Featuring production from Irv Gotti (who also executive produced the album) as well as guest appearances from Murder Inc. artists Tah Murdah, Black Child and Nemesis in their debut commercial 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. among the most popular artists and labels in the industry, respectively.

The album marked a significant change in Murder Inc.'s musical style, shifting from hardcore hip hop to a more radio-friendly pop rap oriented sound that targeted the female demographic, which in turn resulted in greater commercial success.

The album debuted and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200, and would ultimately be certified triple platinum by the RIAA for selling three million units in America.

Pain Is Love featured guest appearances from regular labelmates Caddillac Tah, Black Child, O-1 as well as newly signed artists Charli Baltimore, Jodie Mack, and Ashanti.

Murder Inc. scored another hit single with "Down 4 U", and the album peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard 200 and was ultimately certified Gold by the RIAA.

[1] 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.

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.

Murder Inc. and TVT Records were also blocked by Universal from releasing a Cash Money Click reunion album featuring Ja Rule, due to his contractual obligations.

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. would be renamed to The Inc.[11] In 2004, Lloyd was signed and released his debut album Southside.

When the trials began in early 2005, Def Jam made them honor their contracts and release compilation albums; then they were not re-signed.

On August 1, 2007, Ja Rule would return to radio and television on Sucker Free on MTV, where he debuted his single "Uh-Ohhh!!"

It was the final album released from The Inc. On May 5, 2009, in an interview with Angie Martinez, Irv Gotti stated that Murder Inc. was leaving Universal Motown.

Though Irv discussed in the interview that he would most likely reunite with Lyor Cohen and move to Warner Music Group for distribution, this did not happen.

[15] In July 2022, Irv Gotti sold his fifty percent ownership stake in the master recordings of Murder Inc. to brand management and music rights company Iconoclast for $100 million.

[16][17] Irv Gotti had suffered a minor stroke in early 2024 as a result of his diabetes, which caused him to change his dietary habits.

[19][20][21] On January 3, 2003, federal agents and New York Police Department investigators raided the headquarters of Murder Inc., located at One Worldwide Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, after a $65 million check from Universal Music was written to Irv.

[22] The raid was a part of a year-long investigation into the connection between the Lorenzo brothers and American drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.

Investigators believed that the Lorenzos used over $1 million[23] in drug money supplied by McGriff to launch Murder Inc. as a way to launder the illegal funds.

Investigators also believed the brothers helped McGriff launder drug money through the making of the 2003 film Crime Partners.

The Lorenzos from then on maintained a friendship with McGriff, helping initially finance for $250,000–300,000[29][28] then a $500,000 advance on a $1 million soundtrack deal[27] for the dream film project, Crime Partners 2000.

[30][25] The film had McGriff credited as producer and co-writer, was released direct-to-video, and had appearances by Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, Snoop Dogg, and Ice-T.[31][25] On January 25, 2005, the Lorenzos, talent manager Ronald Robinson, and bookkeeper Cynthia Brent[32] surrendered to authorities in New York City and were officially charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money.

[33] A task force was created by the office of Roslynn Mauskopf with Raymond Kelly, Pasquale D'Amuro, Michael J. Thomas, and William G.