As reported yesterday, Kanye West's 'Graduation' beat 50 Cent's new record 'Curtis' to the number one spot in the UK album charts this weekend, preparing Fiddy for his likely defeat in the all-important American album charts. All-important, of course, because he promised to quit making solo records if he loses the battle for the top of the Billboard chart to Mr West.
And after trying to wriggle his way out of that brash promise last week, it now seems that perhaps he'll go through with his threat to retire. Yesterday the multi-million selling rapper cancelled his entire European tour without explanation, including his scheduled performance at the MOBO awards.
Though, that said, there are reports this morning Fiddy is now claiming the sales stats have been rigged to allow West to win the chart battle, which sounds a little like he's trying to wriggle out of the "I'm going to quit" pledge again. He's quoted as saying: "He's [Kanye] never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has. They could have one scan and have it count four times. West's entire career hasn't sold half what I sold on my first album".