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It's going to be a minute before fans see Nelly Furtado performing on stage ... 'cause she says she's stepping away for the "foreseeable future."

The "Maneater" hitmaker announced the shocking news on Instagram Friday, telling fans while she's so thankful for her journey ever since her first album "Whoa, Nelly!" was released 25 years ago ... she feels it's time to "step away" to focus on "other creative and personal endeavors." Document Launch Doc Instagram / @nellyfurtado

She didn't reveal what's up next for her ... but confirmed she will always be writing music, even if that doesn't mean performing it.

Nelly made her indefinite hiatus from the stage sound a bit more serious, though, when she mentioned the "new generation of artists" by wishing them "many ye

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