iLoveMakonnen Announces His Retirement With Farewell Single

iLoveMakonnen has had an unorthodox career. He became an overnight sensation in 2014, thanks to his breakout single “Tuesday.” The Drake stimulus package was in full effect back then, and iLoveMakonnen was one of the first recipients. The rest of the rapper’s career, however, has been defined by struggle. He decided to close the curtain on his career on September 6. He also confirmed the title of his final single, “Heavy In the Streets.”

iLoveMakonnen issued a statement explaining his decision. He did, however, leave the door open for a return under a different moniker. “I am retiring iLoveMakonnen,” the rapper wrote. “Thank you all for ur support and interests over the years.” iLoveMakonnen decided that it would be better for him to move on and pursue different ventures in his life at the present. His aforementioned single will be a parting gift to fans. “It’s time I move on and go live my life,” he concluded. “Heavy in the streets is my last song.” Now, for some fans, an iLoveMakonnen retirement may sound familiar. It’s because he’s retired once before.

Read More: Lil Peep And ILOVEMAKONNEN Bring Their Talents Together To Make “DIAMONDS”

iLoveMakonnen Attempted Retirement Back In 2016

iLoveMakonnen claimed he was stepping away from the music industry back in 2016. He went on a long Twitter rant about the rap game and why it doesn’t suit him. “I’m retiring for myself,” he explained. “Rap game Wack, everyone flexed up except Makonnen, that’s why I’m retiring. Lol this so good.” There were more tweets about the negativity that he had to endure, especially after terminating his deal with OVO. Interestingly, iLoveMakonnen took the same approach to his 2016 retirement that he’s taking to the new one. He announced he would be leaving, and then dropped a “final” song.

iLoveMakonnen has dropped two studio albums to date, both after his first retirement attempt. He dropped My Parade in 2021 and Summer ’22 in, you guessed it, 2022. He also dropped a full collab album with Lil Peep in 2023 titled Diamonds. Despite his prolificness during this period, the “Tuesday” rapper made it clear he was dissatisfied. “It got to the point where I couldn’t take it no more,” he told Variety last year. “Too much lying and not enough straightforwardness.” We will see if this second retirement actually sticks.

Read More: iLoveMakonnen Thinks Kid Cudi’s “Gay” For Rocking Dress On “Saturday Night Live”

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Lil Peep And ILOVEMAKONNEN Bring Their Talents Together To Make “DIAMONDS”

Lil Peep’s legacy continues to live on with the release of this new posthumous release with ILOVEMAKONNEN. DIAMONDS is not the first example of these two getting in the studio together. On Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2, both rappers appear on a bonus track called “Sunlight On Your Skin.” Following that, in 2019, the pairing released a single, “I’ve Been Waiting,” which made it onto the final product, in the form of an OG version. Furthermore, “November” is on the effort too, with it being the third single. The album is quite long with 21 tracks and nearly hitting the 90-minute mark.

Before Peep’s passing on November 15, 2017, the emo-rap legend announced this project was going to be available. Obviously, though, it has not come out until September 8, 2023. But, the excitement behind this work from Peep was contagious. “When he came home in August, he played those songs for us — over and over. Gus was incredibly proud of those songs,” said Peep’s mother Liza Womack to Rolling Stone.

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Listen To DIAMONDS From Lil Peep And ILOVEMAKONNEN

The chemistry is apparent on this collaboration LP. What is important to note is this is Peep’s last fully completed album, according to his estate. In a statement with Pitchfork, Liza was extremely grateful for MAKONNEN and the whole team for the effort they put into this project so it could be released in the way Peep would have wanted it to be. She says, “I am very grateful to Makonnen not only for his patience, grace, and fortitude, but also for the tenderness with which he re-assembled the original “Diamonds Team” to gently prepare the album for its release. He did an amazing job—they all did. Gus would be so proud to know that this album had come out. He would be grateful to his friends for taking the time and care to do it just right.”

What are your initial thoughts on this brand new collaboration album, DIAMONDS, from Lil Peep and ILOVEMAKONNEN? Did you remember this album was announced before Lil Peep’s passing? How are you liking the project so far? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the hottest album releases and all of the latest breaking news around the music world.

