50 Cent thinks he will become more popular when he dies

The 'Get Up' rapper doesn't believe he is given the critical acclaim he deserves but thinks he will be remembered as a great artist when he has passed away, just like one of his idols Michael Jackson.

He said: "As an artist you're greater in your absence than in your presence. Everyone liked Michael Jackson more the week after he passed away than the week before. Maybe they'll like me more when I'm gone. I'd definitely like to be remembered as a great artist."

Despite his forays into business and movies – the hip-hop star can currently be seen in British gangster film 'Dead Man Running' and has signed up to appear in a reimagining of classic tale 'Jekyll and Hyde' - 50 insists music will always be his first love.

He told the Observer Magazine: "I'll always be a rapper first and foremost. I may generate more money from my business deals away from rap, but without the finances acquired from being successful as a hip-hop artist, what money would I have to invest? I spend my time in competition with myself rather than other rap artists. But it's hard to compare how you felt when you sold 12 million copies of your first record to now."