50 Cent thinks self-confidence has fuelled his success.

The 51-year-old rapper was a drug dealer before achieving huge success in the music business, and 50 now claims that his self-confidence is the engine of his fame and fortune.

The New York-born star told Interview magazine: "I think influence is power.

"Some people love me and some people hate me, but it's just me being me. Look, I can still be overconfident, but that's because I had to be confident when I had no supporters."

50 notices how his standing changed as he worked his way up the music business.

He said: "When you're coming up, something organic happens that's so powerful. You look at it and go, 'Whoa, we never get a second chance at a first impression.' And that impression, when it comes, is like, boom.

"The world's in agreement that this s*** is good. You're taking off, you're going, and it's a rollercoaster. A man actually becomes as attractive as a beautiful woman.

"Because stability is attractive. Them looking at you and knowing the financial component is going to take away the pressure they may feel, it almost puts you in a dream sequence."

50 previously insisted that there's more to life than money.

The chart-topping star told The Talks: "Think about how many times you smile if you see a kid doing something. The innocence of that, that is priceless. If you ask a person about the last time they smiled or felt good, they will tell you that is valuable."

50 believes money creates "freedom" - but it doesn't resolve all of life's challenges.

He said: "Money is freedom. It is the ability to do things as you come up with it. I used to think that money was the answer to everything because the big problem in front of me was financial.

"Every idea I came up with I needed the money to do it. You sit there and create these scenarios in your head and then if you have money it only gives you the ability to come and go as you please if you have an idea."