Originally, the Murderers were slated to be an East Coast hardcore hip-hop supergroup consisting of Ja Rule, Jay-Z, and DMX. Although the trio received a fair amount of publicity concerning its imminent collaboration, very few actual recording sessions materialized. Ja Rule and producer Irv Gotti subsequently turned the Murderers into a showcase for their stable of up-and-coming talent, recording enough material to complete an album. That album, Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers, was finally released in early 2000, heavily featuring Ja Rule, Tah Murdah, Black Child, and Vita, with brief appearances from Jay-Z, DMX, and Busta Rhymes. ~ Steve Huey