Irv Gotti, the music label executive who was instrumental in the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, has passed away at the age of 54.
Gotti, who was a co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, died on Wednesday in New York City. The cause of death was however not revealed.
On Wednesday night, Def Jam, the parent record label of Murder Inc., released a statement stating that it was “deeply saddened” by Gotti’s death.
“His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder Inc, helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B,” the statement reads.
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Representatives of the Grammy winner had in August 2024 revealed that he suffered a “minor stroke” and was “making a full recovery”. The music mogul also battled diabetes-related issues.
Gotti, who was of Filipino and African-American descent, was born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. in the Hollis neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City.
He gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s and was instrumental in the music industry, working with artistes like Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, each of whom saw massive commercial success.
Before launching Murder Inc. in New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as an A&R at Def Jam, where he helped bring DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule to the label.
The first album released under Murder Inc. was Ja Rule’s debut album ‘Venni Vetti Vecci’ in June 1999.
He was credited on Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album, featuring as DJ Irv on the track ‘Can I Live’. He also has production credits on several Kanye West tracks.
Tributes have begun to pour in for the late music executive.
It’s a sad day for Hip Hop as we’ve lost one of its greatest visionaries according to The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ. 💔
As the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, Irv Gotti shaped an era—delivering timeless hits, iconic anthems, and launching legendary careers that left an… pic.twitter.com/srhYmOPBf2
— BET (@BET) February 6, 2025
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Gotti is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny and Jonathan Wilson; his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo; sisters Tina and Angie; and his brother Chris Lorenzo, with whom he co-founded Murder Inc.
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