Murder Inc. (rap group)

In 1987, DJ Irv Gotti met Jay-Z and the two ran around London together while Jaz-O was recording his debut album Word to the Jaz. Irv would later remark: "I knew Jay was different and special from then". In 1988, Irv met DMX through his relationship with Jay-Z and Jaz-O, as they went on tour with Main Source and The U.M.C.'s. Irv shared a room with a guy named Dr. Ceuss, who saw his love for Hip-Hop and told him he should work with DMX and this crew out in Yonkers called Ruff Ryders. Irv convinced Ruff Ryders co-founder Waah Dean to buy him a drum machine to produce tracks for DMX. Irv would later say, "First time I heard X rhyme, blew me away, his energy & rawness, knew he was different and special." In 1993, Irv met Ja Rule through Chris Black, who was "a straight hustler." At the time, Ja and Chris were members of the group Cash Money Click, with O-1 as the third member. Irv said, "As soon as I met Ja and heard him spit, he immediately stood out from the pack".

Irv and Ja would become like brothers, as Ja would go everywhere with Irv, traveling to Yonkers to hang out with DMX and the Ruff Ryders, or meeting up with Jay-Z whenever Irv could. With little success, Irv continued to promote them all, putting out "Make A Move" with DMX at Sony Music, and "4 My Click" with Ja and the Cash Money Click at TVT Records/Blunt Records. In 1995, Jay-Z brought Damon Dash and Biggs to the studio and announced that they were his partners at Roc-A-Fella Records, asking Irv to help them. After Jay-Z recorded his debut album Reasonable Doubt, Irv brought "Ain't No Nigga" to Funkmaster Flex, and informed him of the Roc-A-Fella movement. Flex responded by playing the record on radio that night. Due to his involvement with Roc-A-Fella, Irv was then hired by Lyor Cohen to work at Def Jam Recordings. During Irv's first meeting with the label, he announced his plan to sign DMX, and was laughed at by record executives.

A few months later, Irv quit Def Jam because they refused to sign DMX. He was asked to return by Lyor, who told the A&R department, which included James Jones and Tina Davis, that Irv was to answer to him and Kevin Liles only. Irv immediately took Lyor, Liles and Damon Dash to Yonkers to visit the Ruff Ryders studio. When they arrived, The Lox, Drag-On and others were freestyling, as was DMX, with his jaws wired shut. Following their departure from the studio, Lyor, who was giddy with excitement, said "We have the pick of the litter." DMX immediately received an offer from Def Jam and after signing, began recording his debut album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. Irv then brought "Get at Me Dog" to Funkmaster Flex, and explained who DMX and the Ruff Ryders were.

During this time, Ja Rule was stuck at TVT Records/Blunt Records with Steve Gottlieb, but Irv convinced Lyor to get Ja out of his contract and sign him to Def Jam. David McPherson, an executive at Sony Music, called Irv and set up a meeting, hoping to persuade Irv to produce for him. During the meeting, McPherson said: "I see what you're doing over there at Def Jam with Jay and X, and I am here on behalf of Tommy Mottola, we want to offer you a label deal". This offer forced Lyor's hand, and Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons gifted Irv $3 million to start his own label, Murder Inc. Records. To solidify Murder Inc., Irv had Ja Rule record his debut album Venni Vetti Vecci, and gave the song "Holla Holla" to Funkmaster Flex. Irv also put together a supergroup called Murder Inc., which consisted of DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule. The trio appeared on the June 1999 front and back cover of XXL magazine. Due to issues between Jay-Z and DMX, and the disdain that arose after their freestyle battle in the 1990s, an album never materialized, though the trio did record six tracks together.[3]

The public image of the record label Murder Inc. was complex and controversial, as it was associated with both the music industry and the criminal underworld. At its peak, Murder Inc. was known for its roster of successful artists, including Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lloyd. The label also had a reputation for producing catchy, radio-friendly hits that blended hip-hop and R&B. In their book "Hip Hop Matters: Politics, Pop Culture, and the Struggle for the Soul of a Movement[4]," authors S. Craig Watkins and Adam Haupt describe Murder Inc. as a label that "pushed the limits of what was acceptable in hip-hop" (p. 149). They argue that the label's blend of hip-hop and R&B, as well as its emphasis on materialism and violence, reflected the changing cultural and economic landscape of the early 2000s.

