50 Cent cancels European gigs

50 Cent has cancelled two major international music events, citing "unforeseen and unanticipated" circumstances.

The rapper - who vowed to retire if rival Kanye West beat him in the album charts last week - has pulled out of performing at the MOBOs and the Vodafone Live Music Awards in London.

West has triumphed over his rival to land the title of the UK's number one album. The stars went head-to-head when their respective albums were released last week - but West's third offering 'Graduation' took the top spot.

50 Cent's 'Curtis' charted at number two - following claims the rapper would retire if he failed to beat West.

West's Graduation is also expected to chart higher than Curtis in the US when the Billboard album chart is published tomorrow.

It is unclear as yet whether Jackson will honour his promise of early retirement.

A spokesman for Jackson says: "50 Cent is very sad to confirm that due to a last-minute, unforeseen and unanticipated change in his schedule, he will have to postpone his European Promotion Trip from September 18- 25."