Mega-producer, music executive, and co-founder of Murder Inc. Records. Irv Gotti has passed away at the age of 54 after suffering a stroke, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.
Gotti, born Domingo Lorenzo Jr., played a crucial role in shaping the sound of early 2000s hip-hop and R&B. Alongside his brother, Chris Gotti, he launched Murder Inc. in 1998 as an imprint under Def Jam, creating a dynasty that turned artists like Ja Rule and Ashanti into household names.
Ja Rule’s 1999 debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci, began Murder Inc.’s dominance, with the single Holla Holla peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the label’s golden era came in the early 2000s when Gotti’s signature blend of hip-hop and R&B took over the charts.
He was instrumental in discovering Ashanti as a teenager, who went on to break records with her self-titled debut album. In 2002 alone, she dominated the Hot 100 with three massive hits: Always on Time with Ja Rule, What’s Luv? with Fat Joe, and her own smash single Foolish, which held the No. 1 spot for ten weeks.
Gotti’s influence stretched beyond his own label. He played a crucial role in Jay-Z’s early career, forming a friendship with the Brooklyn rapper during a London tour and later helping him craft his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. His production and industry connections laid the groundwork for Jay-Z’s rise to superstardom.
Gotti shared three children—Angie Gotti, JJ Gotti, and Sonny Gotti—with his ex-wife, designer Debbie Lorenzo.
Rest in power, Irv!
