Rapper Pitbull has defended his right to punch a fan at a recent gig - insisting it was a "natural instinct" to lash out after the reveler threw a wad of cash in his face.

The Grammy winner was caught on camera dragging a crowdmember on to the stage during his performance in Aspen, Colorado and felling him with a savage blow, before kicking the man as he lay on the floor.

The stunned crowed watched in horror as the star had to be dragged away by his entourage, before he continued his performance.

But Pitbull, real name Armando Christian Pérez, has explained his reasons behind the vicious outburst, claiming he warned the hapless fan to stop throwing cash into the crowd on several occasions.

He tells MTV.com, "I was going into Bojangles and this muthaf--ka had already made it rain (throwing money), like, three times. He threw a gang of money in the air and I was scooting the money, giving it to the crowd.

"I told him, 'Look, dog, you already got three strikes. Don't make it rain no more. I'm telling you. I ain't gonna talk about it no more, I'm just gonna be about it. Don't do it no more'. Boom, left it alone. I started Bojangles, then about a minute later, he comes to the other side of the stage and throws money again.

"I'm bringing him on stage with no intention of doing nothing to him. When I bring the muthaf--ka up on the stage, he throws a wad of money in my face. When he did that, that's when natural reaction... natural instinct kicked in.

"No way, shape or form was that my intention. It was more like a reaction, self-defense. As soon as he threw that money, it was on from there."

Image © TVT Records

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)