50 CENT has made a surprise move by stepping forward to heap praise on beleaguered US President George W Bush.

While Bush is facing growing criticism from American citizens and celebrities, including rapper Kanye West, former crack dealer 50 Cent has expressed great admiration for the Republican leader.

He says, "(The president) is incredible... A gangsta. I wanna meet George Bush, just shake his hand and tell him how much of me I see in him."

The IN DA CLUB rapper, who was shot nine times on the streets of New York City before finding fame, adds that if it wasn't for his felony conviction preventing him from voting, he'd have exercised his right in favour of Bush.