MURDER WAS NO LONGER THE CASE: In the most high-profile name change in rap since Puff Daddy became P. Diddy, the hip-hop label Murder Inc. announced yesterday that they will drop the "Murder" from their name, and be known simply as "The Inc." The label, known just as much for general thuggishness as it is for producing such sonic vomit as Ja Rule, has become notorious lately for possible criminal activity, including drug and weapons charges.
Label chief Irv Gotti, however, will retain the name "Gotti," just as rapper C-Murder (who is not affiliated with The Inc) kept his handle after he was convicted a few months ago of, yes, murder.