Today, BET announces new original unscripted documentary series “MURDER INC” W/T. The five-part television event will narrate the untold tale of the rise, sudden fall, and redemption of Murder Inc. Records; and the mastermind behind the New York City record label, Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo. Launched in 1999, following Irv’s remarkable success as a music executive at Def Jam, Murder Inc. Records played a vital role in launching the careers of some of the most influential voices in hip-hop, soul and R&B, including marquee artists Ja Rule, Ashanti, Lloyd, Charli Baltimore, Vita, Black Child, Caddillac Tah, and others. Each gripping episode will take viewers through the label’s beginnings to current day, featuring never-before-seen archival footage, a rich catalog of music chart-toppers and the power players that helped shape a musical era that would impact generations to come. “MURDER INC.” W/T is scheduled to premiere Summer 2022 on BET.

“Music is in our DNA. We thank our long-standing partner Irv Gotti, and the many talented artists at the iconic label for trusting our brand to tell their personal and inspiring stories,” said Tiffany Lea Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming. “We look forward to bringing viewers a compelling music documentary series that reveals how this label consequently changed the music industry forever.”

“My life and Murder Inc. has been filled with many highs and lows. 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,” said Irv Gotti, Founder, and CEO of Murder Inc. Records. “Also, I got to start my record label, Murder Inc. Records, with Ja Rule by my side. My life was filled with great lows, but I’m not ashamed of those lows. It all helped make me the person I am today. So, with this documentary series, I plan to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me GOD.”

“Pain is Love,” said Ja Rule. “We endured the pain so others could feel the love.”

“MURDER INC. W/T” is executive produced by Irv Gotti (“Tales”), Ja Rule, Darcell Lawrence, and Chris Costine for Visionary Ideas and Tiffany Lea Williams for BET. Michael J. Payton to serve as Director.

ABOUT BET:

BET, a subsidiary of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the leading provider of premium entertainment, music, news, digital and public affairs content for Black audiences worldwide. BET linear is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is one of the most well-known Black consumer brands worldwide, with multi-platform business extensions including BET Studios, an unprecedented studio venture that offers equity ownership for Black content creators; BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET Digital, including BET’s wide reaching social platforms and BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s events and experience business; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT VISIONARY IDEAS ENTERTAINMENT:

Visionary Ideas Entertainment is a film production, music, entertainment and management company. With operations in New York and Los Angeles, Visionary Ideas has a portfolio that encompasses television, motion pictures, media, multi-platinum recordings, music performances, marketing, brand partnerships, and consulting. A core component of operations is cultivating new talent and providing avenues for creative development and expression that empowers, entertains and inspires. Visionary Ideas brings a wide range of strategic talent management services that increase business opportunities for entertainers, leaders, and influencers. Through its various industry touchpoints, the mission of Visionary Ideas is to radically impact the world of film, music, management and entertainment.