US rapper 50 Cent has revealed that he wasn't invited to take part in President Barack Obama's inauguration celebrations in Washington DC this week.

Various events across the Capitol featured performances from 50 Cent's fellow hip hop stars Kanye West, Young Jeezy and Jay-Z.

However, the rapper, who initially backed Hilary Clinton's presidential bid before switching to Obama, said there was no reason for him to attend the inauguration.

"I [might have] watched it from a really nice hotel room in DC because there's gonna be a whole lot of people out there, for no reason, doing different things,” he told Hollyscoop before Tuesday's inauguration.

“If Obama didn't invite you, you really shouldn't be there. You really shouldn't. That's the way I feel about it.

“Because when I go places that people didn't invite me [to], they look at me crazy, like, 'Why is he out there?'"

50 Cent also acknowledged the tough challenge that the country's first African-American president has inherited.

"I think he's inheriting the country in a difficult state. Actually the worst [state], right?” he said. “So I think it will take time. I hope, for all of our sakes, that whatever his plans are work for us.

"People watch [Obama on] the monitor like God is speaking, like, 'I hope he can get me a job'.”

(by Jason Gregory)