Irv Gotti, an American record executive and music producer who worked with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ja Rule, Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti, has died at the age of 54.
His cause of death – confirmed by Hollywood Reporter – is unknown, although Gotti suffered a stroke last year and had battled diabetes-related issues for some time.
Gotti is best known for founding Murder Inc. Records in New York in 1988 with his brother Chris Gotti, producing some huge hits over the years including Jay-Z’s Can I Live from the rapper’s 1996 Debut LP Reasonable Doubt.
‘Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop,’ said Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube, who was chief executive at the label for 20 years until 2004.
‘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 – real name Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. – rose to prominence in the late 90s and early 00s, and became influential in hip-hop and R&B genres.
Many of the artists he worked with – including Ja Rule, DMX and Ashanti – found huge success with the help of his signature style, blending catchy melodies with traditional hip-hop beats.
His hits from the time include Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule’s 2002 collaboration Ain’t It Funny, as well as Ashanti and Ja Rule’s Always on Time, and the former’s solo work Foolish and Rain on Me.
Before founding Murder Inc, which was an imprint of Def Jam Records,Gotti worked for the latter, and was instrumental in getting Jay-Z and DMX to sign with the label.
Working with the two rappers made a name for Gotti in the industry, allowing him to branch out on his own into Murder Inc, which was renamed the more palatable The Inc in 2007.
Vanessa Carlton signed with the label around this time and Gotti co-produced her Heroes and Thieves album. His other producing credits include Memphis Bleek, Fat Joe and Christina Milian.
It was around this time that the label’s profits began to dwindle, with their releases underperforming compared to previous years.
While it shrank, Gotti continued to produce for a number of artists – including Kanye West – and worked on smaller hip-hop albums released under his own name.
After he and his brother Chris were charged for money laundering in 2005 – for which they were later acquitted – Gotti stepped back from the music industry, instead focusing on reality TV.
He developed the series Takes for BET Gotti in 2017 and led Gotti’s Way from 2007 for two years.
In 2024, Gotti was sued by an anonymous woman, who claimed he had sexually assaulted and abused her over the course of a two-year relationship from 2020 to 2022. At the time he ‘categorically denied’ the accusations.
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.
The music world has taken to social media to pay tribute, with Ye taking to Instagram with the news of his death, and commenting with a dove emoji.
Fat Joe wrote: ‘What a Genius, God bless you irv ty for all you’ve done for Hip Hop. You changed my life and i will always love you RIP.’
Def Jam Records posted that they are ‘deeply saddened’ at the loss.
‘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,’ they continued.
‘His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work.’
Irv Gotti, US music producer behind huge 00s hits, dies aged 54