The fatal stabbing is the second serious episode of violence at a concert in California in recent months.

Fan Faitamai Taunuu, 30, suffered multiple injuries during Friday's concert and died on Saturday.

Nelly has a lighter style of rap

Fellow fan Sean Bowers, 27, was said to be in a good condition in hospital on Sunday.

Two men, 26-year-old Hank Carl Banegas, and 42-year-old Steven Francis TeSam, both of Alpine, California, have been charged with "investigation of murder" and attempted murder, police said.

A 16-year-old boy, whose name has not been released, is being held in a young offenders institution on charges of conspiracy.

Mr Banegas, and his uncle, Mr TeSam, a native American tribe official, are being held without bail.

In August, at concert in Irvine, fighting among fans spread to the main stage. More than 15,000 members of the Beat Summer Jam 2002 audience fled in panic.

Third car

Mr TeSam is chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, which runs a casino in Alpine, 30 miles east of San Diego.

Police said officers directing traffic after the Nelly concert were flagged down by people in two cars near the venue. Each car contained a stabbing victim.

A third car was pointed out, which was said to contain people involved in the incident.

Rap concerts have often been the scenes of violent crime in recent years.

Even in the UK, garage gigs have occasionally attracted violence.