Rapper Missy Elliott's 37th birthday celebrations in New York were cut short at the weekend when her make-up artist was arrested for allegedly assaulting a fan.

Deborah Padilla was taken into police custody after the brawl at the Nyc Marquee nightclub, where a waitress at the venue reportedly attempted to get close to party guest Busta Rhymes.

An eyewitness tells the New York Post, "The waitress got into it with the make-up artist, then fists flew."

"There were people crying, bottles flying and Missy trying to get out of there. It was pandemonium."

The unnamed waitress subsequently filed charges against Padilla, claiming she had been "hit above the eye" in the incident.

A representative for Marquee nightclub has refused to comment on the fight.