Legendary hip-hop producer and record executive Irv Gotti has passed away at the age of 54. The Murder Inc. Records founder died Wednesday morning (Feb. 5) in New York City following ongoing health complications.
Irv Gotti Cause of Death
While the exact cause of death has not been confirmed, sources say Gotti had been struggling with health issues in recent years. He suffered a stroke last year, which left him requiring the use of a cane. Reports indicate that he suffered another stroke this week, leading to bleeding in his brain. He was placed on life support in a hospital but was pronounced dead hours later.
Gotti had been open about his battle with diabetes, admitting that it had been “deteriorating” his body. He also noted his doctors had encouraged him to change his diet, which he was struggling to do.
A Legacy in Hip-Hop
I’mBorn Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., Gotti was a pivotal figure in hip-hop. Before launching Murder Inc., he worked as an A&R executive at Def Jam, where he helped bring DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule to the label. He played a key role in signing DMX and served as an executive producer on his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), a project that helped propel DMX to superstardom.
In 1998, Gotti co-founded Murder Inc. Records with his brother Chris Gotti under the Def Jam umbrella. The label became one of the most successful imprints of Universal Music, dominating the early 2000s with Ja Rule and Ashanti, who collectively sold millions of records. Murder Inc. was responsible for chart-topping hits like Always on Time, Foolish, and Mesmerize, defining the sound of that era.
Beyond hip-hop, Gotti expanded his influence, signing Vanessa Carlton and producing her 2007 album Heroes & Thieves. In later years, he shifted into film and television, creating the BET series Tales, which turned classic hip-hop songs into cinematic narratives.
Tributes from the Music Industry
Following news of his passing, Def Jam Recordings released a statement mourning his loss:
“Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives, and employees are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti. His contributions at Def Jam, both as an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers. 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.”
Survived by Family
Gotti is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny, and Jonathan Wilson; his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo; his sisters, Tina and Angie; and his brother Chris Lorenzo, with whom he co-founded Murder Inc.