Rap Label Heads Cleared In Court

Rap label moguls Irving and Christopher Lorenzo have been cleared of laundering money for a New York drug lord.

The heads of the label formerly known as Murder Inc. had been accused of laundering up to $1m (£577,600) for convicted drug dealer Kenneth McGriff.

However, both were acquitted of all charges at a racketeering trial that was attended by some of the rap industry's biggest 'playas'.

The brothers - known professionally as Irv and Chris Gotti, had faced up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

Among those in court to support them were performers Jay Z, Ashanti and Ja Rule, all signed to their label, which has since been renamed The Inc Records.

Ja Rule had been particularly vocal about the case, labelling it "a war against hip hop".

During the case, the court heard that the brothers allegedly laundered McGriff's drug money through Murder Inc, with McGriff acting as the brothers' protector in return.

Defence lawyer Gerald Shargel dismissed the charges against his clients as an "attempt to prove guilt by association" which he deemed "absolutely pathetic".