DIAMONDS Tracklist:

  1. Smokin’
  2. IDGAF 2
  3. Favorite Drug
  4. Hypnotized
  5. Ballin’
  6. Really Loving You
  7. November
  8. Guiltiness
  9. Prove My Love
  10. Sidelines
  11. I’ve Been Waiting – OG Version
  12. Rent To Pay
  13. I Sell Cocaine
  14. That Juice
  15. Twisted
  16. Nasty Names
  17. Kiss Me
  18. Cry Baby 2
  19. Hocus Pocus
  20. Cruise With You
  21. Diamond Piano Freestyle (Outro)

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ILoveMakonnen Called Out Post Malone, Swae Lee, And Metro Boomin’ For Ghosting Him For Years

Nine years ago, rapper ILoveMakonnen dropped his breakthrough single, “Tuesday.” The song proved to be a viral hit for Makonnen, especially on platforms like the six-second video-sharing network, Vine, and resulted in him signing to Drake’s OVO imprint. But Makonnen was eventually dropped from OVO when he couldn’t recreate the success of “Tuesday.”

Last week, Makonnen and rapper Youngboy Never Broke Again dropped “Parasites,” a collab that’s already proving buzzy. So much so, that Metro Boomin’ — who co-produced “Tuesday” with Sonny Digital — reached out to him via Instagram DM. Swae Lee and Post Malone also reached out, however, it appears Makonnen wasn’t really thrilled about them hopping on the bandwagon.

Makonnen shared a carousel on Instagram, which featured screenshots of conversations he had previously had with the three. In the conversations, it appears Makonnen had reached out to the artists over the years, only to be ignored.

“I’m HIM and I Been HERE!,” said Makonnen. “I ain’t do sh*t to yall! Y’all turned y’all back on me and held hands together, unfollowed me and everything, now y’all see me with YB…and start hitting me up like it’s all good. Damn, That sh*t painful to see, especially after we came up together in Atlanta in 2014.”

At the time of writing, only Swae has responded to the post. He took to the comments to express disappointment in the fact that Makonnen chose to address the situation publically.

“We can chop it up anytime you see me though,” said Swae. “I don’t do the public drama sh*t, stay up.”

Makonnen then insisted that there is no beef, and that he still maintains admiration for Swae, Post, and Metro.

“well chop it up, it’s love it’s just a conversation,” said Makonnen, “dont be mad that the only way I get support is if some drama going on, u know the music fire, and u know everybody been tryna deny it. It ain’t no beef. U stay up too.”

Youngboy Never Broke Again is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Who Is ILoveMakonnen? All About The “Tuesday” Hitmaker

When we speak of contemporary artists who have carved their distinctive niche in the music industry, ILoveMakonnen stands tall as an archetype. Born as Makonnen Sheran in Los Angeles, California, his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, when he was a teen. Makonnen has honed a unique sound that blends the boundaries of hip-hop, R&B, and indie music.

ILoveMakonnen shot to prominence in 2014 when Drake remixed his song “Tuesday,” which subsequently skyrocketed to the top of the charts, earning him a Grammy nomination. This collaboration not only amplified ILoveMakonnen’s profile but also solidified his reputation as a compelling artist in the modern music landscape.

A Mounting Career

After his explosive entrance into the mainstream, ILoveMakonnen made a crucial move. He signed with OVO Sound in 2014, Drake’s label, demonstrating his savvy readiness to align himself with influential music entities. However, he eventually left the label, citing creative differences. He accused the team of delaying his album.

Additionally, ILoveMakonnen has never been an artist to stay in one lane. His music constantly evolves, exploring diverse sonic landscapes and lyrical themes. He is open about his struggles with mental health, contributing to the broader conversation about these issues in the music industry. His honesty, both in his music and his public persona, has earned him a dedicated fanbase.

Noteworthy Collaborations

ilovemakonnen
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 04: ILoveMakonnen performs on stage on Day 1 of Born And Bred Festival at Haggerston Park on June 4, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

Outside of his solo work, ILoveMakonnen has made a name for himself through notable collaborations. He’s worked with artists ranging from Gucci Mane to Fall Out Boy, proving his versatility and ability to meld with various music styles. These collaborations not only expand his musical repertoire but also contribute to his financial success.

On the business front, ILoveMakonnen has notched an impressive array of deals and ventures. His collaborations with brands like Red Bull and Alexander Wang highlight his appeal beyond music, marking him as a cultural influencer. These partnerships add another income stream, demonstrating his understanding of the entertainment business’s multi-dimensional nature.

In 2023, ILoveMakonnen continues to make waves, maintaining a robust presence in the music scene while pursuing new business endeavors. From his self-released music on Myspace to his Grammy nomination and beyond, ILoveMakonnen’s story is a study of staying true to oneself in the face of fame.

Challenging Hip Hop Norms

But beyond his career milestones, it’s essential to recognize ILoveMakonnen as a trailblazer in terms of representation. He publicly came out as gay in 2017, a courageous step in a genre that has often struggled with homophobia. His openness about his sexuality has paved the way for greater inclusivity in the hip-hop community.

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