Chris Brown guzzled champagne before nightclub bust-up

A photograph showing singer Chris Brown quaffing champagne just seconds before he was involved in a violent bust-up at a New York nightclub has been published online.

The Kiss Kiss hitmaker was partying in Manhattan's W.i.P. venue on Wednesday (13Jun12) when he was left with a nasty cut on the chin after his entourage clashed with aides guarding rival star Drake.

The image, published by TMZ.com, shows the singer standing topless and calmly holding a large bottle of booze while surrounded by fellow revellers and a bodyguard known as 'Big Pat', moments before trouble flared.

Brown was treated in hospital for the injury but was not seriously hurt.