by Xavier for Ethos Magazine
Retirement in the music industry? Is it even possible? What does it even really mean?
The music industry, more specifically, the hip hop industry has been notorious for the play on “retiring”. More and more often we have all heard news of some artist supposedly “quitting” their careers. Some claim they are simply retiring from making their own music (meaning you will see them producing or appearing on another’s album someway) or that they are just stopping all together. These are not even artists who are past their prime, aging like hell; rather they are youthful, “fresh” talent who in the eyes of many, have no right to even publicize “retirement”.
Jay-Z, the hip hop “mogul”, is an artist who pretty much set the precedent for the reoccurring “retirement” theme. Coinciding with the release of his album, “The Black Album”, back in November of 2003, the artist announced his departure from the industry. He hyped up his retirement so much he even held a “farewell” concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City which led to his film, “Fade to Black”. Can you say “added publicity much”?
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