Irv Gotti, the influential music producer behind some of the biggest hits of the late 90s and early 2000s, has sadly passed away at the age of 54.
Irv Gotti, who is best known for founding the iconic record label Murder Inc., developed a signature blend of hip-hop beats and smooth R&B melodies that helped define the sound of the era.
Gotti’s career took off with his multi-platinum work on collaborations like Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule’s “Ain’t It Funny” and “I’m Real,” Ashanti’s “Foolish” and “Always on Time,” and Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?”. His unique style and approach made a lasting impact on the music industry, and his work on chart-topping tracks cemented his legacy.
Born Irving Lorenzo in 1971 in Hollis, Queens, Gotti began his career as a producer under the name DJ Irv. He rose to prominence in the mid-90s after contributing to Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt. The rapper, who would later refer to him as the “don of hip-hop,” gave him the moniker Irv Gotti, inspired by the infamous mafia boss John Gotti.
Gotti’s big break came when he signed DMX to Def Jam, launching the rapper’s debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, which went on to sell over 4 million copies in the U.S. and was credited with saving Def Jam’s reputation. Gotti’s success continued when he founded Murder Inc., where he and his brother Chris worked to create a new wave of hip-hop and R&B music.
Murder Inc’s first major success came from rapper Ja Rule, whose hits like “Always on Time” and “Livin’ It Up” dominated the charts. Gotti also discovered Ashanti, who enjoyed massive success both as a solo artist and in collaborations with Ja Rule, further establishing Murder Inc as a powerhouse in the music industry.
In addition to his work with Ashanti, Gotti helped Jennifer Lopez transition into the urban music scene, producing remixes of “I’m Real” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” that gave her pop hits a more R&B feel. Throughout his career, Gotti was credited as a producer on 28 U.S. chart hits, working with artists like Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, and Kanye West.
Despite his immense success, Gotti’s career was marred by legal troubles. In the mid-2000s, the FBI raided Murder Inc’s offices as part of an investigation into alleged connections with drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.
Though Gotti and his brother were charged with money laundering, they were eventually acquitted. After the controversy, he rebranded Murder Inc. as The Inc., but the label never regained the same prominence.
In 2023, Gotti faced a lawsuit for sexual assault and rape, which he strongly denied through his lawyer. He continued to produce music, but the legal challenges added to the complexities of his life.
Irv Gotti is survived by his three children, his mother, sisters, and brother Chris Lorenzo, who co-founded Murder Inc. with him. The music community has mourned the loss of a pioneer who shaped the sound of hip-hop and R&B for an entire generation.
Lyor Cohen, former CEO of Def Jam, described Gotti as “one of its most creative soldiers” and expressed his admiration for the music mogul’s tight-knit family and lasting influence on the industry. “Irv, you will be missed,” Cohen said in a heartfelt tribute.
While the exact cause of death has not been confirmed, it is known that Gotti had battled diabetes-related health issues and had suffered a minor stroke in early 2024. Despite these health challenges, he had made significant strides in his recovery before his untimely death.
