50 Cent: 'Kanye's success is down to me'

Rap star 50 Cent insists Kanye West is only successful because music fans needed gentle ballads after experiencing the aggression of his own brand of hip-hop.

The Candy Shop star admits West is a fine producer, but he would never have rocketed to stardom if it wasn't for him.

He says: "I feel like Kanye West is successful because of me. After 50 Cent, (hip-hop fans) was looking for something non-confrontational, and they went after the first thing that came along.

"That was Kanye West, and his record took off. He puts together witty phrases and he's a great talent as a producer, but I still don't know who Kanye West is when I listen to him."