Producer and Murder Inc. Records co-founder Irv Gotti, who helped make early 2000s superstars out of Ja Rule, Ashanti and DMX, has died at 54 years old.
According to reports, the Grammy winner died on Wednesday (February 5) in New York City. Rumours claimed he had suffered another stroke and brain bleed. The full circumstances surrounding Gotti’s last moments have not been disclosed yet.
Gotti’s representatives had confirmed last August he had suffered a “minor stroke” in early 2024, saying at the time: “He’s been successful in making a full recovery.”
The famed New York artist had a history of health issues, including diabetes.
“Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was Hip-Hop,” Lyor Cohen, who worked with Gotti at Murder Inc. Records and currently YouTube’s global head of music, said in a statement.
“When we were on bended knee, he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight beautiful family from Queens and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv, you will be missed.”
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.
Alongside brother Chris, Gotti launched Murder Inc. in 1998 as an imprint of Def Jam, following his success in helping bring DMX to the label. He was also essential in developing the careers of Ja Rule and Ashanti.
He’s credited as a producer on several hits, including DMX’s first studio album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” (1998), Ja Rules’ “Between Me And You,” Ashanti’s “Foolish,” Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv,” and more.
