Murder Inc. (rap group)

American hip hop group

Not to be confused with Murder Inc Records.

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Murder Inc.

DMX (left), Jay-Z and Ja Rule (right) backstage at Beyonce's Formation World Tour finale in New Jersey 2016

Background information
Origin| New York City, U.S.
Genres|

* East Coast hip hop
* hardcore hip hop

Years active| 1995–2000
Labels|

* Def Jam

Formed by|

* Irv Gotti

Past members| Jay-Z
DMX (deceased)
Ja Rule

Murder Inc. was an American East Coast hip hop supergroup composed of Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule, formed by record executive Irv Gotti in 1995.[1] They first appeared in tandem on fellow New York-based rapper Mic Geronimo's 1995 song "Time to Build." After each gaining commercial success, the trio later appeared on the cover for the June 1999 issue of the hip-hop magazine XXL.[2]

"Murder Inc." was rebranded by Irv Gotti to a namesake record label that he co-founded in 1998; Ja Rule was signed to the label and served as its flagship artist. Shortly afterward, the group disbanded in 2000 due to internal conflicts.

## History

[edit]

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 them". 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 producer Chad Elliott, 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]

## Discography

[edit]

List of collaborations between 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

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Jay-Z Believes "Ambition" & "Ego" Derailed Murder Inc Supergroup with Ja Rule & DMX". HNHH. August 13, 2022.
2. ^ Markman, Rob. "JAY Z, DMX AND JA RULE COULD'VE HAD THE GREATEST RAP GROUP OF ALL TIME". mtv.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
3. ^ "Irv Gotti Explains How Jay Z, DMX and Ja Rule Got Their Record Deals". August 27, 2015.

## Further reading

[edit]

* 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

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Jay-Z

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* Reasonable Doubt
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* The Black Album
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Collaborative albums|

* The Best of Both Worlds (with R. Kelly)
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* Everything Is Love (with Beyoncé as The Carters)

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Compilation albums|

* The Hits Collection, Volume One

Concert tours|

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Related articles|

* Roc-A-Fella Records
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* 40/40 Club
* Beyoncé (wife)
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* A Written Testimony
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* Live Nation Entertainment
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* Murder Inc.
* Project Panther Bidco
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* Category

* v
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* e

DMX

* Discography

Studio albums|

* It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
* Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
* ... And Then There Was X
* The Great Depression
* Grand Champ
* Year of the Dog... Again
* Undisputed
* Exodus

Compilations|

* The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter
* The Best of DMX
* Redemption of the Beast

Singles|

* "Get at Me Dog"
* "Stop Being Greedy"
* "How's It Goin' Down"
* "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
* "Grand Finale"
* "Slippin'"
* "What's My Name?"
* "What These Bitches Want"
* "Party Up (Up in Here)
* "No Sunshine"
* "We Right Here"
* "Who We Be"
* "I Miss You"
* "X Gon' Give It to Ya"
* "Where the Hood At?"
* "Get It on the Floor"
* "We in Here"
* "Lord Give Me a Sign"

Featured singles|

* "4, 3, 2, 1"
* "Money, Power & Respect"
* "Shut 'Em Down"
* "Money, Cash, Hoes"
* "Come Back in One Piece"
* "Tear It Up"
* "Touch It (Remix)"
* "Kant Nobody"

Other songs|

* "24 Hrs. to Live"
* "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)"

Related articles|

* Bloodline Records
* Ruff Ryders Entertainment
* Murder Inc.
* DMX: Soul of a Man
* Cradle 2 the Grave (soundtrack)
* DMX: Don't Try to Understand

* v
* t
* e

Ja Rule

Discography

Studio albums|

* Venni Vetti Vecci
* Rule 3:36
* Pain Is Love
* The Last Temptation
* Blood in My Eye
* R.U.L.E.
* Pain Is Love 2

Compilation albums|

* Exodus
* Icon

Mixtapes|

* The Mirror

Singles|

* "Holla Holla"
* "Between Me and You"
* "Put It on Me"
* "I Cry"
* "Livin' It Up"
* "Always on Time"
* "Down Ass Bitch"
* "Down 4 U"
* "Thug Lovin'"
* "Mesmerize"
* "Reign"
* "Clap Back"
* "Wonderful"
* "New York"
* "Caught Up"
* "Uh-Ohhh!"
* "Body"
* "Real Life Fantasy"

Featured artist|

* "Can I Get A..."
* "Grand Finale"
* "Girlfriend/Boyfriend"
* "Damn (Should've Treated U Right)"
* "Get da Money"
* "I'm Real" (Murder Remix)
* "Ain't It Funny" (Murder Remix)
* "What's Going On"
* "Rainy Dayz"
* "What's Luv?"
* "Old Thing Back"
* "Helpless"

Tours|

* Summerbeatz

Related articles|

* Murder Inc. Records
* Murder Inc.
* Follow the Rules
* Growing Up Hip Hop: New York

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* 2
* VIAF

National|

* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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