The Breakfast Club: Interview with Chris Gotti

Air date: September 30, 2025 | Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God | Guest: Chris Gotti

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club features an in-depth interview with Chris Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. and brother to Irv Gotti. The conversation spans Chris Gotti’s pivotal role in the legendary record label, his relationship with Irv and industry heavyweights like Jay-Z, Ashanti, Fat Joe, and Diddy, the evolution of the hip-hop business, and his new ventures in sports and media. Chris is candid about family, loyalty, music business changes, conflicts, and his vision for the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origins & Legacy of Murder Inc.

• Founding History
  • Murder Inc. stemmed from Irv Gotti’s desire to become a top music producer, not initially to start a record label.
  • Chris managed business and helped build a production powerhouse, which led to Sony offering a record deal after Irv’s production success.
  • The name “Murder Inc.” came from a gangster documentary Irv watched.
  • Chris Gotti: "Irv didn't say, I'm going to start Murder Inc... He just wanted to be the biggest producer in the game." (03:14)
• Role Clarity
  • Chris handled much of the business and operations while Irv focused on production and creative.
  • Chris also played a key role in assembling the right talent and managing the day-to-day.

Early Artist Deals & Relationships

• Ja Rule’s Signing
  • Ja was initially signed to Def Jam, not Murder Inc.; Chris & Irv had to buy back his contract for several million.
  • Chris Gotti: “People don't know that. So we had to go basically back to Lyor and say, that's our artist. And then we had to pay for it to get him back to Murder.” (05:55–06:06)
• Ashanti’s Path to Success
  • Chris recognized Ashanti’s songwriting early and championed for her with Irv, eventually bringing her to Murder Inc. after Fat Joe’s co-sign.
  • Chris Gotti: "I had to force [Irv] to just say hi and lie to [Ashanti]... So he'd walk in, say, what's up? And right back in his office." (07:13)
  • They had to pay $5 million to secure Ashanti’s rights after her hit record "Foolish" blew up—even before she was officially signed.
  • On Ashanti’s lack of direct condolences after Irv’s passing:
    Chris Gotti: "For her not to call me after Irv's passing, she texts me that. That don't feel right... I did everything for them." (37:33)

Family & Business Balance

• Chris credits upbringing and loyalty for the unique dynamic between himself and Irv, having never had a serious falling out.
• Chris shares stories about managing Irv’s health, their father’s influence, and prioritizing family over ego:
  Chris Gotti: "I never had a disagreement with my brother... I always seen something in Irv from little. He was just different in a different way." (08:26)

Industry Changes: Then vs. Now

• Artist Development
  • Chris critiques current music industry models for failing to invest in or develop artists the way they did in the ‘90s/early 2000s.
  • Chris Gotti: "The biggest mistake of labels is not investing in artists. We have to find a way to invest in the artist. To expect the artist to walk in the door and be a star is like, that's not real." (19:16)
• Music Consumption
  • On the shift from the anticipation of album releases to oversaturation:
    Chris Gotti: "Today is a needle in a haystack... You could be the dopest artist and no one could even hear you." (17:26)

Iconic Hip-Hop Stories

• The Jay-Z, Nas, and Super Ugly Era
  • Chris retells the behind-the-scenes tension of Irv producing for both Jay-Z and contemplating signing Nas.
  • Irv's business-minded, sometimes tactless approach caused friction with Jay:
    Chris Gotti: "You can't tell your man you want to work with his enemy... Jay plays chess. He's not playing." (21:36)
  • Despite eventual reconciliation, the relationship wasn’t the same.
• Fat Joe, Ashanti, and Loyalty Issues
  • Chris details personal and professional rifts between Irv & Fat Joe, especially over Ashanti and public disputes, but notes eventual partial reconciliation.
  • Chris Gotti: "You can’t shout out, my brother’s a sucker, and then whisper, I’m sorry, that’s a sucker move." (33:28)
• Murder Inc. Trial & Legal Battles
  • Chris explains how he managed the company’s finances and endured the brunt of the legal fight, facing 24 federal charges but being acquitted.
  • Chris Gotti: "I did every motion hearing... That’s where you win and lose cases... Irv didn’t do the trial. I did the trial." (44:57)

Reflections on Loyalty, Loss, and Industry Relationships

• Loyalty to Family and Artists
  • Chris discusses the emotional and moral weight of protecting his brother and those in the Murder Inc. family, even during scandals or fallouts.
  • The pain and disappointment with Ashanti’s perceived distance after Irv’s death is discussed honestly.
• Industry Codes & Street Culture
  • Chris reflects on changes in hip-hop street codes, noting things are “lawless” now compared to the past—with less respect and more unpredictability.

