Legendary Music Executive, Irv Gotti Passes Away In New York At 54

Irv Gotti, an American music executive who played a pivotal role in the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, has died at the age of 54.

Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, passed away on Wednesday in New York City. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

On Thursday, Def Jam, the parent record label of Murder Inc., issued a statement expressing that it was “deeply saddened” by Gotti’s passing.

“His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder Inc, helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B,” the statement reads.

In August 2024, representatives of the Grammy winner announced that he had suffered a “minor stroke” but was “making a full recovery.” The music mogul had also been battling diabetes-related health issues.

Gotti, who was of Filipino and African-American descent, was born as Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. in the Hollis neighbourhood of Queens, New York City.

He rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, playing a key role in the music industry and collaborating with artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, all of whom achieved tremendous commercial success.

Before founding Murder Inc. in New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as an A&R at Def Jam, where he played a key role in bringing DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule to the label.

The first album to be released by Murder Inc. was Ja Rule’s debut Venni Vetti Vecci, which hit the shelves in June 1999.

He was credited on Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album, appearing as DJ Irv on the track “Can I Live.” Additionally, he has production credits on several tracks by Kanye West.

Tributes have started to pour in for the late music executive.

Gotti is survived by his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo; his sisters, Tina and Angie; his brother, Chris Lorenzo, who co-founded Murder Inc.; and his three children, Angie, Sonny, and Jonathan Wilson.

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