MTV VMAs 2014: Dr Dre expected to announce and release new album Detox during ceremony

Speculation is rife that the rapper will drop the follow-up to 1999's hit 2001

Rapper Dr Dre performs at Coachella music festival in California (Getty Images)

Dr Dre fans could be in for a surprise treat at tonight’s MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.

MTV VMAs 2014 nominations in full

Reports suggest that the US rapper could be planning to announce his first album since 1999’s hit 2001, which might even be set for a midnight release through major digital stores.

Dre has been working on follow-up Detox for around 13 years, with two singles officially dropped in 2010 and 2011. Another track, “Under Pressure” featuring Jay Z was leaked.

It has been a successful past year for the “Forget About Dre” star, after Apple bought his company Beats for an estimated $2.6 billion.

But his other commitments have caused frustration for fans, who have been kept waiting and repeatedly disappointed when production starts then stops.

Some fans and critics have compared Detox to Guns N’Roses’ Chinese Democracy which took ages to come to light only to prove a commercial flop.

Last week, Dr Dre became one of the latest musicians to take on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge after Apple’s CEO Tim Cook challenged him. He then passed on the freezing baton to Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar.

Acts set to perform at the awards ceremony tonight include Ariana Grande, Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, Usher, Beyonce, 5 Seconds of Summer and Maroon 5, who will make their VMAs performance debut.