She later apologised for the 'abrupt and insensitive' way she made the announcement

Nicki Minaj fans were shocked last night when the hip-hop star took to social media to abruptly announce that she was retiring from music.

The 36-year-old 'Starships' singer posted a short message to fans saying: "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, X in the box- cuz ain’t nobody checkin me. Love you for LIFE."

Earlier this year, Minaj - who is rumoured to have married her boyfriend Kenneth Petty in recent months, hence the name change on Twitter - had mentioned that she was working on a new album.

“I have a lot to focus on that I don’t want to do the big wedding now," she said. "We’ll do the big wedding later. I’ll be married before my album comes out, but will have my wedding after the album comes out."

Her last album was 2018's 'Queen'.

After fans complained at the abruptness of her announcement, she said that she will discuss it further on her Beats 1 show Queen Radio:

Some have speculated that Minaj is retiring her current 'persona' to reinvent herself...

While others are pretty devastated...

And others still refuse to believe it.