Podcast Summary: Chris Gotti | ROC Solid w/ Memphis Bleek

Podcast: ROC Solid
Host: Memphis Bleek
Guest: Chris Gotti
Release Date: December 23, 2025
Producer: Black Effect & iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of ROC Solid delivers an unfiltered conversation between hip-hop veteran Memphis Bleek and legendary music executive Chris Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records. The duo dives deep into the underpinnings of Roc-A-Fella, Murder Inc., and the wider hip-hop industry, reflecting on street life, business moves, creative innovation, and legacies. Packed with untold stories, practical game, and personal philosophies, this episode is a masterclass in how business, music, culture, and hustle have forever shaped hip-hop.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Origins and Evolution of Murder Inc.

• Not Just Music, But Business:
  Chris Gotti breaks down how Murder Inc. started not as a label but from Irv Gotti’s ambition to become the top producer, and Chris’s own business and street smarts.

  “I built the construction business that was funding Irv... started making money with Top Dog Productions.” — Chris Gotti (10:20)

• Scaling Up Production:
  Realizing the need for scale, Chris expanded their producer roster from a handful to dozens, leading to unprecedented output and the legendary Murder Inc. “crack house” studio.

  “We went from 5 to 15 to 25 to 50 in less than six months... all these producers I got.” — Chris Gotti (11:09)

• Street & Industry Mergers:
  The Gotti brothers’ survival instinct and willingness to battle both the streets and the industry (“the Alphabet Boys”—the Feds) was key to their resilience.

• Innovating the Business Model:
  Pioneered cost-saving and ownership techniques: renting studios to themselves, hiring their “hood” as car service drivers, controlling budgets—all later replicated by major labels.

  “I made something called Mink Rentals... We built our studio so we could rent our studio to ourselves...” — Chris Gotti (11:41)

Navigating the Legal Storms and Record Industry Backstabbing

• Beating the Feds:
  Few in hip-hop can claim to have defeated federal charges like the Gotti brothers. Chris credits legendary attorney Gerald Shargel.

  “They called him Superman in the courtroom, man.” — Chris Gotti (07:06)

• Industry Betrayals:
  The realization that Def Jam and Universal cooperated with authorities against Murder Inc., shifting industry support to their rivals—Aftermath and G-Unit.

  “They didn’t do anything but shift it from one side... and put it over the Aftermath G Unit... it was a lateral move.” — Chris Gotti (08:33)

Culture, Competition, and Family

• Roc-A-Fella, Ruff Ryders, Murder Inc.: A Culture of Competition:
  The era’s success was built as much on camaraderie as on friendly competition: sharing session notes, respecting release dates, and healthy rivalry.

  “There’s only 10 slots... it’s a hundred rappers in New York... we all fighting for the ten.” — Memphis Bleek (15:35)

• Jay-Z as a Domesticated Gangster:
  One of the most memorable riffs—Chris proposes writing a book “The Domestication of a Gangster” about Jay-Z’s transformation from street hustler to business mogul.

  “He’s a domesticated gangster... He got that because he honed his skills, he ground them from the street...” — Chris Gotti (26:00–26:13)

• Mentorship and OG Wisdom:
  Chris on playing the background, being the observer, and protecting his brother Irv and the crew—but never leading them down his own dark paths.

  “My job was to protect my brother and to protect everyone around.” — Chris Gotti (23:48)

Reinventing and Influencing the Sound

• R&B/Hip-Hop Hybrids:
  The innovation of merging rapping and singing—propelled by acts like Ja Rule and Ashanti—shifted the industry and is now an expectation for new artists.

  “I don’t even think artists get deals now if you don’t rap and sing right. Think about that.” — Memphis Bleek (36:28)

• Unsung Pioneer: DJ Irv:
  Early blends of R&B vocals and hip-hop beats on mixtapes, years before it became mainstream.

  “He was blending again hip hop beats with R and B acapellas.” — Chris Gotti (38:10)

Entrepreneurship Beyond Music: Film and Sports

• New Ventures: Film
  Chris lays out his move into filmmaking:

  • Ballin’, starring Lance Stephenson, with a soundtrack featuring the NBA star as well.
  • Spanish Fly, an all-Latin cast film shot in just eight days.

  “The only way to do these types of films is fast. You gotta turn them over.” — Chris Gotti (42:38)

  Distribution Game: Leveraging platforms like Tubi, but acknowledging challenges in fair compensation.

