Veronica Schmidt
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Rapper 50 Cent has cancelled a string of UK and European performances after his high-stakes show-down with Kayne West entered a perilous new phase.
Yesterday, the New Yorker was beaten to the number one spot on the UK album charts by rival rapper Kayne West. Although official sales figures are not out until Wednesday, West’s new release Graduation has reportedly also outsold ‘Fiddy’s’ album Curtis in the US.
A record-label founder and clothing designer as well as a rapper, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson, famously vowed to quit his solo career should West out-sell him.
After sales figures began to surface 50 Cent lashed out, accusing West’s record company of buying up copies of Graduation, but today he went to ground, cancelling a string of UK and European concerts.
The rapper was due to perform at this week’s Mobo Awards and Vodafone Live Music Awards, in London, and was to play for an MTV show in Germany on Friday, but today pulled out of all three appearances. A spokesperson for the Vodafone awards said the rapper had given no explanation for the late cancellation.
Since West moved his record release date to September 11 to coincide with 50 Cent’s album launch, the American media has been consumed by the rivalry. At the MTV Video Music Awards last week, organisers engineered a stand-off by putting the pair onstage together to present an award. Meanwhile Rolling Stone magazine had the rappers pose eyeball-to-eyeball for the cover of this month’s issue.
But if it’s only an exercise in hype, 50 Cent has done a good job of convincing the public he’s serious. Last week a video interview posted on YouTube showed the former gangster considering bowing out of his rapping career.
“After a while it's not exciting. I'm not really excited to go sell a record. I probably won't even put another album out. If I do put it out, I probably won't travel to promote it. The actual release of this record wasn't pleasant for me," he said.
When asked if he felt "burned out," he replied: "Not burned out, I just feel like I don't wanna do it anymore. It's the first time I ever told people publicly. I've been feeling that way for a while."
Should he fall on his sword, it certainly won't be 50 Cent's darkest hour. He was raised in a rough area of the Bronx in New York, orphaned at 8, and a crack cocaine dealer by 12. In 2000, he was shot nine times but survived.

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Since the beggining of 50, many youngsters out in the streets have been touched to write music and perform, he has shown them that there's more to life. As a dancer, he has produced music that I can work with and perform to. The man should keep up his good work and stick at it.
JD, Scotland,
sooner he goes the better. The mans made almost a billion dollars by promoting gang violence, sexual mysoginy (sp?) and all the seedier problems of society.
what kind of role model is he for our children? is it any wonder we have so many gang related issues?
Chris, Shrewsbury,
I was hoping we might permanently see the back of 50's pathetic attempts at rapping, but probably not.. The thing is that Kanye is rubbish as well! Bring back proper hiphop, IMO..
Owen, London, UK
"Kanye West" not "Kayne West".
Nathan, Ottawa, Canada
50 cents is the worst rapper Ive ever heard mr. west album is way better. lyrics did it and beats 50 cent cant rapper is a good song writer he sound more like ja rule well a good inpersonnater
bob, philadelphia, pa
50 Spent is from the old school of Gangster rap. There are too many guns on the street for 50 Spent to go around saying that shooting guns and dealing crack are the way to become rich and famous. You've got to love Kanye for being someone that kids can look up to.
Jason, London,
good riddance, the less rappers we have the better.
D Shiva, New Delhi, India
Who left the C out of RAP ?
Robert, Edinburgh, UK
Just hope he doesn't start acting.
Mike, Pittsburgh,
It would be nice if 50 Cent could start working with some of the kids who had a start him, but who didn't make it out of the bad life. If anyone's gong to help turn around the 'guns, drugs and respect' lifestyle of certain parts of the community, it's someone like him.
Mike, Godstone, UK
Nice one Kanye! Glad to see the back of the appalling 'Fiddy'! Perhaps Kanye could challenge other similar performers ... howabout James Blunt for instance!!
Tom, Sutton, UK
I believe 50 cent is out of his mind for publically challenging much more musically superior Mr.west.
Frankly and fearlessly, 50 cent is not a smart business man, and he knows too well that if you a public spot light, there are certain things that you do not promulgate. I do mind the free interprise and competetion when it comes music but do it behind closed doors not public and radio waves. Inshort, 50 cent is a very fortunate and lucky person who survived nine bullets but challenging artistically for K West there is no competetion.Thus 50 cent is sole loser this time and he won't be able to survive artistically and creatively and he will be forever be remembered the man who issued a challenge to another man and lost it miserably. Therefore reality sinks in and he has no choice but cancel all his promotion.
said faran, ann arbor, Mi USA
Errrrr Grow up springs to mind, this is more the region of boy band spats, laughable!
jon, Bristol,
Personally I think 50 needs to stay in the game! His CD was much better then Kaynes...everything about it...lyrics, beats...all that jazz. Hopefully 50 isnt too tired of the music business. That would be a great artist giving up....
Kylie, Carmel, IN
Who cares?
Big Z, Nowhere, Mars
50 cent is a survivor and he should do just what he wants. He had a horrible life as a youngster but now he is rich and famous. He has the power to make a difference in the lives of thousands or young children if he will do good with his vast wealth. Only a few people are lucky enough to have that option and many don't even care enough to try. I hope he does.. Good luck to you!
Victoria M., Los Angeles, Calif. USA
Venorica, Mr. West's first name is Kanye not Kayne. ;)
Natasha, Basalt, Co