Irv Gotti, the visionary co-founder of Murder Inc. Records who played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and other hip-hop icons, has passed away at the age of 54 after suffering a stroke.
His death was confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, following reports that he had previously suffered a stroke and a brain bleed.
Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., Gotti was instrumental in the rise of Murder Inc. Records, which he co-founded in 1998 under Def Jam Recordings. As a producer, he worked with some of hip-hop’s biggest names, including Jay-Z, DMX, Kanye West, Fat Joe, and Eve, crafting numerous chart-topping hits.
Details surrounding his final moments remain unclear, but sources told AllHipHop that he was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning.
Gotti had openly discussed his long battle with diabetes, which he revealed in 2023 had significantly impacted his health.
“It’s rampant with Black people,” he shared on Drink Champs. “What it does is, it starts deteriorating your body… 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.”
In August, Gotti’s representative disclosed that he had suffered a “minor stroke” months prior, following leaked photos of him using a cane. “Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago,” the rep told TMZ, adding that he had been focusing on a healthier lifestyle and had made a full recovery.
A key figure in early 2000s hip-hop, Gotti’s production credits include classics like DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell is Hot (1998), Ja Rule’s Between Me and You, Ashanti’s Foolish, and Fat Joe’s What’s Luv?.
His contributions to music and culture remain undeniable, solidifying his place as one of hip-hop’s most influential producers.