  “...still the best place for black content... but their CPM is super low.” — Chris Gotti (43:02)

• Clash Pro League (CPL): Changing Basketball's Infrastructure
  Chris details building a league to serve overlooked D1 and professional players, inspired by decades in street basketball management.

  “When I get New York set, I’m gonna take it in multiple cities, not teams. See, everyone thinks I’m gonna bring a team to Chicago—no, I’m bringing the league.” — Chris Gotti (72:00)

Real-Life Wisdom and Game for New Artists

• Consistency and Work Ethic:
  Lessons for up-and-coming creators: Hard work and consistency are still the only “cheat code.”

  “You cannot short the work.” — Chris Gotti (44:41)

• Ownership and Innovation:
  The power of building your own platforms, maintaining ownership, and preparing to shift with the industry—whether in music or film.

Hip-Hop and Modern Culture: Advice and Social Commentary

• On Today's Kids & Violence:
  Both men urge young rappers to skip the violence, focus on business, and appreciate “just being here.”

  “Just appreciate life, man... we’re only here for a short period of time...” — Memphis Bleek (33:43)

• On Hype, Authenticity, and Legacy:
  Discussing NBA Youngboy, Lil Durk, and the next generation, Chris expresses hope and respect for peaceful, successful new artists.

• The Hook is King:
  Chris shares the “hook first” philosophy (learned from Irv)—the idea that it's the hook your audience takes away, so focus on that before the verse.

  “So long as the hook is hot, just stay on top and get it done... on to the next record.” — Memphis Bleek (60:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Surviving the Feds:

  “It’s only two Gottis in the world that beat the Feds, man—the Gotti brothers and the real Gotti.”
  (Memphis Bleek, 05:57)

• On Label Betrayal:

  “They did us dirty. That was my machine. So how can I put out music?”
  (Chris Gotti, 08:33)

• On Jay-Z’s Evolution:

  “He’s a domesticated gangster. When they talk Jay and they talk about him today... I say, he got that because he honed his skills and ground them from the street.”
  (Chris Gotti, 26:00–26:13)

• On Competition in NYC:

  “It’s a hundred rappers in New York. And it’s only 10 slots... we all fighting for the 10.”
  (Memphis Bleek, 15:35)

• On Innovating the Music Model:

  “We circulated that money right back to us, man.”
  (Chris Gotti, 13:09)

• Advice to Artists:

  “You cannot short the work. And the process is... you can’t cheat the process.”
  (Chris Gotti, 44:41)

• On Consistency:

  “If you don't feed ‘em, they gonna go eat somewhere else.”
  (Chris Gotti, 46:23)

Important Segments by Timestamp

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:19 | Memphis Bleek’s tribute to Gotti—legacy and family | | 05:57 | The Gotti brothers vs. the Feds—standing tall, trial stories | | 08:00 | Behind-the-scenes of the industry shifting to G-Unit/Aftermath | | 09:39 | The rise and scaling of Murder Inc.’s crack house & studios | | 14:23 | Irv Gotti’s Guinness World Record production run | | 15:35 | Competition in NY, family, and sharing the stage | | 17:07 | Chris the observer, OG, and crew protector | | 26:00 | “Domestication of a Gangster”—Jay-Z’s evolution | | 33:55 | Advice to new generations—value life and health | | 36:02 | Murder Inc.’s influence on R&B/Hip-Hop fusions | | 42:00 | Transitioning into film: Ballin’, Spanish Fly | | 44:41 | Independence, hard work, and the business “cheat code” | | 60:29 | Studio philosophy: “the hook is king” | | 72:00 | Revolutionizing basketball with the CPL |

Tone and Style

The conversation is raw, candid, and brotherly with a mix of street wisdom, entrepreneurial hustle, and nostalgia. Both Memphis Bleek and Chris Gotti embrace their New York roots and maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect, energy, and humor.

Conclusion

This episode is a rare, insightful look at the forces that shaped Roc-A-Fella and Murder Inc., revealing the grit, resilience, and innovation required to survive and thrive in both the streets and the boardrooms. Chris Gotti’s journey from the “crack house” studio days to new film and sports ventures illustrates hip-hop's endless evolution. Listen for real talk, real lessons, and the stories you’ll never hear anywhere else.

For fans of hip-hop history, entrepreneurship, and raw conversation, this episode is a must-listen.