Snoop Dogg fan says he was beaten up onstage

SEATTLE - A hip-hop fan says he was beaten by rapper Snoop Dogg and other artists during a concert near Seattle over the weekend.

Richard Monroe, 24, said he was invited onstage during a concert by Snoop Dogg, The Game and Oowee on Saturday at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, a Seattle suburb.

"They just beat me, stomping me, and beat me with a microphone," a battered Monroe told local television, wincing as he spoke.

The incident, which was captured on a home video, reportedly took place during a performance of Snoop Dogg's song Gin and Juice.

In video footage aired on local TV, Monroe appeared behind Snoop and placed his hand on the rapper's shoulder before being knocked down and beaten by bodyguards and other unidentified people onstage. Snoop Dogg is seen in the video, but it is unclear if he is beating Monroe.

"They took my diamond earrings off my ear, my jewellery off my fingers, they took my wallet and my cell phone," Monroe said.

Local police said they were looking into the matter.

In a statement, Snoop Dogg publicist Meredith O'Sullivan said, "any person who jumps onstage at a concert has to be interpreted as a security threat and an immediate risk to both the performers onstage as well as the fans in the audience. Once a breach of security has been made, authorities are forced to take the proper measures to ensure safety."

- REUTERS