However, Murder Inc.'s public image was tarnished by its association with a high-profile criminal case. In 2003, the label and its founder Irv Gotti were investigated by federal authorities for alleged ties to drug trafficking and money laundering. While Gotti and the label were eventually acquitted of all charges, the case damaged Murder Inc.'s reputation and led to a decline in its popularity. In a journal article titled "From Murder Inc. to G-Unit: Hip-Hop and the Reassertion of Black Masculinity,[5]" author Natasha L. Mikles analyzes the public image of Murder Inc. and other hip-hop labels in the context of bln ack masculinity. She argues that labels like Murder Inc. played a role in shaping the way that black men were perceived in the media, often reinforcing negative stereotypes and promoting a hypermasculine image. Furthermore, author Kim Pearson[6] examines the impact of the criminal investigations into Murder Inc. on the label's public image. She argues that the investigations, which were widely publicized in the media, contributed to a moral panic about hip-hop and its supposed ties to violence and crime.

In conclusion, the public image of Murder Inc. label has been marred by controversies surrounding its alleged involvement in criminal activities and ongoing legal battles. While the label was s uccessful in producing chart-topping hits and launching the careers of notable artists such as Ja Rule and Ashanti, its association with organized crime has overshadowed its musical accomplishments. Additionally Murder Inc. also faced criticism from some quarters for promoting a violent and materialistic image in its music, therefore, the label's name and branding, which played on the notorious reputation of the original Murder Inc., also drew controversy and accusations of glorifying organized crime. Despite attempts to distance itself from its notorious reputation, Murder Inc. struggled to regain the trust and support of the public and the music industry. As journalist Joan Morgannotes in her article for The New York Times, "Murder Inc. was a cautionary tale of what happens when the desire for success and money eclipses all else, including ethical boundaries."[7] Overall, these sources suggest that the public image of Murder Inc. was shaped by a range of factors, including the label's musical style, its association with violence and materialism, and the criminal investigations into its founders and artists.

Murder Inc. had a roster of artists with different music styles, but they were primarily known for their blend of hip-hop and R&B. Here is a brief description of some of the artists on the label and their music styles:

1. Ja Rule: Ja Rule was the most successful artist on Murder Inc. and was known for his smooth vocals and aggressive rapping style. His music often featured catchy hooks and collaborations with R&B singers. He was also known for his controversial feuds with other rappers, including 50 Cent that in turn promoted his music. Songs include; "Murdergram", "Gangsta Shit", "Its Murda"
2. Charli Baltimore: Charli Baltimore was a female rapper on Murder Inc. who was known for her tough persona and hard-hitting rhymes. Her music often featured collaborations with Ja Rule and other Murder Inc. artists. Songs include; "Down Ass Chick", "Down 4 U"
3. Ashanti: Ashanti was the label's leading female artist and was known for her soulful vocals and catchy pop melodies. Her music often had a romantic theme and featured collaborations with Ja Rule and other Murder Inc. artists. Songs include; "Happy", "Mesmerize"
4. Lloyd: Lloyd was a singer known for his smooth R&B vocals and catchy hooks. He had a more laid-back style than some of the other Murder Inc. artists and often sang about love and relationships. Songs include; "Southside", "Hey Young Girl"
5. Jay-Z: It's important to note that Jay-Z was never signed to Murder Inc. label, although he did collaborate with several of its artists during his career. Jay-Z's music style during this time was characterized by his smooth delivery and witty wordplay. His lyrics often touched on themes of street life, hustling, and the pursuit of success. He also incorporated elements of soul and R&B into his music, creating a unique blend of hip-hop that appealed to a wide audience. Songs include; "Can I Get A...", "Money, Cash, Hoes", "Murdergram"
6. DMX: DMX, on the other hand, was signed to the label and released several albums during that time. his gritty, aggressive style that reflected his rough upbringing in Yonkers, New York. His music often delved into dark and personal themes, such as his struggles with addiction and his experiences with violence. DMX's distinctive growl and intense energy made him one of the most dynamic performers of his time and helped him to stand out in an era dominated by bling-obsessed rappers. Songs include; "Grand Finale", "Bath Salts", "Blackout"

Overall, the artists on Murder Inc. had a diverse range of music styles, but they were united by their blend of hip-hop and R&B, as well as their association with the label's controversial public image. furthermore, while Jay-Z and DMX had different music styles, they both played important roles in shaping the sound of hip-hop in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their collaborations with Murder Inc. artists helped to bring attention to the label and solidify its place in the music industry.

