Irv Gotti, the Grammy-winning producer and music executive behind an era-defining run in hip-hop and R&B music, died on Wednesday at age 54. A cause of death has yet to be released. According to Def Jam Recordings label where he served as an exec before co-founding Murder Inc. Records-death was confirmed in a statement later Wednesday. Initially, the death was reported earlier by multiple sources, including The Hollywood Reporter, People, and TMZ, but has not disclosed an official cause yet.
A Hip-Hop And R&B Legend
Born Irving Lorenzo, Gotti played an instrumental role in the careers of some of the biggest names in music. At Def Jam, he was integral to signing DMX and would later go on to found Murder Inc. Records in 1998 with his brother Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo. It wasn’t long before the label was a full-on powerhouse, releasing the debuts from both Ja Rule and Ashanti.
Under Gotti’s leadership, Murder Inc. produced multiple chart-topping albums, including Ja Rule’s Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), Rule 3:36 (2000), and Pain Is Love (2001), all of which went platinum. In 2002, Ashanti’s self-titled debut album, featuring hits like Foolish and Baby, earned Gotti a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Outside of his work with Murder Inc., Gotti made beats for Jay-Z, among others, including the rapper’s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt’s second single, Can I Live? Other artists he has worked with include Fat Joe, Jennifer Lopez, and Vanessa Carlton.
A Multi-Million Dollar Legacy
In 2022, Gotti sold his 50% ownership stake in Murder Inc. for $300 million, retaining the rights to his masters. At the time of the deal, he said, “I gave them my past, but I know I’m about to produce a great soundtrack for every movie that comes out. I’m about to break new artists, and this time I own 100 percent.”
Health Issues and Final Days
Gotti had been very vocal about his lifelong battle with diabetes. In 2023, he told the Drink Champs podcast that the condition was taking a toll on his health, describing how the disease was “deteriorating” his body. However, he didn’t actually cease working on music; he merely continued building his new projects.
Mourning within Music
Following the news of his passing, tributes poured in from across the music world. Ja Rule shared a broken heart emoji on social media, while Def Jam released a statement praising Gotti’s contributions to hip-hop.
“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,” the statement read.
Undoubtedly, to this date, Gotti has left his touch of glamour within hip-hop and R&B. That would possibly continue its legacy within the musical industry for a time to come in succession.
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