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Culture September 5, 2019

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

WATCH: Nicki Minaj announces she's retiring from music

Nicki Minaj has just dropped a major bombshell on fans.

The 36-year-old rapper said in a social media post Thursday she's bidding farewell to her storied music career to start a family.

"I’ve decided to retire & have my family. I know you guys are happy now," Minaj, 36, tweeted, before adding, "To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me...love you for LIFE."

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 😘♥️🦄

— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) September 5, 2019

(MORE: Nicki Minaj opens up about her abusive past in new documentary clips)

Unsurprisingly, the internet was sent into a frenzy as fans attempted to gauge the seriousness of the rapper's announcement.

"Retireeee?!?!?! This gotta be a joke pls," fellow rapper Lady Leshurr wrote in response to the tweet.

"Nicki stop this ain’t funny I’m not prepared for this rn," one fan chimed in.

The news of her retirement arrives at a rather odd time for Minaj.

She has been featured on a handful of summer smashes, including a remix of Pop Smoke's "Welcome to the Party" and "Hot Girl Summer" with Megan Thee Stallion and Ty Dolla $ign. Moreover, Minaj told Jimmy Fallon in June that "of course" she was working on a new album.

Last month, however, she said she'd be getting married in "80 days" to her boyfriend Kenneth Petty, and also changed her Twitter handle to "Mrs. Petty." In addition, she hinted at starting a family in her verse on Chance the Rapper's recent song "Zanies and Fools," in which she rapped, "He the Clyde to my Bonnie/'Bout to walk down the aisle and be a mommy."