Murder Inc. for the time that it was active played an important role in the development of hip-hop during that time. The label after its establishment quickly became known for producing hit songs that blended hip-hop with elements of R&B and pop music through the use of multiple artist and their respective skills. One of the key contributions of Murder Inc. to hip-hop was its role in popularizing the "hip-pop" sound, which blended rap with catchy hooks and melodic choruses. As music scholar Mark Anthony Neal notes in his book[8] Murder Inc. "specialized in the synthesis of hip-hop and R&B" and helped to "legitimize the pop leanings that had become an increasingly significant part of hip-hop's commercial success" (Neal, 2009, p. 201). The label's artists, including Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Jennifer Lopez, produced a string of hits that topped the charts and appealed to a broad audience due to its unique sound.

When examining the individual artists from Murder Inc., it becomes clear that each continued to add to and expand upon their hip-hop legacy after the group's dissolution, opening up new channels for the development of various subgenres. Another contribution of Murder Inc. to hip-hop was its focus on storytelling and narrative. Many of the label's songs, particularly those by Ja Rule, depicted vivid scenes of street life and the struggles of urban youth. As music scholar James Braxton Peterson notes in his book,[9] Ja Rule's music "emphasized his own personal story as a reflection of the lives of young black men in America" and helped to "add an element of personal experience to the world of hip-hop storytelling" (Peterson, 2014, p. 94). By infusing their music with personal stories and experiences, Murder Inc. artists helped to create a deeper connection with their audience and elevate hip-hop as an art form.

At the end of the day, Murder Inc WAS a supergroup that ended up failing. The biggest factor that led to their failure was their egos. The failure of the group did end up leading to their individual successes and they all influenced the genre of hip-hop differently. They all influenced the rap genre in their own individual raps, putting more emphasis on the different genres of music like lyrical rap (DMX) and hip hop (Ja Rule and Jay-Z). In addition to this, some of the artists were able to successfully create their own record labels signing younger artists to create both similar and different sounds to theirs.

• East Coast hip hop
• List of East Coast hip hop artists
• List of musical supergroups

• Hip-Hop Gem: Murder Inc. Was Supposed To Be A Hip-Hop Supergroup. Stopthebreaks.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021
• Irv Gotti Explains How Jay Z, DMX and Ja Rule Got Their Record Deals. XXL. Retrieved July 12, 2021
• Ja Rule says supergroup with Jay-Z and DMX was “like pulling teeth” to get done. NME. Retrieved July 12, 2021
• Ja Rule reveals why he’s “happy” supergroup with DMX and JAY-Z failed. Revolt. Retrieved July 12, 2021
• DMX Was Almost Part of a Supergroup With Jay-Z and Ja Rule. CheatSheet. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• Jay-Z with DMX and Ja Rule: Murder Inc. Hip Hop News Journal. Retrieved May 2, 2021
• DJ Khaled Brought Together the Jay Z, Ja Rule, and DMX Supergroup That Never Was. Complex. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• JAY-Z AND DMX 'DID NOT LIKE EACH OTHER,' IRV GOTTI SAYS. MTV. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• JAY Z, DMX AND JA RULE COULD'VE HAD THE GREATEST RAP GROUP OF ALL TIME. MTV. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• Murder Inc.: The Supergroup That Never Was. The Passion of Christopher Pierznik. Retrieved May 28, 2021
• JA RULE RECALLS JAY-Z & DMX MURDER INC. SUPERGROUP FAILING — MUCH TO HIS BENEFIT. HipHopDX. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• DMX's past feuds: How rapper's beef with Jay Z and Ja Rule shattered their dreams of Murder Inc. Meaww. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• Ja Rule explains why group with Jay-Z and DMX didn’t happen and his own career path, with Geto Boys [VIDEO]. Hip-HopVibe.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• JA RULE, DMX & JAY Z ONCE PLANNED TO FORM A SUPERGROUP. The Source. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• JAY Z & KENDRICK JOIN BEYONCE; MURDER INC. REUNITES. RapRadar. Retrieved December 28, 2021
• EXCLUSIVE: Flashback: Ja Rule on Forming "Murder Inc" Supergroup with Jay Z & DMX. VladTV. Retrieved May 28, 2021
• (Comp) JAY-Z, DMX & JA RULE - "Introducing Murder Inc. '95-'99". The Lost Tapes. Retrieved December 28, 2021