Three people stabbed during hip-hop album launch

Three people were stabbed at a Manhattan club that was hosting a record release party for a new collection of duets featuring slain rapper Notorious B.I.G.

Detectives also were investigating a shooting near the club, named Exit, that occurred around the same time. It was unclear if the two incidents were related.

Authorities could not confirm reports that the party was attended by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Notorious B.I.G.'s mother, Voletta Wallace. The two co-produced the new "Duets" record, which pairs the rapper's vocals with Eminen, Jay-Z and other artists.

Police said that, patrol officers heard gunfire at a parking garage near the club. Inside, they found three men with gunshot wounds; all were taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Moments later, police received an emergency call reporting a stabbing at the club. Officers found three victims - two men who were slashed in the face and one who was stabbed in the stomach; all were hospitalized.

There were no arrests. Detectives were questioning the occupants of a car spotted fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting.

- AGENCIES