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Irv Gotti — the famed record executive who produced hits by artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Jennifer Lopez — has passed away.
He was just 54 years old.
Word of Gotti’s death comes to us courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, who confirmed the news Wednesday night.
Irv Gotti’s Cause of Death
Preliminary reports have been light on detail, and the cause of Gotti’s death is unknown at this time.
However, THR notes that the Murder Inc. founder suffered a stroke last year. Updates on his condition were few and far between in the months that followed.
Shortly after news of Gotti’s passing went public, moguls and artists from across the hip hop landscape raced to pay tribute to this fallen legend.
“Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop,” said former Def Jam exec and current YouTube music czar Lyor Cohen (via THR).
“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.”
An Epic Career
After getting his start at DefJam — where he produced such late-’90s hits as Jay Z‘s “Can I Live” — Gotti left to started his own subsidiary label with the help of company founder Russell Simmons.
Murder Inc. — later known as simply The Inc. — was instrumental in defining the hip hop scene of the early 2000s.
Gotti’s signature sound — melodic hooks paired with street-hardened rap verses — resulted in a slew of hits for the label and its roster of artists.
Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez duets — including “Always On Time,” “I’m Realm” and “Ain’t It Funny” — and a succession of successful Ashanti singles (“Foolish,” “Rain on Me,” and “Mesmerize) — helped cement Gotti’s place as one of hip hop’s premier producers.
According to Irv’s brother, Chris Gotti, The Inc. label has sold over 30 million units and grossed more than $500 million.
In 2023, during an appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, Gotti discussed his health issues, including his battle with diabetes.
In 2023, he discussed his battle with the decease.
“It’s rampant with Black people,” he said at the time (via The New York Post). “What it does is, it starts deteriorating your body. No, [it’s not under control]. I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes forever; it’s hereditary. When my [blood sugar] gets too high, shot [of insulin].
“It’s reversible but you gotta change the way you eat, all that. But you know what’s f–ked up with diabetes? So anything that you’re gonna like or tastes good, horrible for you. Now what’s some nasty s–t? Broccoli… you supposed to eat some leaves or s–t like that.”
Irv Gotti is survived by his three children.
Our thoughts go out to Gotti’s loved ones during this enormously difficult time.
