In this episode of Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast, Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo takes listeners on a journey through his influential career. He shares the origins of Murder Inc., from selling beats through Top Dog Productions to the challenges of building a label, and recalls unforgettable moments, working with Michael Jackson, near-historic collaborations with Nas, a potential supergroup of Ja Rule, DMX, and Jay-Z, and Irv’s unwavering belief in DMX. Chris also breaks down creating the signature Murder Inc. sound, surviving legal battles, and launching Add Ventures Music Group to empower independent artists. He shares about expanding into film with Arc Films and building the Clash Pro League. Chris highlights how his partnership with Irv, commitment to excellence, and the power of team drive his evolution across music, film, and sports.
About Today’s Guest
Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo is a visionary entrepreneur and architect of opportunities whose career has been defined by transforming raw talent into global success. Known for co-founding Murder Inc. Records and helping to revolutionize hip-hop, Gotti now channels that same disruptive spirit into sports as the founder of the Clash Pro League, a professional basketball ecosystem where urban culture meets real opportunity. Driven by the belief that greatness isn’t limited to traditional pipelines, he has built the CPL to spotlight electrifying, undiscovered talent from concrete courts around the world and provide the exposure, resources, and infrastructure needed to elevate them into professional athletes and cultural icons.
Key Points from this Episode:
0:00 Welcome back to Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast with today’s guest, Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo
1:20 The impact, quality, and consumption of music today vs. the early 2000s
4:08 Gatekeeping in the music industry and the rise of AI in music and entertainment
13:32 How selling beats through Top Dog Productions turned into a record label, Murder Inc., and the challenges in building Murder Inc.
19:09 Working with Michael Jackson
22:20 How Chris’s relationship to Irv serves as motivation for athletes and entertainers, the mentality of being excellent at one thing vs. everything, and the power of team
30:07 Moments in music that almost happened, a deal with Nas, a rap supergroup with Ja Rule, DMX, and Jay-Z
39:15 DMX’s rise in the music industry, Irv “Gotti” risking his career for DMX
43:38 On Ja Rule and creating the Murder Inc. sound
50:36 Legal problems and post-trial realities for Murder Inc.
55:16 Creating Add Ventures Music Group as a platform for independent artists
1:03:16 Independence vs. major label deals
1:06:52 Arc Films and the progression from music to film professionally
1:11:51 Clash Pro League and raising money for the league
Mentioned on the Show
Murder Inc. Records: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_Inc._Records
Connect with Chris Gotti Lorenzo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgotti187/
About Add Ventures Music: https://addventuresmusic.com/
Watch Ballin on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/100040839/ballin
Watch The Supreme Truth: https://www.princemillernyc.com/
Listen to Ballin (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): https://open.spotify.com/album/5Gtw83LRD19B7udKY4HXQR?si=B6GReaXfQTq0OiDHNr8org
Clash Pro League: https://clsh.tv/cpl
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