NEW YORK — Irv Gotti, the vibrant and charismatic music executive who co-founded Murder Inc. Records, has passed away at the age of 54.
Late Wednesday, Def Jam Recordings, the parent company of Gotti’s illustrious label, confirmed his passing through a statement but did not disclose any details regarding the cause of death.
Gotti, whose birth name was Irving Lorenzo, launched his influential hip-hop and R&B label in the late 1990s alongside his brother. The label quickly rose to fame, largely due to the success of top artists like Ja Rule and Ashanti. Gotti’s collaborations extended to iconic figures in rap, such as Jay-Z, Nas, and DMX, solidifying his status in the industry.

Def Jam’s statement praised Gotti as a “creative genius” whose commitment to music profoundly impacted the culture, producing numerous hits that resonate with audiences globally.
Murder Inc. reached unprecedented heights in the early 2000s, resulting in some of the music industry’s most successful crossover hits. Notable tracks included “Always On Time,” and “Foolish” by Ashanti, along with “I’m Real” by Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule, and “What’s Luv” by Fat Joe with Ja Rule and Ashanti.
Gotti also produced “Can I Get A…” featuring Jay-Z, Amil, and Ja Rule, along with DMX’s “We Don’t Give A (expletive)” alongside Jadakiss and Sheek Louch. His contributions earned him a Grammy award in 2004 for Best R&B Song for Ashanti’s “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby).”

The label, inspired by Gotti’s viewing of a documentary about the historical Murder, Inc. mob organization, faced scrutiny in the past when it was investigated for alleged drug money laundering. This inquiry led to legal challenges against Gotti, who ultimately was acquitted.
Following the investigation and associated negative press, Gotti opted to drop “Murder” from the label’s name, rebranding it as The Inc. He remarked on the change, expressing frustration at how the word overshadowed their musical achievements.
Despite the name change, he retained the nickname given to him by Jay-Z, which was shared with the late Gambino crime family leader, John Gotti, stating, “I ain’t going to change it.”

Apart from his remarkable production capabilities, Gotti became known for his role in one of hip-hop’s most infamous feuds involving 50 Cent and Ja Rule, which ignited over 25 years ago. The ongoing conflict included diss tracks and even physical altercations, yet it remained unresolved.
In recent times, Gotti attracted scrutiny from fans after discussing a supposed romantic relationship with Ashanti, a claim that she has publicly denied.

Lyor Cohen, a former executive at Def Jam who currently leads global music efforts at YouTube and Google, expressed deep sorrow at Gotti’s passing, calling him one of the label’s most inventive contributors.
Cohen highlighted Gotti’s significant impact on the hip-hop community, recalling, “He was hip hop, and when we were on bended knee he brought the heat and saved our asses.”
He concluded with a tribute to Gotti’s familial roots in Queens and emphasized the honor of knowing him, stating, “Irv you will be missed.”