Awards show turns into bloody ruckus

A Hollywood music awards show erupted into a violent brawl in which one man was stabbed after rap mogul Dr Dre was punched in the face.

Chairs were hurled, punches thrown and one person was knifed after chaos overtook the second annual Vibe Awards on UPN in Los Angeles this week.

Police rushed to the scene of the awards in a hangar at Santa Monica Airport after the ruckus broke out. An assailant punched Dr Dre in the face as he prepared to receive an award.

The bodyguards of the rap impresario, who had been called on stage by legendary music producer Quincy Jones and rapper Snoop Dogg to get a lifetime achievement award, pursued the attacker, reports said.

Scores of guests then joined the melee and began brawling around the stage, hurling furniture and throwing punches. The 26-year-old stabbing victim is in stable condition in hospital.

LL Cool J and Tyra Banks had been hosting the awards, which honour rhythm and blues and rap music, while Nelly, Ashanti and Alicia Keys had been scheduled to perform.