UK rap star announces retirement after ten years in music and reveals final show and album after MOBO award win
The musician endured a difficult time in his teens before breaking into mainstream hip-hop
RAP fans have shared their disappointment after one of their favourite stars announced his retirement.
MOBO winner Nines, 34, has confirmed he is bowing out of the music industry after a successful career spanning more than 10 years.
But there is some good news.
The rapper has confirmed he will be releasing a final album and hitting the road before saying goodbye forever.
His rep said in a statement: “British rap legend Nines has announced his monumental tenth project, Quit While You’re Ahead – his sixth and final album.
“Alongside the album, Nines has confirmed the news of his last-ever headline show, which will take place at London’s iconic O2 Arena.
“This highly anticipated performance will mark the final chapter of his illustrious career.”
Nines – real name Courtney Leon Freckleton – landed his first record deal in 2017.
His debut album, One Foot Out, charted at Number 4 in the UK.
Nines’ second album, Crop Circle, went in at Number 5, but he managed to hit the top spot with his third.
Crabs In A Bucket not only sailed in at Number 1 but it also won him the 2020 MOBO Award for Album Of The Year.
He also scooped the gong for Best Hip-Hop Act at the event, which was hosted by Maya Jama and held virtually due to the pandemic.
Globally, Nines’ releases have had 100 million streams, and his 2023 album, Crop Circle 2, became the most-streamed British album in its first week of release.
But it wasn’t an easy road to success.
Nines – aka Courtney – grew up with his two brothers on a deprived housing estate in London.
In 2008, his 25-year-old brother Wayne was shot dead in a gang attack as he waited for his cousin at a barber shop. Two men were later jailed for his murder.
Nines' road to success
- Nines shot to notoriety with his mixtape Church Road To Hollywood in 2012. He had grown up on the troubled Church Road Estate in London.
- The following year, he released the mixtape Gone Till November. He won the People’s Choice Award at the BBC 1Xtra Mixtape Awards.
- In 2015, Nines’ third mixtape release led to his nomination for Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards.
- Nines signed with British independent label XL Recordings in 2016.
- He released his debut album One Foot Out in 2017.
- In 2018, Nines released his second album Crop Circle.
- By 2020, the musician had signed a deal with music giants Zino Records and Warner Records.
- Nines’ third album, Crabs In A Bucket, won Album Of The Year at the 2020 MOBO Awards. He also won Best Hip-Hop Act.
- Last year, Nines released albums Crop Circle 2 and Crop Circle 3.
- Nines announced in September 2024 that he was retiring. He will bow out after a final album and O2 Arena show.
At the time, Nines was only 16 and had already been performing musically in his local area.
He went on to freestyle in several YouTube tracks before releasing his first single, AJ’D OUT [JD SHUTDOWN], in 2011.
In years that followed, Nines released a string of mixtapes before he got his big break in the mainstream music world.
Nines has now released the first single from his Quit While You’re Ahead album called Tony Soprano 3.
After sharing a video clip on Instagram, one fan said: “I’m gassed this will be hard, but it’s the last album of a generational run.”
Another added: “When it’s all said and done he’s going down the GOAT!”
Quit While You’re Ahead is released on September 27. He will perform his final show at the O2 Arena on November 27.
The rapper’s rep added: “Nines will bow out at the peak of his powers, leaving an indelible mark on both the culture and the music industry.”
