Jay-z Will Quietly Slip Away From Rap When He Retires

Hip-hop superstar JAY-Z has vowed never to announce his rap retirement again after changing his mind about hanging up his microphone in 2003.

The Big Pimpin’ hitmaker, real name Shawn Carter, declared The Black Album would be his last when it was released six years ago - but he couldn’t stay away from the recording studio and returned to the charts in 2006 with comeback disc Kingdom Come.

He has since released two more CDs - 2007’s American Gangster and The Blueprint 3, which hit stores this week (begs07Sep09).

Jay-Z has no plans to bring his music career to an end just yet - but when he does, he insists he will slip away from the industry quietly, without any fuss.

He says, “I learned from that last one (retirement announcement) that you should just let it happen. The day that you’re not making music you should just not make music. It doesn’t have to be an announced retirement. So I would never say that again. Ever.”