Nicki Minaj stunned the rap world yesterday by abruptly retiring via Twitter.

"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," she typed in a since-deleted Tweet.

Today, she apologized to her fans for breaking the news as she did.

I’m still right here. Still madly in love with you guys & you know that. In hindsight, this should’ve been a Queen Radio discussion & it will be. I promise u guys will be happy. No guests, just us talking about everything. The tweet was abrupt & insensitive, I apologize babe ♥️🙏 https://t.co/eS0oHipwtg

— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) September 6, 2019

"I’m still right here. Still madly in love with you guys & you know that. In hindsight, this should’ve been a Queen Radio discussion & it will be. I promise u guys will be happy. No guests, just us talking about everything. The tweet was abrupt & insensitive, I apologize babe," she wrote in response to a fan.

TMZ reports that Nicki made the decision to retire because she was sick of people criticizing her relationship with Kenny Petty, a convicted felon who recently flashed a gun during her IG Live session, and tired of accusations she doesn't write her own music. 

Nicki has studio time booked through October, suggesting the decision to walk away was an impulsive one.  Her management team was completely blindsided by the Tweet.