The Inc. Records

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The Inc. Records

Parent company	Universal Music Group
Founded	1997
Founder(s)	Irv Gotti Ja Rule Chris Gotti
Distributing label	Universal Motown Records Group (US)
Genre(s)	Hip Hop/R&B/Pop
Country of origin	US
Official Website	http://www.theincrecords.com/

The Inc. Records (formerly known as Murder Inc.), established in 1997, is a hip hop record label (now also a Pop/Rock label as artist Vanessa Carlton recently signed with The Inc. Records), owned by record producer Irv Gotti. It features many current hip hop and R&B artists, such as Ja Rule, Ashanti, Cadillac Tah, Vita (former member) Charli Baltimore (former member), Black Child, and, Lloyd. Murder Inc. is responsible for jump-starting Ashanti's career, as well as for bringing Charli Baltimore and Bobby Brown back into the music scene in 2002. Both Brown and Baltimore were featured on Ja Rule singles that year, "Thug Lovin'" and "Down Ass Chick," respectively.

The label releases its product through distributor Def Jam Records, retaining control of its copyrights and masters. The label's big break came in 1999 when Ja Rule's Venni Vetti Vecci LP was a multi-platinum success. The roster grew from there, expanding to include R&B with the addition of Ashanti in 2002. Elektra Records artist Lil' Mo was a frequent collaborator with the Murder Inc. artists, and recorded two popular duets with Ja Rule, "Put It On Me" and "I Cry". In late 2002, she parted friendly company with the label, as her collaborations with them dwindled after the addition of Ashanti. She, 50 Cent, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes and Truth Hurts, were all the subjects of an underground freestyle record on which Ja Rule disses each of them.

On November 14, 2003 Gotti decided to shorten the name of the label to "The Inc.," most likely to appease music video channels and music stores that were uncomfortable with the label's use of the word "murder." In 2004, Gotti's label came under investigation for laundering money through his record label for New York City drug kingpin and childhood friend Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. On January 25, 2005, Gotti and his brother Chris turned themselves in, claiming innocence and uninvolvement in drug trade. They were released on $1 million bail, and wasn't tried alongside McGriff for the charges. Irv and Chris were found not guilty on all charges. Irv also signed three new artist Kayoz, Newz, Harry-o. Irv Gotti recently made an agreement with Universal Motown Records Group for a new distribution deal, which became official on September 28.

Vanessa Carlton, an alternative pop singer, was surprisingly signed to the label in late summer 2006 after the artist expressed her distaste with A&M Interscope after her sophomore album flopped.

The name Murder Inc. stems from a part of the National Crime Syndicate with the same name, during the prohibition-period, which dealt with contract-killing.

The Inc. recently signed Nicole Wray in a joint venture with Family over Everything Entertainment and Dame Dash Music Group.

Rumors say that Irv is looking to sign Jayo Felony , Beanie Sigel , Shyne , Method Man, Petey Pablo, Kurupt, N.O.R.E., Memphis Bleek and Kaisuan

Long Time Friend Christina Milian is in talks with Irv Gotti for a deal.