Kanye West has been charged with battery and attempted theft after an alleged altercation with a paparazzo at Los Angeles International Airport.

Photographer Daniel Ramos claims the Grammy-winning hip-hop artist and songwriter punched him in an unprovoked attack and wrestled him to the ground to try to grab his camera on July 19.

After the alleged incident, Mr Ramos received hospital treatment for an injured hip.

Prosecutors declined to file felony charges against West, but city prosecutors decided to pursue misdemeanour charges.

Each misdemeanour charge carries a penalty of up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

West, 36, is due to appear at a Los Angeles court on October 10 to answer the charges.

His representative did not return a request for comment.

West has become a frequent target of paparazzi after striking up a romance last year with reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl named North West, in June.