The early 2000s was, in many ways, different from 2020. Sure, Jennifer Lopez was already making waves back then but if you look her evolution in pictures, you’ll see some stark differences in her style. Meanwhile, it’s also worth noting that around this time, Lopez also had some associations with a then-famous record label called Murder, Inc. That’s because the singer/actress/talent judge used to work on some songs with one of Murder, Inc. resident talents, Ja Rule. Things were going really great for Murder, Inc. and Ja until they got the attention of the FBI.
Who Is Murder, Inc.?
Perhaps, one of the things that fans don’t know about Ja Rule’s private life is that Murder, Inc. was responsible for his music stardom. The company was founded by its president Irving “Gotti” Lorenzo. And through Lorenzo’s label, Ja released hits such as Always on Time, Put It on Me, Holla Holla, and more.
Aside from Ja Rule, the label also launched the career of Ashanti, an artist whose recent photos make us miss her music today. Murder, Inc. also introduced artists such as Cadillac Tac, Black Child, Charli Baltimore, Lloyd and many others. Meanwhile, Lorenzo’s company was also associated with rapper Jay-Z who went on to establish Roc-A-Fella Records. Unfortunately, Gotti was also linked to a convicted gang leader by the name of Kenneth McGriff.
Here’s Why Murder, Inc. Got Faced Charges
Back in 2005, the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that Murder, Inc. had become the subject of a “coordinated initiative” that involved the FBI, NYPD, ATF, and IRS. McGriff’s gang, the Supreme Team, ran an extensive drug distribution operation and Murder, Inc. was accused of helping McGriff in “concealing the profits of its narcotics-trafficking operations by laundering more than $1 million of drug proceeds in a variety of ways.” Charges were brought against Gotti, his brother, Christopher Lorenzo, and Ronald Robinson who served as Ja Rule’s manager.
The indictment alleged that McGriff and his associates would hand-deliver drug cash to Murder, Inc. offices. In exchange, Lorenzo would issue checks to benefit McGriff. In addition, the record label was also accused of allowing its straight-to-video film, Crime Partners, to be financed by McGriff’s drug money. Aside from this, Murder Inc.’s bookkeeper, Cynthia Brent, allegedly deposited McGriff’s drug funds to bank accounts that were controlled by the Lorenzo brothers.
If convicted, the Lorenzo brothers, Robinson, and Brent would have been sentenced to 20 years incarceration. The Lorenzo brothers pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, McGriff himself and two of his associates faced the possibility of life imprisonment or death.
When the indictment was made public, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Pasquale J. D’Amuro released a statement clarifying, “This case was never about investigating the rap music industry.” He added, “Whether their tastes run to rap, rock or classical, those who launder drug money and engage in violent criminal acts will face the music of aggressive law enforcement scrutiny and lengthy prison sentences.” Meanwhile, ATF Special Agent-in-Charge William G. McMahon remarked, “Hiding behind a business or a record label does not shield one from the law, nor does it give an individual the right to be above the law.”
Following the prosecution, the brothers were eventually found not guilty. “In this case the government is wrong,” Gotti announced outside the courthouse following the verdict, according to Rolling Stone. “I would never have worked this hard, from nothing to having millions of dollars, to jeopardize it with something stupid or illegal.”
After Murder, Inc. Fed Case, Ja-Rule Finds Himself In A Legal Mess Of His Own
Ja Rule himself may not have been linked to McGriff’s drug operations. However, the rapper landed in hot water following the Fyre Festival fiasco. Attendees of the 2018 event filed a class-action lawsuit against the festival organizers, specifically, it’s co-founder, Billy McFarland. In the end, the plaintiffs won the lawsuit as McFarland pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud and misleading investors.
As for Ja Rule, he was cleared of any wrongdoing despite his highly publicized involvement when it came to promoting the festival. According to The Guardian, New York City southern district judge P Kevin Castel said that the plaintiffs were unable to establish proof that Ja Rule’s promotion of the Fyre Festival directly led to ticket purchases. Following his dismissal from suit, Ja Rule’s lawyer, Ryan Hayden Smith, issued a statement saying that the “ruling is nothing short of a total vindication.” Now, he’s free to get back to his music, which seems to be what Murder, Inc. wanted all along.
Where Is Murder, Inc. Today?
While outside the courthouse, Gotti also proclaimed, “Me and my Inc. family, you’re going to be hearing some music [from us].” Back in 2019, Gotti even spoke of a reunion tour, telling TheGrio that it’s “one hundred percent happening.” The music mogul added, “We’re just getting the logistics right and we’re gonna go out on a worldwide tour. We’re gonna tour the states and overseas.”
For now, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.