New Kosova Report

50 Cent performs for tens of thousands in Prishtina

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

50 Cent in Prishtina

PRISHTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Tens of thousands braved freezing temperatures in Kosovo's capital Monday to see rapper 50 Cent perform in the territory known more for its political woes than party tunes.
50 Cent arrived for a ten hour visit that included a concert in a soccer stadium in the capital, Pristina, promoting his latest album «Curtis» and launching Kosovo's second phone operator.

«I came to entertain the world,» the 32 year old artist told the Associated Press in an interview. The rapper, who has sold over 20 million records, is the first high-profile artist to perform publicly in Kosovo.

The crowds chanted along to the songs and jumped in rhythm. The performance peaked with fireworks lighting the Pristina skyline.

The volatile province has been run by the United Nations since the end of the war in 1999. Stars have visited, including the actresses Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie, pop singer Mariah Carey and British songwriter James Blunt. But they visited in their humanitarian capacities or entertained NATO peacekeepers.

Over 25,000 tickets for 50 Cent's performance, priced symbolically at ¤0.50 (US$ 0.72) and sold as part of a phone package, sold in less than eight hours.
He steered clear of Balkan politics and the issue of whether Kosovo should become an independent country. «It's not for me to decide; my job is to put on a great show,» he said.