Health, Holistic Living & Philanthropy

• Health Evolution
  • Chris talks about fasting, holistic health (inspired by managing poker champion Phil Ivey), and dispels myths about disease and food.
  • Chris Gotti: "The body God designed is perfect. The only thing impure is what you’re putting inside your body." (16:09)
• Philanthropy & Education
  • Collaboration with Ja Rule to educate people in holistic health, focusing on empowerment and self-care.

Ventures: Clash Pro League & Film

• Clash Pro League (Street Basketball)
  • Chris’s street basketball league in NY offers jobs for athletes overlooked by pro leagues, with ambitions to expand nationally.
  • Chris Gotti: “There are so many talented players... but can’t get a job. I want to start in New York, but I want to franchise leagues in every city.” (76:25)
  • Involving influencers, athletes, and celebrities as team owners, aiming for both grassroots and commercial success.
• Film Projects
  • Chris is now producing films, including "Ballin" (with Lance Stephenson) and "Spanish Fly," producing 7 movies for the upcoming year via Arc Films.
  • Chris Gotti: "We was number one five weeks in a row on Tubi... Next year, I’ll have at least seven movies out." (85:05–85:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I never had a disagreement with my brother... I always seen something in Irv from little. He was just different in a different way.” – Chris Gotti (08:26)
• “You can’t shout out, my brother’s a sucker, and then whisper, I’m sorry, that’s a sucker move.” – Chris Gotti on Fat Joe (33:28)
• "The biggest mistake of labels is not investing in artists. We have to find a way to invest in the artist." – Chris Gotti (19:16)
• “You could tell as a man, [Irv] loved that woman. He was heartbroken. But I said, how do you tell me you love this girl and you out with everybody else?” – Chris Gotti on Irv & Ashanti (33:28)
• “Families don’t/can’t do business together? I’m showing you how you have to do it as family. If you don’t do it this way, you will have problems.” – Chris Gotti (44:57)
• "[Jay-Z] used to sit in my office literally to wait, to talk to Irv. That’s how deep that was…” – Chris Gotti (32:26)
• “The body God designed is perfect. The only thing impure is what you’re putting inside your body.” – Chris Gotti (16:09)
• “There are so many talented players... but can’t get a job. I want to start in New York, but I want to franchise leagues in every city.” – Chris Gotti (76:25)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:33] Chris Gotti introduction & greetings
• [03:14] Origin story of Murder Inc.
• [05:43] Ja Rule’s contract and the real first artist on Murder Inc.
• [07:13] Ashanti’s rise and Chris’s influence in the signing process
• [08:19] Balancing family and business with Irv
• [10:05] Health struggles in the Gotti family
• [12:50] Sale of Murder Inc. catalog and legacy considerations
• [16:09] Chris on holistic health and fasting
• [17:26] The evolution and issues of today’s hip-hop industry
• [19:16] Music business: artist nurturing vs. exploitation
• [21:36] The Jay-Z, Nas, and Murder Inc. conflict
• [32:26] Jay-Z’s respect for Irv and their history
• [33:28] Fat Joe, Ashanti, and public fallouts
• [37:33] Ashanti’s lack of direct condolences after Irv’s passing
• [44:57] Murder Inc. trial details and Chris's role
• [52:00] Reflections on the funerals for Irv, and loyalty shown by peers
• [66:55] Changes in street codes and hip-hop industry risks
• [69:09] Diddy trial and reflections on legal double standards
• [73:14] Supreme Team TV/movie projects and BET fallout
• [76:25] Launch and concept behind Clash Pro League
• [85:05] Chris’s films: “Ballin,” “Spanish Fly,” and more new projects

Closing Thoughts

Chris Gotti’s interview is a genuine glimpse into the inner workings of hip-hop’s business through the lens of a family fiercely committed to loyalty, authenticity, and making an impact beyond music. Candid stories about Jay-Z, Ashanti, Irv, and others, paired with hard-earned business lessons and new entrepreneurial ventures, make this a must-listen for anyone interested in music, culture, and urban enterprise.