Just when you thought you had to be commercially established to claim an early retirement, Blacksmith rapper Jean Grae joined the ranks of Jay-Z and Lupe Fiasco via a MySpace bulletin announcement in the age-old publicity stunt. While some argue a retirement in the underground circuit goes unnoticed, Grae claims that following her retirement announcement in April her MySpace hits skyrocketed and called for a change of heart.

In a recent interview with the Village Voice, Grae retracts her retirement statements claiming, “It really did come from a really honest place. I definitely meant it. And at this point, it's kind of: "This is my job for better or for worse right now."

After being questioned on whether the retirement and retraction was a marketing ploy Grae replies, “I was like, "You know what? Not that it was a publicity stunt, but shit—maybe I've should've thought of it before as a publicity stunt."

Grae is currently working on her next effort, Phoenix, and claims she will continue to ward off retirement until she wins a Grammy. And with the loss of the female-rap category, that may not be anytime soon.