Irv Gotti, Ja Rule and others in the industry describe Murder Inc heating up with a smash hit record, bad blood with 50 Cent and a high-profile collaboration with a New York music star.

Irv's focus on an emerging artist impacts the label and his crumbling marriage, his attempt to sign Nas causes strife within the rap world, and Murder Inc's rivalry with 50 Cent intensifies.

Ashanti's second album is a hit, and singer Lloyd makes a splash, but hip-hop culture is threatened when Irv and the label are accused of laundering money for drug kingpin Supreme.