The hip-hop world has lost a true icon. Irv Gotti, the visionary behind Murder Inc. Records, has passed away at the age of 54. The cause of death has not been revealed, but the music mogul had battled strokes and diabetes-related issues in recent years.
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Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., was a powerhouse in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, shaping the sound of an era. He played a major role in the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, crafting some of the biggest hits in hip-hop and R&B. His signature production style—fusing rap with melodic hooks—dominated the airwaves with unforgettable songs like “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny” (with Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule), as well as Ashanti’s “Foolish” and “Rain on Me.”
Before launching Murder Inc. in 1998, Gotti was instrumental at Def Jam, helping bring Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule to the label. Under the alias DJ Irv, he produced “Can I Live” on Jay-Z’s classic Reasonable Doubt album. His influence stretched far beyond Murder Inc., as he worked with artists like Kanye West, Fat Joe, Memphis Bleek, and Christina Milian. Even in the rock world, he made an impact, co-producing Vanessa Carlton’s 2007 album Heroes and Thieves alongside Rick Rubin and Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind.
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Despite his success, Gotti’s career wasn’t without controversy. In the mid-2000s, Murder Inc. took a hit due to an FBI investigation into alleged ties with drug kingpin Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. Though he was acquitted, the ordeal tarnished the label’s reputation. Still, Gotti remained resilient, reinventing himself in television with BET’s Tales, an anthology series that blended hip-hop and storytelling.
Lyor Cohen, former Def Jam exec and now YouTube’s global head of music, paid tribute to Gotti, saying, “Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop. When we were on bended knee, he brought the heat and saved our asses.”
Tributes have poured in from across the industry, though not everyone is mourning with grace. 50 Cent, never one to pass up a chance to troll his longtime rival, posted a disrespectful Instagram photo of himself smoking next to a headstone that read “RIP,” adding, “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him LOL.”
Irv Gotti is survived by his children, Angie, Sonny, and Jonathan Wilson, as well as his mother, siblings, and his brother Chris Lorenzo, with whom he co-founded Murder Inc.
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Gotti changed the game. His legacy in hip-hop is cemented, and his impact will live on.
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