LONDON (Billboard) - Just hours after losing out to rival Kanye West on the U.K. albums chart, rapper 50 Cent has shelved a string of European appearances.

"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," his Interscope Records label said in a statement.

Among the events he will miss are the Music of Black Origin Awards and the Live Music Awards, both in London.

The competition between both rappers ratcheted up a gear when 50 Cent -- whose real name is Curtis Jackson -- claimed in the press that he would retire from making solo albums if West won the sales battle.

West's "Graduation" (Roc-A-Fella) bowed at No. 1 on the latest Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Monday, ahead of 50 Cent's No. 2 "Curtis." Initial data in the United States also showed him trailing West; official sales will be published Wednesday.

Reuters/Billboard
© Copyright 2007 Reuters.

Photo:
Entertainer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson performs at a taping of the BET Channel's show "106th and Park" on the day that both Kanye West and 50 Cent released their respective new albums, in New York, September 11, 2007. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson