50 Cent pulls out of music awards

Two music award ceremonies are going ahead tonight – without their biggest star.

50 Cent pulled out of the Mobos and the Vodafone Live Music Awards a day after he was beaten to the top of the chart by rival Kanye West.

The hip-hop star had vowed to retire if his album did not beat West’s in the charts.

All eyes will now be on whether Amy Winehouse attends the Mobos (Music of Black Origin Awards), where she is nominated in four categories.

The 24-year-old, whose drug problems have recently been in the headlines, is up for best UK female, R&B act, song for Rehab, and video for Back To Black.

Other contenders for best UK female are soul star Beverley Knight, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia and Joss Stone.

Dizzee Rascal is also up for four awards – UK male, hip hop act, song and video for Sirens.

50 Cent and rival West are both up for best hip hop act.

Former Sugababe Mutya Buena, who is expected to perform on the night, has her first Mobo nomination as a soloist, in the UK newcomer category.

The 12th annual Mobo Awards take place at London’s 02 Arena and will be co-hosted by Jamelia and reggae star Shaggy.

Other performers include Craig David making his comeback with London rapper Kano.

US star Ne-Yo, who has been working with Britney Spears on the fallen pop princess’s comeback attempt, R&B singer Robin Thicke, Shaggy, and US rappers T-Pain and Yung Joc complete the line-up.

The Vodafone awards feature Enrique Iglesias, Kate Nash, the Manic Street Preachers, the Stereophonics, The Enemy, Calvin Harris and CSS, while the Arctic Monkeys are up for Best Live Act.