The American rap artist 50 Cent has pulled out of Dubai's Shoppiesta Festival, according to organisers.
Shoppiesta director Radhesh Menon confirmed the rapper’s withdrawal today, citing a breakdown in contract negotiations between the festival and the American talent agency acting on 50 Cent’s behalf after the concert was announced last week.
However, Mr Menon said that other celebrities promised for the event, including the Lebanese pop-star Nancy Ajram, would be performing as planned.
The announcement marks the latest blow to the troubled festival, with Bollywood’s Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal cancelling their appearances due to scheduling conflicts.
The trio, who are all starring together in the upcoming film Ra.One, were to perform together under the billed We R.One concert.
Promoted as the the first-ever consumer lifestyle fair in the region, the five-day Shoppiesta Festival will be held at Dubai's Meydan Racecourse from August 31 to September 4. The festival will host themed nightly concerts covering Arabic, Filipino, Persian, Indian and International music.
Tickets for Shoppiesta concerts, which will range from Dh40 to Dh1,500, go on sale tomorrow.
