US rapper Fabolous shot in thigh

The rap artist has worked with Jennifer Lopez and Usher

Rap artist Fabolous has been shot as he waited for his entourage outside a restaurant in New York.

Fabolous, 28, whose real name is John Jackson, was hit in the thigh when a man approached him and opened fire. Police are trying to find the gunman.

The rapper and three other men fled the scene and were stopped by police after driving through a red light.

They were arrested after officers found two loaded guns in the car. None of the four men have been charged.

Hip Hop Honours

Jackson is in a stable condition in hospital.

The rapper, from Brooklyn, shot to fame in 2001 with his debut single I Can't Deny It.

He has worked with stars including Ja Rule, The Neptunes, and Lil' Mo, and recently performed with P Diddy at the VH1 Hip Hop Honours.

His solo album was originally set to be released in December. It is now expected to come out in the UK in Feburary 2007.