In a new interview with Angie Martinez, Chris Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records and longtime music executive, sat down to reflect on his career, family, and his new Streetball venture Clash TV. With a relationship that spans decades, Gotti and Angie’s conversation was raw, insightful, and full of stories from hip-hop’s golden age. At 57, Gotti remains as authentic as ever, stating, “I never Google anyone. I take people for who they say they are.”
Throughout the conversation, Gotti emphasized his unwavering consistency over the years. “I’ve always been the same person,” he said, contrasting himself with his brother, Irv Gotti. While Irv’s rise to success came with inevitable changes, Chris shared, “We were basically identical, but the industry changed Irv. That comes with the territory of success.” For Chris, his mission has always been clear: building Murder Inc. Records for Ja Rule, his family, and staying true to himself. “I am my brother’s keeper in every sense of the word.” As they reflected on hip-hop’s transformation over the years, Chris and Angie reminisced about the early days, when every artist had to stop by Angie’s radio show to promote their projects. “Times are different now,” Chris said, suggesting that Angie should consider doing a documentary about hip-hop’s evolution and her pivotal role in it. Angie, in turn, spoke about managing egos and how she’s proud of maintaining her cool during career-defining moments. “Not losing it in that moment,” Angie shared, “is what I’m most proud of.”
Chris and Angie also ventured into a fun discussion about people who are “outliers,” those who’ve shaped culture in unexpected ways. Their list included names like Jay-Z, Phil Ivey (whom Angie almost beat in a game of spades), Irv Gotti, Pharrell, Mary J. Blige, and Kanye West. “I’m a student of people,” Chris shared, revealing how his ability to learn new trades—whether law, accounting, or artist management—came from simply observing others at work. One story that stood out was when Kevin Liles, a major player at Def Jam, ran into the Murder Inc. office excitedly telling them Z100 was playing a Ja Rule record. “He even built a whole pop team behind this moment,” Chris recalled. “I love these stories because people don’t know them.”
The conversation then took a serious turn as Chris spoke about the challenges they faced working with record labels. He revealed that Universal and Def Jam cooperated with the government during Murder Inc.’s federal case, a betrayal that still stings. “I would do a book, but I would offend some people,” Chris admitted, adding that despite being offered six-figure deals, he turned them down.Speaking on the Murder Inc. documentary that recently aired, Chris expressed some disappointment. “As much as I liked it, there’s so much missing,” he said. What stung the most was that he wasn’t consulted for the project. For someone so deeply involved in the label’s success, it was a missed opportunity to tell the full story.
Chris Gotti’s latest passion project, ClashTV, is a venture aimed at creating opportunities for streetball players to make money and find their place in the game. “I’m giving money to all the players in streetball,” he explained, describing it as a pro league for those who didn’t make it to the NBA. “There’s only 450 jobs in the NBA. The players that don’t make it can be part of a league.” He proudly stated, “This is hood business that I’m turning into good business, building it from scratch.” Clash TV, which is gaining momentum, is not just a project for Gotti—it’s a vision to elevate streetball and provide a platform for untapped talent. “Hit up Clash.tv for more info on this pro league,” Gotti urged, determined to change the game for streetball players in New York and beyond.
From helping build Murder Inc. to launching a professional streetball league, Chris Gotti remains a force in the business world, driven by passion and loyalty. His conversation with Angie Martinez was more than just a reflection on the past—it was a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and vision for the future. As Chris continues to carve out new lanes in business and culture, one thing is clear: he’s still the same Chris Gotti, taking people as they are and staying true to who he’s always been.
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