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Murder Inc. (rap group)

From Alfawiki
Murder Inc.
Company typeRecord label, hip hop collective
IndustryMusic
Founded1995
FounderIrv Gotti
Defunct2000
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
East Coast, United States
Key people
Irv Gotti
ProductsHip hop music, albums, singles

Murder Inc. was a prominent American East Coast hip hop collective established in 1995 by music executive Irv Gotti, consisting of artists Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule. Their initial collaboration appeared on Mic Geronimo's 1995 song "Time to Build," and they were later featured on the cover of XXL magazine in June 1999.

In 1998, Irv Gotti transformed "Murder Inc." into a record label, signing Ja Rule as its lead performer. The supergroup dissolved in 2000 amid internal disagreements.

History

Irv Gotti first encountered Jay-Z in 1987 during sessions for Jaz-O's debut album, quickly recognizing his talent. By 1988, through connections with Jay-Z and Jaz-O, Irv met DMX and began producing for the Ruff Ryders collective. In 1993, he discovered Ja Rule and was drawn to his unique sound.

Early in their careers, Irv supported these artists by releasing tracks such as DMX's "Make A Move" and Ja Rule's contributions with Cash Money Click. After Jay-Z formed Roc-A-Fella Records alongside Damon Dash and Kareem Burke in 1995, Irv assisted in promoting their debut album Reasonable Doubt, notably securing airplay for "Ain't No Nigga". This success led to Irv’s recruitment at Def Jam Recordings.

Though initially turned down by Def Jam executives when proposing to sign DMX, Irv departed but was soon rehired by Lyor Cohen with direct endorsement. He introduced the label to Ruff Ryders talents including DMX, The Lox, and Drag-On. DMX subsequently signed with Def Jam and recorded It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, with Irv facilitating radio promotion for the single "Get at Me Dog".

Simultaneously, Irv negotiated Ja Rule’s release from TVT Records/Blunt Records and secured his contract with Def Jam. Sony executive David McPherson then offered Irv a label deal supported by Tommy Mottola, prompting Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons to invest $3 million to launch Murder Inc. Records.

Irv positioned Ja Rule’s first album Venni Vetti Vecci as the label’s flagship project, pushing the single "Holla Holla". Additionally, he formed Murder Inc. as a supergroup featuring Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule; despite recording six tracks together and appearing on XXL, internal conflicts prevented the release of a full album.

Discography

Collaborative works featuring DMX, Jay-Z & Ja Rule
Title Artist(s) Producer(s) Album Release date
"Time To Build" Mic Geronimo featuring Ja Rule, Jay-Z and DMX Irv Gotti The Natural March 21, 1995
"If It's On It's On" Ja Rule, Chris Black and Nemesis featuring Jay-Z, DMX, Infared and Black Child Irv Gotti Freaknik '96 Vinyl 1996
"Read About It Freestyle" DJ Craig G featuring DMX and Ja Rule RZA Summer Jamz 1997
"The Usual Suspects OG" Mic Geronimo featuring DMX, Ja Rule, Cormega and Hussein Fatal Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool Def Jam's How to Be a Player Soundtrack August 5, 1997
"Grand Finale (Dogz-4-Life) OG" DJ Clue featuring DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man and Nas Lil Rob and Irv Gotti This Is It!! Part One 1998
"I Shot Ya '98 Freestyle" DMX featuring Ja Rule Poke & Tone The Unstoppable Def Jam Sampler 1998
"Usual Suspects (The Siege)" Mic Geronimo featuring DMX, Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Styles P and Tragedy Khadafi Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool Vendetta January 24, 1998
"Murdergram" Jay-Z, Ja Rule and DMX Tyrone Fyffe Streets is Watching Soundtrack May 12, 1998
"Can I Get A..." Jay-Z featuring Ja Rule and Amil Lil Rob and Irv Gotti Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life August 22, 1998
"Money, Cash, Hoes" Jay-Z featuring DMX and Pain in da Ass Swizz Beatz Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life September 29, 1998
"Grand Finale" DMX featuring Ja Rule, Method Man and Nas Lil Rob and Irv Gotti Belly (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) October 27, 1998
"Gangsta Shit" DJ Clue featuring Jay-Z and Ja Rule Duro, DJ Clue and Lil Rob The Professional December 15, 1998
"Grand Finale Remix" DMX featuring Ja Rule, Vita, Method Man and Nas Lil Rob and Irv Gotti Grand Finale Vinyl Single 1998
"Blackout" DMX featuring Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P. Swizz Beatz Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood December 22, 1998
"More Money, More Cash, More Hoes Remix" Jay-Z featuring DMX, Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek Swizz Beatz The Corruptor: The Soundtrack February 23, 1999
"Kill 'Em All" Ja Rule featuring Jay-Z Self and Irv Gotti Venni Vetti Vecci March 2, 1999
"It's Murda" Ja Rule featuring DMX and Jay-Z Tyrone Fyffe, Irv Gotti and Richard "Love" Marshall Venni Vetti Vecci March 2, 1999
"Holla Holla Remix" Ja Rule featuring Jay-Z, Vita, Caddillac Tah, Memphis Bleek, Black Child and Busta Rhymes Lil Rob, Irv Gotti and Mr. Fingaz Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers July 18, 1999
"Why We Die" Busta Rhymes featuring DMX and Jay-Z P. Killer Trackz Anarchy June 20, 2000
"Stay Flawless" N.O.R.E. featuring DMX, Ja Rule and Yummy Bingham December 21, 2009
"Bath Salts" DMX featuring Jay-Z, Nas and Swizz Beatz Swizz Beatz and Prime Maximus Exodus May 28, 2021


See also

Further reading

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