Irv Gotti, the influential music producer, industry executive, and television producer, has passed away at the age of 54, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Born Irving Lorenzo, Gotti’s passing follows a health scare in early 2024, when he suffered what his representatives described as a “minor stroke.” At the time, he had made significant lifestyle changes and was reportedly on track for a full recovery.
A native of Hollis, Queens, Gotti co-founded Murder Inc. Records in the early 2000s, a label that became synonymous with rap and R&B hits from artists like Ja Rule and Ashanti. Murder Inc. sold over 30 million records worldwide, with hits like Ja Rule’s “Always On Time” (featuring Ashanti) and “Livin It Up” (featuring Case), as well as Ashanti’s “Foolish” and “Rock With U (Awww Baby).”
Gotti’s impact on the music industry began at Def Jam, where he worked in A&R and played a pivotal role in the label’s resurgence during the late 1990s. He was integral in securing deals for Jay-Z and the late DMX, producing tracks like “Can I Live” from Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt (1996) and serving as executive producer on DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998). DMX’s album sold over four million copies and established him as a rap superstar. Together, DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule were instrumental in revitalizing Def Jam and boosting its value by over $100 million in 1998.
This success led to Gotti founding Murder Inc. as a Def Jam subsidiary, allowing him to collaborate with stars like Jennifer Lopez on “I’m Real” and the “Ain’t It Funny” remix, as well as with Eve and Alicia Keys on “Gangsta Lovin.” Gotti won a Grammy Award in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B Album for his executive production of Ashanti’s debut album.
Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube and Google, expressed his grief, saying, “Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers. He was hip-hop, and when we were on bended knee, he brought the heat and saved our asses. Irv, you will be missed.”
In 2005, Irv and his brother Chris Lorenzo (aka Chris Gotti) were charged with money laundering and conspiracy by the FBI. The case claimed they had funneled drug money from alleged Queens drug lord Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff into Murder Inc. However, the brothers were acquitted of all charges later that year.
Following the trial, Gotti’s musical output slowed, and he transitioned into television. He starred in VH1’s Gotti’s Way from 2007 to 2009 and created Tales for BET in 2017, a series inspired by rap songs. He also executive produced The Murder Inc. Story, a 2022 docuseries about the label’s history.
However, the documentary sparked controversy when Gotti revealed that he had a romantic relationship with Ashanti while married, tarnishing his reputation with some fans. In 2022, Ashanti clarified that they were never officially in a relationship.
Gotti also faced legal issues when a Jane Doe sued him for sexual assault, alleging an abusive relationship between 2020 and 2022, though he denied the accusations.
Story by Obaapa Janee
