50 Cent thinks Justin Bieber is ''still a baby''.

The 'Candy Shop' rapper has defended the controversial pop star - who was forced to apologise this week when two videos emerged of him telling racist jokes - and insists Justin, 20, isn't racist.

50, real name Curtis Jackson, said: ''I don't think he's racist. I don't think even he knows who he is at this point -- he's so young.

''When you see people become huge stars real early, it's tough for them. You have to grow up with all these expectations. I think Justin's still a baby and he's lost.''

In one of the shocking videos which emerged this week, the singer - aged 14 at the time - appears to alter the lyrics to his song 'One Less Lonely Girl' by singing ''One less lonely n*****'', and then jokes about joining race hate group, the Ku Klux Klan.

However, 50 worries that people labelling Justin 'racist' may have a detrimental effect on the singer.

The 38-year-old rapper told The Sun newspaper: ''That people are saying he is may actually affect him and turn him into one.

''I've been so many things I'm not because of things that people said I am. But I think he will be all right.''