Thousands turned out in Kosovo's capital of Pristina last night (Dec. 17) to see rapper 50 Cent perform in the territory known more for its political woes than party tunes.

50 Cent arrived for a 10-hour visit that included a concert in a soccer stadium in the capital, promoting his latest album, "Curtis," and launching Kosovo's second phone operator.

"I came to entertain the world," said the 32-year-old artist, the first high-profile artist to perform publicly in Kosovo. The crowds chanted along to the songs in a performance marked by fireworks lighting the Pristina skyline.

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

Over 25,000 tickets were snapped up for 50 Cent's performance. 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.


Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.