US rapper Benny the Butcher shot in leg after being jumped by masked gang who demanded his chains outside Walmart

US rapper Benny the Butcher has been shot during a robbery attempt outside a store in Houston, according to authorities.  

Houston Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said the 35-year-old performer, whose real name is Jeremie Pennick, was shot in the leg around 4pm on Saturday in the car park of a Walmart on the southwest side of the city.

As Pennick got out of his Rolls Royce, she said five individuals wearing masks approached him and two others who were with him, demanding their chains.

The trio began taking off their jewellery but were not moving fast enough for one of the suspects, who shot the rapper, Ms Silva added.

She said the suspects fled the scene and Pennick was taken to the hospital. He was said to be in a stable condition and expected to survive. The unidentified people with him during the shooting were not wounded.

Ms Silva said the suspects are at large and an investigation is under way. A description of the suspects was not immediately released, but investigators said they were seen in a Chevy Malibu.

A representative for Pennick did not respond to a request for comment.

The rapper from Buffalo, New York is part of the hip-hop group Griselda and last month released his second studio album, "Burden of Proof." He also recently signed a management deal with Roc Nation, an entertainment agency founded by superstar rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, according to Spotify.

Pennick is at least the third rapper in less than a week to become the victim of gun violence in Texas. 

Hours before the incident involving Pennick, another hip-hop artist, Boosie Badazz, whose real name is Torrence Hatch, was also shot in the leg. It occurred just a day after Hatch attended a vigil for slain Dallas rapper Mo3, who was shot and killed last Wednesday during a daytime attack on a highway in his hometown. 

The 38-year-old native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told his fans in a Facebook post Sunday that he was okay.

Police have not announced whether arrests have been made in either case. WFAA-TV reports that authorities have said there is no evidence indicating Saturday's shootings were connected to Noble's death