Renowned American music producer Irv Gotti, the mastermind behind hits for artists like DMX, Ja Rule, and Ashanti, has passed away at the age of 54.
Multiple sources close to his family confirmed that Gotti died on Wednesday in New York City. The exact cause of his death is still unclear.
Gotti, whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, had been battling health issues in recent years. He suffered a stroke last year, which left him using a cane to walk. He was also open about his struggles with diabetes, admitting that he had not been consistent with taking his insulin. Doctors had advised him to change his diet, but he found it challenging to follow their recommendations.
When he suffered the stroke, a representative revealed that diabetes played a role in the health crisis. However, it was also noted that Gotti had been making efforts to improve his diet afterward.
Irv Gotti was a legendary figure in the hip-hop industry. He produced Jay-Z’s iconic track “Can I Live” from the debut album Reasonable Doubt. During his time at Def Jam, he signed DMX and served as the executive producer for DMX’s first studio album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot.
Gotti later founded his own label, Murder Inc. Records, under the Def Jam umbrella. The label’s first release was Ja Rule’s debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci. He also signed Vanessa Carlton and produced her 2007 album Heroes & Thieves.
In recent years, Gotti made headlines for his public feud with former artist Ashanti. During a 2022 appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, he spoke about what he described as a “relationship” between them. Ashanti responded, stating that their connection was never as serious as he claimed and accused him of being bitter about no longer controlling her career.
The rise of Murder Inc. Records was documented in the 2022 BET series *The Murder Inc. Story*. Ashanti chose not to participate in the three-part documentary, which some believe added to the tension between them.
Fans and colleagues are mourning the loss of the influential producer, whose work shaped the sound of hip-hop and R&B in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
