Kanye West admits battle with 50 Cent was a publicity stunt

Rapper Kanye West, who, yesterday attended the funeral of his mother Donda West after she died last week following a plastic surgery operation - has confessed that his chart battle with rival rapper 50 Cent was a publicity stunt that he dreamed up in order to sell more records.

Kanye was crowned champion when he & 50, real name Curtis James Jackson, went head to head in September after releasing their albums on the same day. But the 'Touch The Sky' rapper has now admitted that he was responsible for creating the media frenzy.

In an interview with America's GQ magazine, the singer said: "It was a complete publicity stunt. It was my idea. I knew it was going to take off as soon as we were going to come out on the same date."

"Think about it - you got the two biggest s**t-talkers in rap history. There's no-one in rap history for talking more s**t than me and 50. That's something I will stand on."

Referring to 50 Cent's vow to retire if he lost the battle, West said: "Oh man, he sold so many more records by saying that. Man, 50 is really one of my favourite rappers, too. I almost feel bad (about beating him)."