.” He added, “I’ve been having the craziest problems for years with my stomach,” and shared he will “focus on my health, and I need to get [that] right… I’ma lock the door in the studio for a little bit.”
Beyoncé
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 01: (Editorial Use Only) Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at SoFi Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood)
As one of the biggest stars in the world, it’s only natural that Beyoncé would retreat every so often. The superstar releases a new project every two to three years, working diligently to maintain her reputation as one of the hardest-working entertainers in the business. Her schedule keeps her moving around the world with her entourage in tow—but the mother of three admitted balancing her career and parenthood has been a struggle. The mother of three and her husband, Jay-Z, are billionaires with several other money-making efforts. In 2019, Beyoncé explained to Elle why she needed a year to regroup.
“After having a difficult pregnancy, I took a year to focus on my health,” she revealed. “I have researched information on homeopathic medicines. I don’t just put any prescription in my body. My diet is important, and I use tools like acupuncture, meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises.” Beyoncé added, “The more I mature, the more I understand my value. I realized I had to take control of my work and my legacy because I wanted to be able to speak directly to my fans in an honest way. I wanted my words and my art to come directly from me. There were things in my career that I did because I didn’t understand that I could say no. We all have more power than we realize.”
Logic
Another rapper to pull a pump fake on his retirement is Logic, who elaborately shared with the world in 2020 that he was withdrawing. However, like many of his peers, this retirement was short-lived. Less than a year later, Logic was back to making music. Then, he finished his contract with Def Jam with the release of Vinyl Days. “I really just wanted to be off Def Jam, to be frank,” he told Variety in 2022.
“I did retire, for a little bit, at least in my mind, from the bullsh*t of the music industry. Then, I came to realize that none of this sh*t matters, that I can make music on my terms. So, let’s do that. That’s when I decided to come back from retirement. Last year, I released Bobby Tarantino III, just to get together songs I had, and put them out, then released this new album because I needed to fulfill my deal with Def Jam. With Vinyl Days, I did it in 12 days, and just wanted to have fun.”
Chicago, Illinois rapper cupcakKe is by far and away not your average rapper and Dauntless Manifesto proves that still. Sure, she talks about some stereotypical topics in her music, but the delivery is truly one of a kind. She blew up in the mid 2010s with songs like “Cpr” and “Deepthroat”. Both were so absurd that they went viral online and gave her a semblance of an audience. Presumably, a lot of listeners were not able to take her seriously enough to really stick around. It seems that she was before her time, as now ratchet hip-hop is all the craze right now. Artists like Sexyy Red, Sukihana, and Ice Spice, are just some examples of this. While these three might cite Nicki Minaj as the reason why they became rappers, cupcakKe started this unapologetic wave years ago.
Her lyrics might not seem like a lot on the surface, but she is a true pioneer whether people want to admit it or not. It is why the return of cupcakKe on Dauntless Manifesto is so exciting. After six, long years with no album, her unhinged bars are still bountiful on this fifth studio LP, but the topics are not the typical fare. A day before Dauntless Manifesto arrived, cupcakKe revealed on X what she was bringing to light. “This album speaks on Police Brutality, Body positivity, Racism, Poverty, Suic*de , Self Love, ETC.” What is also so cool about this, is that the instrumentals are always different. “Hip hop , pop, hyper pop, Afro pop, rock” all land here and we cannot be more excited about this tape.
Nicki Minaj is still on top, as she won the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist award at the 2024 BET Awards last night (Sunday, June 30) in Los Angeles. However, a recent social media spat has some Barbz thinking that she might go on another hiatus soon thanks to her reply to a fan’s comment about the Deb Antney situation. For those unaware, Roman’s former manager reached out to Lil Kim to see if she and Nicki could squash their beef. The Trinidadian MC was not happy at all with Antney allegedly going behind her back to set this up, and lamented that she’s not letting her grow on her own.
“Nicki please we don’t need another hiatus,” a fan commented wrote to Nicki Minaj under an Instagram post, and her response is what sent fans into a frenzy. “well thank lil Debbie!!!!” she replied. “Deb refuse to let me grow up. She think I’m a kid, HER kid at that! I’m grown!” The allegedly conflictedIce Spice collaborator had blasted Antney in a lengthy Twitter rant, so we wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more in the tuck.
“Isn’t it funny how you left out the biggest part of the story?” Nicki Minaj wrote to Deb Antney. “I didn’t ask you to do a THING! You told me AFTER THE FACT & I SCREAMED ON YOU & told you if you reach out to ppl now that you’re being seen around me, they will THINK it’s coming FROM ME so to NEVER do that again w/o discussing it with me FIRST. I said I’d never want that & that now she’d think that message came from me which is not cool.
