Kanye West legally prohibited from retiring

Kanye West is legally unable to retire. Photo: AP

Kanye West may be rich enough to retire but legally he has to stay on the grind.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed details of the contract after they were made public in West's ongoing legal fight against record label EMI.

Before becoming one of the biggest names in music the rap star signed a publishing contract with EMI that stipulates that he must, "remain actively involved in writing, recording and producing compositions and major label albums, as your principle occupation,".

While West has been releasing new albums at a consistent pace of one every two-to-three years, the attention grabbing star has also branched out into fashion and footwear. A couple of years ago he repeatedly tweeted to Apple's CEO Tim Cook attempting to set up a meeting and saying that he "had ideas" for the tech firm.

The contract goes on to prohibit West from giving it all up to kick back and relax.

"At no time during the term will you seek to retire as a songwriter, recording artist or producer or take any extended hiatus during which you are not actively pursuing your musical career in the same basic manner as you have pursued such career to date,"

West is currently suing EMI to get out of the contract and also regain ownership over all of the music he's made since 2010. This includes the celebrated albums My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus, as well as recent efforts The Life of Pablo and last year's Ye.

West argues that he has been "labouring" for EMI since 2001 and reckons that under the Californian Labour Code his personal services can only be contracted for seven years. This rule has also been argued by Jared Leto's rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars and Olivia Newton-John.

West is saying he seeks to "obtain his freedom," from the publishing and record contracts. His inability to retire is likely to pay a key factor in the judge's decision.

Unfortunately for West, EMI were prepared for this fight as a clause in the contract precludes Californian law from being applied. It states that rather than personal services being employed, West is instead required to "deliver" EMI ownership of any songs he writes.