Jay-Z pulled Obama support gig after illness

Rap superstar Jay-Z had to abandon a free concert in support of US presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Sunday after suffering from a throat illness.

The '99 Problems' hitmaker, real name Shawn Carter, hoped to encourage young people to vote for the Democrat in the November election by holding two free gigs.

He played Detroit, Michigan on Saturday with no problems - but left fans at Sunday's show in Miami, Florida disappointed when the event was cancelled at the last minute.

Jay-Z had reportedly been advised by doctors not to go ahead with the concert because of his ailment, but the star has yet to release a statement explaining the details of his illness.