Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas-Haynes is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was first discovered as a teenager and signed to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2002. That same year, she was featured on Fat Joe's "What's Luv?" and Ja Rule's "Always on Time", both of which were two of the biggest hit songs of 2002. She became the first female artist to occupy the top two positions on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously with "Foolish" and "What's Luv?" at numbers one and two, respectively.
Concrete Rose is the fourth studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on December 14, 2004, by The Inc. Records and Def Jam Recordings. In addition to working with frequent collaborators Irv Gotti, Chink Santana, and 7 Aurelius, Ashanti also enlisted new collaborators Malcolm Flythe, Jimi Kendrix, and Demi-Doc, to assist. The album features guest appearances from rappers T.I., Ja Rule, and Lloyd.
Chapter II is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Ashanti. It was released by Murder Inc. and Island Def Jam on July 1, 2003 in the United States. Ashanti reteamed with Murder Inc. head Irv Gotti and producer Chink Santana to work on the album. Chapter II features a guest appearance by rapper Ja Rule, Chink Santana, and Gunnz. Critical reception towards the album was generally mixed, with critics commending the album's autobiographical lyrics, and its fun yet light nature, while other critics felt Chapter II lacked creativity and personality and relied too heavily on the formula of her debut album (2002).
Ashanti is the debut studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on April 2, 2002, by Murder Inc. and Def Jam Recordings. It was recorded in New York City and Los Angeles between 2001 and 2002, during the period of time where Ashanti was writing for other artists. The album features guest vocals from Gotti, Ja Rule, and the late the Notorious B.I.G. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including Irv Gotti, 7 Aurelius, Chink Santana, Jared Thomas and Reggie Wright.
"Mesmerize" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on December 16, 2002, as the second single from his fourth studio, album The Last Temptation (2002). Containing a sample from the 1974 song "Stop, Look, Listen " by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, the song was produced by Irv Gotti and features R&B artist Ashanti. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2003, making it Ashanti's and Ja Rule's fourth top-10 hit as a duet.
Lloyd Polite Jr. is an American R&B singer. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Decatur, Georgia, he began his musical career as a member of the preteen-boy band N-Toon, which was formed by Joyce Irby in 1996. The group disbanded in 2001, and Polite signed with record executive Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2003 to pursue a solo career. His 2004 debut single, "Southside" peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led his debut studio album of the same name (2004), which entered the Billboard 200 at number 11. His second album, Street Love (2007) debuted at number two on the chart and was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 singles "You" and "Get It Shawty".
The Last Temptation is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released by Murder Inc. and Def Jam on November 19, 2002.
"Foolish" is a song by American singer Ashanti. It served as her debut single, the first from her self-titled debut album (2002) and was released by Def Jam Recordings, AJM, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. It was written by Ashanti, Etterlene Jordan, Mark DeBarge and Irv Gotti, while production was overseen by Gotti. The song heavily samples DeBarge's "Stay with Me". Due to the inclusion of the sample, Mark DeBarge and Etterlene Jordan are also credited as songwriters. A promotional version of the single called "Unfoolish" features a verse from The Notorious B.I.G. from his song "F--king You Tonight".
"Always on Time" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule from his third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). Produced by Irv Gotti, it was written by Ja Rule, 7 Aurelius, and Gotti. Originally set to feature Brandy, it features guest vocals from singer-songwriter and labelmate Ashanti. The song was released as the album's second single on November 27, 2001, through Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings and Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.
Pain Is Love is the third studio album by American rapper Ja Rule, released on October 2, 2001 via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. Although, the album received a mixed reception from critics, Pain Is Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was supported by four singles: "Livin' It Up", "I'm Real ", "Always on Time" and "Down Ass Bitch". It was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 3,000,000 copies. Pain is Love received numerous awards and nominations including a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 44th Grammy Awards. The album's first two singles "Livin' It Up" featuring Case and "Always on Time" featuring Ashanti collected nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002 and 2003.
Venni Vetti Vecci is the debut studio album by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on June 1, 1999, by Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. It was the first album to be released on Murder Inc. Production was mostly handled by Irv Gotti, with additional work provided by Lil Rob, Ty Fyffe, Erick Sermon and Self Service. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, DMX, Case, Memphis Bleek, Black Child, Ronald Isley and Erick Sermon, among others. The album title alludes to the Latin phrase "veni, vidi, vici", meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered".
