History
Formation and success (1999–2003)
After helping Def Jam with the success of DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule, Russell Simmons gave Irv Gotti his own label under Def Jam. While watching Biography on A&E during gangster week, a Murder, Inc. logo appeared on the screen, inspiring Irv to name his label after the organized crime group, paralleling his desire to put out hit records to the crime group's purpose of putting out contract hits. Murder Inc.'s first set of artists were Ja Rule, Black Child, Tah Murdah and Nemesis. On June 1, 1999, Murder Inc. released its first studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci by Ja Rule. Featuring production from Irv Gotti (who also executive produced the album) as well as guest appearances from Murder Inc. artists Tah Murdah, Black Child and Nemesis in their debut major appearances, the album featured the hit single "Holla Holla" and soon was certified Platinum in the U.S., which made Ja Rule and Murder Inc. among the most popular artists and labels in the industry, respectively.
On October 10, 2000, Ja Rule released his second studio album, Rule 3:36. The album featured Ja Rule and Murder Inc.'s first top 15 hit with Between Me and You. The album featured production from Irv Gotti (who also executive produced the album) as well as appearances from Tah Murdah, Black Child, and Murder Inc.'s first female artist Vita. The album marked a significant change in Murder Inc.'s musical style, shifting from hardcore hip hop to a more radio-friendly pop rap oriented sound that targeted the female demographic, which in turn resulted in greater commercial success. This formula of making radio-friendly pop rap that targeted the female demographic would be a key factor in Murder Inc.'s later successes. The album debuted and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with 276,000 copies sold, and would ultimately be certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA for selling three million units.
Murder Inc. signed Charli Baltimore and Ashanti in 2001. That same year, Ja Rule's most successful album, Pain Is Love, was released. The album was supported by the smash hit singles Always on Time (featuring Ashanti), Livin' It Up and Down Ass Bitch (featuring Charli Baltimore). Much of the album was produced by Irv Gotti, and the album was executively produced by Irv Gotti and Ja Rule. It sold over 360,000 units in its first week, and debuted and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. The album sold over three million units in America, and was certified 3× platinum by the RIAA. Pain Is Love featured guest appearances from labelmates Caddillac Tah, Black Child, O-1 (previously known as Nemesis) and newly signed artists Charli Baltimore, Jodie Mack, and Ashanti. This album was soon followed by Ashanti's multi-platinum selling debut, Ashanti, which spawned three hit singles on the Billboard charts.
On July 2, 2002, Murder Inc. released the compilation, Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. The album continued to showcase original artists like Ja Rule, Black Child, Vita, Jodie Mack, O-1 and Caddillac Tah, while showcasing new artists like Ashanti and Charli Baltimore and Murder Inc. affiliates like D.O. Cannon, Ronnie Bumps and Merc. Murder Inc. scored another hit single with Down 4 U, and the album peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard top 200 and was ultimately certified Gold by the RIAA. A documentary of the same name as the compilation was released around the same time, documenting the careers and lives of Murder Inc. artists. That same month, Vita severed ties with Murder Inc. [3] During this time, Murder Inc. started associating with Nas as he collaborated with Ja Rule and Ashanti for the remix to "The Pledge". Although it was speculated that Nas would possibly sign to Murder Inc., the deal never materialized. [4] Ja Rule's next album (The Last Temptation) went Platinum in the U.S.
On January 3, 2003, Murder Inc.'s office was raided by federal agents trying to find evidence that Murder Inc. was funneling and laundering drug money for Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.[1] Another setback the label suffered was its core artist Ja Rule participating in a feud with rapper 50 Cent which had been occupant since 1999. Blood in My Eye, Ja's fifth studio album, released in November 2003, included diss tracks aimed at 50 and G-Unit, as well as Eminem.[5] The album didn't live up to any commercial success. Three months earlier, Ashanti obtained more success on her own with a second studio album, Chapter II, becoming her second number one album in her career.[6] Charli Baltimore, however, didn't have any time to release an album under the label, causing her to leave in October 2003.
Murder Inc. and TVT Records were also blocked by Universal from releasing a Cash Money Click reunion album featuring Ja Rule, due to his contractual obligations.[7] Def Jam was ordered to pay TVT $132 million in punitive damages in 2003.[8] However, Def Jam won an appeal and instead only paid TVT $126,720.[9] The Cash Money Click reunion album, scheduled for a November 2002 release through Murder Inc., was ultimately shelved.
