Due to their failure to release the Ja Rule album, a dispute erupted between Gotti and Universal. The relationship had been tense ever since his 2005 legal issues. Irv Gotti was close to making a new deal with Atlantic Records, then, before reluctantly agreeing to another deal with Universal. However, this time it was with Universal Motown. The last deal was with Def Jam.
Towards the end of last year, Ja Rule broke his silence on what was going on with Murder Inc. He admitted that he only represents Murder Inc., as he was signed with the main Def Jam label. However, Irv Gotti was the only producer he has ever worked with. But, when Irv Gotti staged the deal with Universal Records, Rule decided to sign with Murder Inc. Now that the deal with Universal has lapsed, Ja Rule is going to focus on his own label, Mpire, while still representing Murder Inc.
Following a year's worth of rumors, Irv Gotti has finally landed an exclusive distribution deal with Atlantic Records. The terms of the deal have not been announced, but one thing that is for sure is that Irv Gotti has been working hard to rebuild what was once his. The status of Ashanti is unclear, but Gotti is looking for an established female star to place on his label. Aside from the need of an R&B singer, he is negotiating with the comeback-minded Bobby Brown. Past "On the Rise" artist, Newz has been selected as the future flagship artist of the label.
The first release under the new Murder Inc. Records will likely be Ja Rule's eighth studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci 2010.