Series from 2007
Irv Gotti was at the top of the Hip-Hop music business in 2002. Then, he was accused of ties to drug dealers, he fought the charges for three years — …
Irv Gotti, platinum selling record producer, is struggling to bring back his label, Murder Inc, from near ruin by finding a hit with his #1 artist Ja Rule. At the same time, he is trying to talk his family, wife Deb (who he is separated from) and their 3 kids, to move to a bigger house. Deb doesn’t want to move because she does not trust whether Irv will continue to pay the mortgage or even worse, leave them for another woman…
As the head of a record label, Irv will do everything to promote his artist Lloyd - from album cover shoots to 106th & Park performances. Being so busy, he is unable to talk to his daughter Angie, who recently found out he is not her real father. Will Irv make it home to talk with her or will the demands of the business keep him from his family duties?
Murder Inc, having dropped Lloyd's album this week, is tracking the numbers closely as they are neck and neck to take the number one position in album sales. Back in New Ro, Irv, Deb and the kids go to Sonny's big football game. He wants them to learn to live their life much in the same way he is dealing with his artist Lloyd's album release - always try your best, always go for #1, if you don't make it at least you gave it your best.
Irv ventures out of his comfort zone as a record label head by signing new artists Flashy and pop star Vanessa Carlton. Meanwhile, Deb ventures out of her comfort zone as well to see what life without Irv (meeting new men!) could be like. But sometimes big risks do not pay big rewards…
The perks of working in the music business distract Irv as he goes clubbing and hitting on women instead of directing his efforts into finding a single for Ja. These same perks are what destroyed his relationships with his wife Deb. Meanwhile, Deb discusses her relationship with her girlfriends, which leads her to confront Irv on their current situation. She thinks relationships take work and compromise, Irv just doesn't think they work at all - especially for someone working in the music industry.
Irv, needing a hit for Ja, decides to take matters into his own hands and he and Ja hit the studio to make a new hit. Meanwhile Deb finally realizes their relationship is never going to return to what it once was. While Irv is off working on the single with Ja, Deb takes matters into her own hands too and talks to her son that evening about her and Irv getting a divorce.