Drake postpones Europe tour for mom's surgery

Toronto rapper Drake is postponing his 10-city European tour because his mother needssurgery.

The 23-year-old performer released a statement Thursday sayinghe wants to support his mother, Sandi Graham, "just as she supported me through the years."

The release did not divulge further details about his mother's surgery or condition.

"Despite my best hopes, it is apparent that my mother will need surgery earlier than anticipated," said the statement.

"I cannot thank my European fans enough and look forward to performing abroad soon. I ask everyone to please respect my family's privacy during this time."

The European leg of his The Away From Home Tour was supposed to launch Friday in Norway. It will be rescheduled for November. Ticket holders have been asked to retain their tickets until new dates are announced.

Drake's European tour datesincludedParis, Amsterdam, London and the Roskilde festival in Denmark.

The European cancellation however, does not affect his Canadian tour, which starts in Ottawa on July 16.

Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, recently released his first full-length album, the gold-selling Thank Me Later.

The Toronto singer has had a meteoric rise over the past two years. He was previously known as one of the actors on Degrassi: The New Generation.

He captured two Juno Awards in May for best new artist and best rap recording (So Far Gone), and was nominated for two 2010 Grammy Awards.