

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. The Cash Money Click reunion album, scheduled for a November 2002 release through Murder Inc., was ultimately shelved. However, Def Jam won an appeal and instead only paid TVT $126,720. Def Jam was ordered to pay TVT $132 million in punitive damages in 2003. and TVT Records were also blocked by Universal from releasing a Cash Money Click reunion album featuring Ja Rule, due to his contractual obligations. Charli Baltimore, however, didn't have any time to release an album under the label, causing her to leave in October 2003. 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. The album didn't live up to any commercial success. 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. 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. was funneling and laundering drug money for Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. On January 3, 2003, Murder Inc.'s office was raided by federal agents trying to find evidence that Murder Inc. All three albums were originally scheduled for a 2003 release. Cannon and Young Merc collaboration album. but ultimately shelved also include Black Child's debut album, Ronnie Bumps' debut album, and a D.O. Other albums intended to be released though Murder Inc.

However, the album was ultimately shelved. Caddillac Tah's debut album, Pov City Hustla, was originally scheduled to be released through Murder Inc.

Ja Rule's next album ( The Last Temptation) went Platinum in the U.S. Although it was speculated that Nas would possibly sign to Murder Inc., the deal never materialized. started associating with Nas as he collaborated with Ja Rule and Ashanti for the remix to "The Pledge". Vita's debut album on Murder Inc., La Dolce Vita, was originally scheduled to be released in Fall 2002. That same month, Vita severed ties with 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. Cannon, Jody Mack, O-1, Ronnie Bumps and Young Merc. The album continued to showcase original artists like Ja Rule, Black Child, Vita and Caddillac Tah, while showcasing new artists like Ashanti and Charli Baltimore and Murder Inc. released the compilation, Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. Ja Rule's release of his multi-platinum selling album Pain Is Love was soon followed by Ashanti's multi-platinum selling debut, Ashanti, which spawned three hit singles on the Billboard charts. The label reached its peak of success from mid-2001 to early 2003. signed Charli Baltimore and Ashanti in 2001. artists and affiliates Black Child, Tah Murdah, Ja Rule, Ronnie Bumps, Vita, and O-1. Released to capitalize off of Ja Rule's success, the album showcased Murder Inc. compilation, Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers. That same year, Irv Gotti released the first Murder Inc. The album debuted and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard top 200, and would ultimately be certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA. The album featured Ja Rule and Murder Inc.'s first top 15 hit with Between Me and You and also featured appearances from Tah Murdah, Black Child, and Murder Inc.'s first female artist Vita. On October 10, 2000, Ja Rule released his second studio album, Rule 3:36. among the most popular artists and labels in the industry, respectively. 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. Featuring production from Irv Gotti (who also executive produced the album) as well as guest appearances from Murder Inc. released its first studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci by Ja Rule. signed Ja Rule, Black Child, Tah Murdah and Nemesis. 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. While watching Biography on A&E during gangster week, a Murder, Inc. History Formation and success (1999–2003) Īfter helping Def Jam with the success of DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule, Russell Simmons gave Irv Gotti his own label under Def Jam.
