Why So Many Artistes Threatened to Quit Music in 2019

From the beginning of this year to date, many artistes have threatened to quit music for good. From Lil Uzi Vert and Justin Bieber to Summer Walker and Ari Lennox, this was the year of the unofficial drop outs.

If you think this is a wild theory, here is some evidence. First was Lil Uzi Vert: “I wanna take the time out to say I thank each and every one of my supporters. But I’m done with music,” Lil Uzi Vert said in January. “I deleted everything. I wanna be normal. Wanna wake up in 2013.”

Lil Uzi Vert said he’s done with music 😳 pic.twitter.com/UUnvW7EcEj
— HIP HOP FACTS (@DailyRapFacts) January 12, 2019
 

Barely a month went by in 2019 without an artist threatening to pack it all in and quit forever. On the one hand it’s understandable. Is there anyone who hasn’t thought of quitting their job on a particularly rough day?

On the other hand, it is worrying that an increasing number of stars have felt like leaving a career they have worked their whole lives for. A rush of emotions and access to Twitter is often a bad combination.

But, in an industry pushing artists hard to be entertaining and engaging at all times, it would be wise to not dismiss these calls out of hand.

Lil Uzi Vert was not the only one.

Noname said she was tired of performing to majority white audiences. Ari Lennox was upset at the results of the Soul Train Award and wanted to walk away.

Meanwhile, Azealia Banks said she wanted to quit because her music was “too good” for 75% of the public.

And mind you, these artistes were not talking about going on a hiatus. That us different. They were talking about quitting music for good; stepping out of the scene forever. That is serious.

Ed Sheeran announced in August that he was going silent for a while. He made it clear we won’t hear from him for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile Nicki Minaj’s “retirement” was over as soon as it began.

Ironically, the only artist to constantly tell us they weren’t quitting music in 2019 despite offering up not a single note of music is Rihanna. But everyone knows Miss Fenty is a savage.

Here’s a list of artistes that threatened to quit music in 2019

Kanye West

Kanye West almost quit rap and called it “the devil’s music,” according to his pastor.https://t.co/jU0ENohmhy pic.twitter.com/kS8O3EoBlp
— The FADER (@thefader) October 21, 2019
 

Noname

Lil Tecca

I love y’all but this shit won’t b continuing as long as y’all thought
— in my glory (@liltecca) September 5, 2019
 

Summer Walker

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 na fr though I’ve decided y’all don’t deserve me lol I knew from day one I was to real for this shit. y’all can have the music & ima just head out. fuck the interviews, photo shoots, videos, & really the shows too. I’ll finish this tour out tho. I’m just a regular person, nothing more. lol people got this fame shit fucked up. I been me from day one, I’m not bout to start acting different, talking different, treating people different, or looking different. people really expect too much from you. Everyday / everything isn’t a miss America bad bitch contest, & I don’t feel the need to put others down to stay relevant. people really just DISCONNECTED.... hiding behind these apps, these filters, the clothes, the makeup, the hair lol a lot of y’all need to step back & get into yourselves.. from a different perspective. take the same amount of time that you normally do to prepare/improve your physical but apply it to your spirit & become COMFORTABLE with the real you, whoever that may be as long as your not hurting anyone. That same amount of time you take to chase the “bag” try putting that same amount of energy into patience, acceptance, understanding, self awareness, self love but I know no one gives a shit about what I’m saying so yeah. peace love & light ✌🏽😇
 
A post shared by  Summer Walker (@summerwalker) on Nov 3, 2019 at 12:38am PDT
 

Justin Beiber

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 So I read a lot of messages saying you want an album .. I’ve toured my whole teenage life, and early 20s, I realized and as you guys probably saw I was unhappy last tour and I don’t deserve that and you don’t deserve that, you pay money to come and have a lively energetic fun light concert and I was unable emotionally to give you that near the end of the tour. I have been looking, seeking, trial and error as most of us do, I am now very focused on repairing some of the deep rooted issues that I have as most of us have, so that I don’t fall apart, so that I can sustain my marriage and be the father I want to be. Music is very important to me but Nothing comes before my family and my health. I will come with a kick ass album ASAP, my swag is undeniable and my drive is indescribable his love is supernatural his grace is that reliable.... the top is where I reside period whether I make music or not the king said so. 👑 but I will come with a vengeance believe that.. (grammar and punctuation will be terrible pretend it’s a text where u just don’t care).
 
A post shared by  Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Mar 25, 2019 at 12:18pm PDT
 

Here is my theory for why artistes keep reaching for the exit door…

It is the fans. Fans are the primary problem. In this age of communication and technology, it has never been easier to connect.

Artistes get to interact with their fans and find out how loved they are. But in the midst of the interactions, they are often met with a lot of criticism, negative feedback, slander, and unrealistic expectations.

And artistes being human, it is not too far-fetched to believe that they crumble under the pressure. Fans have never been more demanding, selfish, and cruel because for the first time in entertainment history, they have close contact.

There are tweets of fans mocking Summer Walker when she has been so open about her social anxiety. We have heard competing fans endlessly compare Nicki Minaj to every upcoming female rapper.

And honestly, it is all just so cruel and inhumane and as a third party observer, I am exhausted on their behalf.

And save for BBNaija winner Mercy, we have not heard much from the Nigerian end of the spectrum, probably because the bar is too good (or we just haven’t checked). But chances are high that they share the exact same sentiments because Nigerians are not famous for their kindness.

And that is what a lot of the fandoms lack; kindness. We need to come to terms with the fact that despite their amzing talents, celebrities are people too. They get tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed too.

They are not singing, dancing machines designed to keep you happy. So quit being so entitled and get your fingers off the keypad before you bully someone into wanting to give up their dream job.

In 2020, let’s all make a note to be kinder to each other, even the people we think need it the least.