R.U.L.E. is the sixth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule; it was released on November 9, 2004, by The Inc. and Island Def Jam Music Group. The album debuted at number 7 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 165,000 units in its opening week. The album was certified Gold and sold over 658,000 copies in the United States. Singles from the album include "Wonderful" featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti; the top 20 song "New York" featuring Jadakiss and Fat Joe, and the song "Caught Up" featuring Lloyd.
Exodus is a 2005 greatest hits album by rapper Ja Rule. He had released an album every year since 1999, but in 2005, with no new album planned The Inc. released this greatest hits album featuring songs such as "Mesmerize" and "Wonderful".
"Baby" is the third single from American R&B singer Ashanti's self-titled debut album (2002). Written by Ashanti, Chink Santana, Irv Gotti, and 7 Aurelius, the song was released as the album's third and final single on September 9, 2002. "Baby" contains an interpolation of Scarface's "Mary Jane", which was also co-produced by 7 Aurelius, so Scarface and Mike Dean are credited as writers. A remix of the song features Scarface.
"Happy" is a song by American singer Ashanti from her self-titled debut album (2002). The track was written by Ashanti, Chink Santana, and Irv Gotti, with production overseen by the latter two, as well. The song contains a sample of Gap Band's "Outstanding" (1982), written by Raymond Calhoun. "Happy" was released as the album's second single on June 17, 2002, reaching #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Globally, the single reached the Top 10 in the Netherlands, while reaching the Top 20 in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
"Don't Let Them" is a song by American singer Ashanti. It was written by Ashanti along with its producers Irv Gotti and Demetrius "Demi-Doc" McGhee for her third studio album, Concrete Rose (2004). The song contains interpolations from "Could I Be Falling in Love" (1974) by American blues and soul singer Syl Johnson. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Willie Mitchell, Yvonne Mitchell, Earl Randle, and Lawrence Seymour are also credited as songwriters.
"Southside" was the lead single by American R&B singer Lloyd, featuring Ashanti, from his debut studio album of the same name (2004), released May 8, 2004 by The Inc. and Def Jam Records. The song was written by T. Hale, W. Morris, Tab and by producer Jimi Kendrix. It peaked at No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, and peaked at No. 24 on the mainstream Billboard Hot 100. A remix also featured rapper Scarface, along with singer-songwriter Ashanti. The remix was later released in December 2004 as the third and final single from the album.
Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. is the second compilation album by The Inc. It was released on July 2, 2002 through The Island Def Jam Music Group and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. Production was primarily handled by Irv Gotti, as well as Chink Santana, 7 Aurelius, DL and Buck 3000. It featured contributions from Murder Inc. roster, such as Caddillac Tah, Black Child, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore and Vita, and guest appearances from Jennifer Lopez, Eastwood and Crooked I.
Irv Gotti Presents... The Murderers is a compilation album by American record producer Irv Gotti and hip hop group the Murderers. Originally scheduled for a January 25, 2000 release, it was released on March 21, 2000, by Murder Inc. Records and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Quad Studios, at Battery Studios, at The Hit Factory, at Sound On Sound, at Right Track Studios, and at Electric Lady Studios in New York, and at Enterprise Studios, and at Westlake Audio in Los Angeles. Production was primarily handled by Irv Gotti, as well as Lil' Rob, Dat Nigga Reb, Mr. Fingaz, Damizza, DL, JB Money and Ty Fyffe. Beside Ja Rule, Black Child, Tah Murdah, Vita, O-1 and Chris Black, it features contributions by the rest of Murder Inc. roster, such as Ronnie Bumps, and Murder Inc., as well as guest appearances from Dave Bing, Shade Sheist, Busta Rhymes, Lil' Mo and Memphis Bleek.
"Down 4 U" is the lead single from Murder Inc. Records' compilation album Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc., released through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. The song features rapped verses from Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, and Vita while Ashanti provides the chorus and sung vocals. The song is a remix as well as its music video being the sequel of Ja Rule's 2002 single, "Down Ass Bitch".
