The music machine that made rapper Ja-Rule and princess of hip-hop and soul Ashanti into legends is getting its own documentary series slated to give viewers the untold story of the rise, unexpected fall, and redemption of the Irv Gotti-created New York City record label “Murder Inc” in a narrated, unscripted, five-part event.
News of the forthcoming docuseries appeared to quickly grab the attention of many Ashanti supporters who took to the comments section of various social media accounts, noting that “we will not stand for any Ashanti slander,” as declared by one Instagram user. “There better be no Ashanti slander!!” echoed another person.
As previously reported, Ashanti and her former label boss didn’t appear to be on the same page after the 41-year-old songstress announced that she was re-recording her debut self-titled album. Gotti claimed that by re-releasing her project, Ashanti was messing over him financially by having fans pick the updated version of the album. The music boss allegedly owns the singer’s masters.
Ashanti has often been vocal about artists owning their masters, traditionally meaning the official original recording of a song, sound or performance.“You get the right to re-record,” the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter said during an interview Angie Martinez last year.
“So what happens is once I re-record that and that’s available, that’s what goes to all of the streaming platforms and all of those residuals, and that money comes to me,” she added. The “Foolish” singer claimed that the music executive didn’t own her masters, but still took issue with Ashanti wanting them to use for various projects like going on tour.
Ashanti said attempts were made to “bury the hatch,” however, Gotti’s reactions to the situation were “too much,” she said. “ ‘You get the right to re-record.’ So what happens is once I re-record that and that’s available, that’s what goes to all of the streaming platforms and all of those residuals, and that money comes to me,” she added.
The docu-series is executive produced by Gotti, Rule, Tiffany Lea Williams, Darcell Lawrence and Chris Costine. It is scheduled to premier in Summer 2022 on BET. In a statement regarding the docuseries, Gotti said, “My life and Murder Inc. has been filled with many highs and lows.” He added, “I got to work with my brothers and a lot of great people, from Jay Z, DMX, Fat Joe, Mary J Blige, to name a few.”
More Stories from Our Partners:
Black Founders Reflect on the Present and Future of Black Entrepreneurship