Despite having a roster of many artists, the only artists to have released solo studio albums were Ashanti, Ja Rule, Vanessa Carlton, and Lloyd. Throughout Murder Inc.'s years, many artists were scheduled to release studio albums, but many artists on the label were shelved. Vita's debut album on Murder Inc., La Dolce Vita, was originally scheduled to be released on December 11, 2001, but that was then delayed to Fall 2002. However, the album was ultimately shelved after Vita left Murder Inc. Caddillac Tah's debut album, Pov City Hustla, was originally scheduled to be released on November 13, 2001 through Murder Inc. Records. However, the album was ultimately shelved. Black Child's debut album was originally scheduled to be released in January 2002, but was delayed to 2003 before being shelved completely. Other albums intended to be released though Murder Inc. but ultimately shelved also include Ronnie Bumps' debut album and a D.O. Cannon and Merc collaboration album, which was shelved after D.O. Cannon was killed in 2003. The latter two albums were all originally scheduled for a 2003 release.
The Inc. rebrand (2003–2008)
On December 4, 2003, during a press conference, Irv Gotti announced that in light of the recent changes, setbacks, and controversies surrounding the label, Murder Inc. would be renamed to The Inc. In 2004, Lloyd was signed and released his debut album Southside. Ja Rule would see his music return to form, with his Gold RIAA-selling sixth studio album R.U.L.E., while Ashanti would also release her fourth studio album, Concrete Rose, neither of which were as successful as both artists' previous works. At the end of 2004, they were ordered to leave Def Jam offices while the investigations were on. When the trials began in early 2005, Def Jam made them honor their contracts and release compilation albums; then they were not re-signed.
Murder Inc. spent 2005 and part of 2006 searching for distribution. In August 2006, Irv Gotti and The Inc. signed to Universal Motown and soon began releasing music. [10][11] After settling in at Universal Motown, Irv Gotti signed Vanessa Carlton that year.
Decline (2007–2012)
On August 1, 2007, Ja Rule would return to radio and television on Sucker Free on MTV, where he debuted his single "Uh-Ohhh!!" with Lil Wayne and his return to recording music.
In May 2009, in an interview with Angie Martinez, Irv Gotti stated that Murder Inc. was leaving Universal Motown. That same month, Irv Gotti announced to MTV that he was releasing Ashanti from her contract with Murder Inc. A month later Lloyd—who had been with Murder Inc. for 5 years—asked to be released from his contract. Lloyd cited the need for more control and change as reasons for his departure from the slowly shrinking label. "I'm ready for a change. There's no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand my position," Lloyd explained in a press release.
"We find ourselves in limbo for the second time in three years," Henry 'Noonie' Lee, Lloyd's manager said in a statement. "It's frustrating to know that opportunities to advance Lloyd's career are out there but we can't exploit them due to our current situation. Even though Lloyd is appreciative of the opportunity that has been afforded him by Murder Inc., he feels it's time for him to move on and seek opportunities that will allow him to build and enhance his brand."
That same year, Ja Rule announced that he was no longer signed to Murder Inc. as well, the same label he had been with since its beginnings in 1997. Ja Rule decided to go independent on his own label, Mpire, which is distributed through Fontana. Although Ja Rule had departed from Murder Inc., he revealed he was still on great terms with Irv Gotti and the two worked together for Ja Rule's next album, Pain Is Love 2. Baltimore soon left the label in 2010 for new opportunities.
Partnership deals (2013–2017)
In September 2013, Murder Inc. was relaunched as an umbrella label under Irv Gotti's new label, Visionary. On September 27, Murder Inc. released its first songs in years, Ja Rule's "Fresh Out da Pen" and "Everything", both produced by Murder Inc./Visionary producers Reefa and Myles William.[12]
In June 2017, it was announced that Murder Inc. had partnered with 300.[13]
Legal issues
On Friday, January 3, 2003, federal agents and New York Police Department investigators raided the headquarters of Murder Inc. Records, located at One Worldwide Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. The raid was a part of a yearlong investigation into the connection between The Lorenzo brothers and American drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. Investigators believed that the Lorenzos launched Murder Inc. Records using money bankrolled by McGriff to launder McGriff's drug money, as well as help McGriff launder drug money through the making of the 2003 film Crime Partners.[14] Although computers and documents were seized, no charges were immediately filed, and no arrests were immediately made. The raid was dramatized in the music video for Ja Rule's "Murder Reigns".
Chris and Irv Gotti's history with McGriff dates back to 1994, when McGriff, newly paroled from prison, met Chris and Irv on the set of a music video in Queens, New York. McGriff wanted to go into cinematography and sought help from Chris and Irv Gotti to produce and direct a film based on Donald Goines' Kenyatta series' novel Crime Partners. The Lorenzos since then maintained a friendship with McGriff, having him appear in the music video for Ja Rule's 1999 single "Murda 4 Life" and helped financed McGriff's dream project, Crime Partners, around 2000.
On January 25, 2005, Chris and Irv Gotti surrendered to authorities in New York City and were officially charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. During the trial, Irv Gotti was represented by Gerald B. Lefcourt, and Chris Gotti was represented by Gerald Shargel. In December 2005, Chris and Irv Gotti were found not guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money.[15]
