50 Cent bigs up Eminem

50 Cent says Eminem will be the "number one rap artist" when he makes his comeback.

The 'In Da Club' rapper - real name Curtis Jackson - praised his former mentor, saying his new material will be far superior to any other hip-hop release.

He told BANG Showbiz: "I think when he comes back he will absolutely claim the spot as the number one rap artist.

"I get the opportunity to listen to material prior to its release and I'm sure it's better than anything that's out. "Eminem's different. A lot of material he has written is just scrapped, because it's got to feel like it's just happened, like it's new. That's just how he works as an artist."

Eminem friend and protegee Bishop Lamont recently confirmed the 'Slim Shady' star - real name Marshall Mathers - is looking forward to assaulting the charts once again.

He said: "Em is excited. He's been quiet too long, and he's got a lot to get off his chest."

Eminem revealed earlier this year that he was working on new material during a radio station prank call to LL Cool J. 'The Real Slim Shady' singer phoned into his own radio station, Shade 45, and pretended to be an unsigned rapper.

His real identity was discovered after he rapped to his own hit, 'Lose Yourself'. After confirming it was him, Eminem added: "Everything is good. I'm just in the studio right now working on songs and stuff like that."