Rapper Drake has announced that he is taking a break from his music career, saying: "I need to focus on my health first and foremost."

Just hours after the release of his new album, For All The Dogs, the multi-Grammy winner said that he has had stomach issues for years.

"I probably won't make music for a little bit, I'm gonna be honest," he said on Friday on his radio show.

Several upcoming performances have been postponed following his announcement.

"I need to focus on my health, first and foremost — and I'll talk about that soon enough," said the Hotline Bling rapper.

"Nothing crazy, but just like, you know, I want people to be healthy in life, and I've been having the craziest problems for years with my stomach."

"I'm going to lock the door on the studio for a little bit," he said on his SiriusXM programme, Table For One.

"I don't even know what a little bit is. Maybe a year or something. Maybe a little longer."