Music industry mogul Irv Gotti, who launched the careers of Ja Rule and Ashanti, has died at the age of 54. According to sources, he had suffered a series of strokes in recent months, but a cause of death has not been confirmed.
Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., was a mastermind executive and record producer who shaped the sound of mainstream music in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He founded Murder Inc. label with his brother Chris Gotti, which dominated radio and charts by bridging the divide between pop and rap.
Throughout his career, Gotti produced numerous classic records, including Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” and Ja Rule’s “Always on Time” featuring Ashanti. He also got his start as a DJ and producer with early credits on Jay-Z’s “Can I Get A…” and Foxy Brown’s “Hot Spot.”
Gotti served as executive producer on DMX’s debut album “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” and the soundtrack for the 1998 film “Belly.” He later co-founded Murder Inc. in 1998, which released Ja Rule’s debut album “Venni Vetti Vecci,” a massive smash that propelled both Gotti and Ja Rule to fame.
However, after federal agents raided his offices in 2003 on suspicion of drug money laundering, the label faced a reputational hit. Gotti rebranded The Inc. in 2006 but struggled with artists leaving the imprint. He later revived Murder Inc. in a partnership with 300 Entertainment in 2017.
In recent years, Gotti suffered from diabetes and had a series of minor strokes related to it. Despite his health struggles, he continued to work in the music industry, signing a $300 million deal with brand management company Iconoclast in 2022.
Gotti’s death has been met with tributes from the music industry and fans alike. His children wrote on social media that their father was an “incredible man” who transformed the hip-hop industry and inspired many through his passion for music and dedication to his craft.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/music/news/irv-gotti-dead-ja-rule-ashanti-producer-music-executive-murder-inc-1236297322