Irv Gotti dishes on Murder Inc. Records, Ashanti at 2022 VMAs: 'Wish you all the best'

NEWARK, N.J. — Irv Gotti believes everyone watching the new BET docuseries on the Murder Inc. label he co-founded either loves it or hates, although he thinks even the haters "love it too."

Gotti delves into the behind-the-scenes details of his record label in "The Murder Inc Story" (streaming now). But when talking about the reaction to the series, Gotti veers into "the Ashanti backlash."

Gotti, 52, was adamant on telling both his full story and that of the label he co-founded with his brother Chris in 1998. Their roster of artists included Ja Rule and Ashanti. Gotti was allegedly in an extramarital affair with the artist.

"They hire you to do a documentary on your life. Could you omit parts?" he asks on the red carpet at Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards.

The label CEO speaks about the relationship on the series, but it was an advance clip from his interview promoting the project on the "Drink Champs" podcast that got the "backlash" started. Appearing on the podcast alongside Ja Rule, Gotti told hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN how hurt he was when Ashanti began dating rapper Nelly, despite Gotti being married at the time. He and ex-wife Debbie Lorenzo divorced in 2013.

"Ashanti, I wish you all the best. All the success. Love," he tells USA TODAY. "But what do you want me to do?"

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The backlash continued when the full "Drink Champs" podcast episode was released. Gotti claimed their personal relationship helped Ashanti’s career and that he created her hit "Happy" after the two had sex.

According to Gotti, Ashanti turned down three requests from BET to participate in the docuseries.

"I thought people would love (the series), the fact that I’m giving them brutal honesty," he said. "And I would say, 67% loved it and the other percentage, it was on some 'Ashanti' and like I did something wrong."

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Fat Joe fell into the latter category. The "What’s Luv" rapper called Gotti a "genius" but said in a video posted to Instagram that he made himself "look crazy" with the way he talked about Ashanti on the podcast.

Gotti’s "genius" recently translated into a multi-million dollar sale of his share in Murder Inc. He gave up his 50% of the label’s masters but retained ownership of the company.

"It got me a check for $100 million and a line of credit for $200 million," Gotti said of the transaction. "Ownership of your material is important."

In a stroke of perfect red carpet timing, Gotti turned around soon after to say hello to Snoop Dogg, who earlier this year acquired the Death Row Records brand from a private equity fund.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Irv Gotti wishes Ashanti 'all the best,' talks Murder Inc. at MTV VMAs