50 Cent has offered his support to one-time rap rival Kanye West after the Jesus Walks hitmaker was arrested for beating up a photographer.

The In Da Club rap star admits he was shocked when he heard West had been arrested on vandalism charges after attacking a paparazzo at Los Angeles' Lax airport last week.

He says, "I hope he's all right... He's gonna pay for that. I hope everything works out for him because, away from you having to pay your bail money and then you have to go through your legal fees and you have to go through the civil trial."

And 50 admits he has had to learn to curb his temper at airports when photographers rush him.

He adds, "At some points it's uncomfortable... but now you have to accept it. Everyone has a cell phone... and can take pictures.

"I guess he (West) wasn't in the mood that day. It's not the first time a star has got into it with the paparazzi; I think they actually look for it."

West is now relaxing on Hawaii after he was released from police custody hours after the fracas at the airport on $20,000 bail.