“You laughed it off & said her & foxy should come out I said no,” Nicki Minaj continued. “I’d only want foxy to come out on stage with me, she’s like family to me. No disrespect. God bless everyone & our children!!! Let us all do our thing & thank God for LIFE. Stop using my name for clickbait in 2024. We get it!!!!! I’m dat btch!!!!!! How dare you? Interviews? Chiiiiiiiiiiiiii WOO WEE!!!!! This world, man, this world. Love yourself deeply.”
At this point, Chrisean Rock has become almost synonymous with drama. In recent weeks, however, she’s been noticeably absent from social media. Nowadays, the new mother is keeping a fairly low profile as she awaits Blueface’s release from jail, and focuses on some new endeavors.
Earlier this week, for example, she gave followers a glimpse at her football venture. She also announced that she has new music and other projects coming “soon.” According to her, fans might get even more athletic content from Chrisean on her own streaming service, which has not yet been officially announced. Today, she gave fans yet another eagerly anticipated update on her life, revealing that she can’t wait to reenter the spotlight.
In a clip taken from her Instagram Story, the Baddies star explains that she plans to pop out again soon, adding that she can’t wait for Blueface to get out. She also urges followers to come to her first football game, which is scheduled for the beginning of next month. “It’s so cute how y’all miss me for real, y’all want to post me so bad,” she said. “I’m gonna be outside very soon.” Later in the clip, Chrisean addresses ongoing speculation about her controversial face tattoo, a portrait of her on-and-off-again lover Blueface’s mugshot. Since she debuted in January, some have suspected it’s fake, though she insists it’s totally legit.
“B*tch, I’ve got two sides of my face,” she reminded viewers. “You know damn well this sh*t is not fake. But it’s cool, I can’t wait to drop new music and get in the little drama and sh*t, you know how I be popping sh*t on my internet.” What do you think of Chrisean Rock’s latest update? Do you miss seeing her in the headlines for her antics? What about her Blueface face tattoo? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Comethazine is an artist who burst onto the scene back in 2018 with his now-iconic track “Walk.” At the time, the song was known for its incredible music video that came courtesy of Lyrical Lemonade. Furthermore, the track had skeletal production and murderous bars that made the artist come across as a sociopath. Overall, it was a recipe for success that carried over into the artist’s Bawskeeprojects. For five years, Comethazine remained consistent with his craft, until he just up and left with no explanation.
Yesterday, Comethazine made his return to Instagram for the first time in two years. Fans were pretty stunned to hear from him, however, it was nice to know that he’s doing alright. In fact, it appears as though the artist has come through with a rebrand of sorts. He is now rocking a mustache and is dressing like a ’70s rockstar. Additionally, it looks like he’s been taking some guitar lessons. In the video down below, Comethazine can be heard playing a lick, and it sounds pretty amazing.
As you can imagine, social media was flooded with fans who were shocked by the change. When you think about Comethazine’s early work, it’s hard to imagine him pivoting this hard. That said, it is always cool to watch an artist evolve. Clearly, he has a passion for rock, and he wanted to go away for a couple of years to perfect his craft. Hopefully, he follows this up with a new song or even an album in the not-so-distant future. We’d love to know if he is exploring the rock sound further or if he is simply engaging in some well-thought-out promo.
Fans React
Let us know what you think of the new rebrand, in the comments section below. Are you here for it? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Fredo has set the tone for 2023 with a brand new banger, along with eye-popping visuals.
The “Back To Basics” rapper returned on Thursday with the release of his latest single, “Dave Flow.” An homage to his collaborator and friend, the West London native flexes his lyrical dexterity over haunting instrumental. Though he celebrates the high life, with the visuals showing his adventures in Dubai, it’s also a reflection of his growth and progress. He looks back at his humble beginnings in amazement as a result of how far he’s come in his career. “Still chasin’ money, yeah, I guarantee it/ Went from sofa surfin’ to surfin’ yachts in the Caribbean,” Fredo raps on the song.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: (Editorial Use Only) Fredo performs during day 2 of Wireless Festival 2021 at Crystal Palace on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)
In keeping with the song’s title, Dave’s influence on Fredo evidently comes out over the course of the record. The two built strong chemistry with songs like “Freaky Friday,” “All I Ever Wanted,” and “Money Talks.” But on this one, Fredo punctuates each bar with the type of precision that Dave’s known for. “Dave Flow” is an excellent outing for Fredo that undoubtedly kicks the year off on the right note.
It appears as though we’ll get a new album from Fredo at some point this year. The UK wordsmith came through in late 2022 with the release of “I’m Back.” So it seems like an announcement will come in the near future.
For now, check out Fredo’s latest single, “Dave Flow” below and sound off with your thoughts in the comment section.
Quotable Lyrics Now I got that money in just Dunks And that’s word to Kick Game, now I’m workin’ on the whip game Was pullin’ up and beatin’ whips ’til whip came Now the way the Lambo pulls off and whips could really make a chick claim Neck pains and back pains I got them same pains from all these mad chains
let what will be…be *dramatic cinematic music begins*
.”
(@SaycheeseDGTL) 
