The hip-hop community is mourning the death of Irv Gotti, the founder of Murder Inc. Records, who has passed on at age 54.
Some tributes have been pouring in, though the cause of death has not been confirmed. That notwithstanding, there had been previous reports that the record producer had suffered a stroke for the second time.
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Records indicate Gotti rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s and played a major role in hip-hop and R&B records at the time.
He is credited for works with artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, particularly the hit track Always On Time by Ja Rule featuring Ashanti. He is known to have worked with A&R at Def Jam Records and contributed to DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule joining the label.
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Gotti is also said to have worked under the nickname “DJ Irv” to produce Jay-Z’s single Can I Live on the 1996 compilation Reasonable Doubt.
Sources say Irv Gotti spoke about his battle with diabetes in early 2024 and how the illness was affecting his body. This was after he had reportedly suffered a “minor stroke” for six months.
A representative for Gotti said, at the time, that he had changed his diet and was eating healthier. “He’s been successful in making a full recovery. Irv is not in a rehab facility. He is at home with his family, enjoying life,” the associate was quoted.
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Def Jam, the label of which Murder Inc. Records was a subsidiary, paid tribute to Gotti, describing him as a trailblazer and “a force” in the industry.
An Instagram post read: “Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives, and employees are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti.
“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.
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“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work.”
Another outlet known as The Ruff Ryders also reacted to the death and acknowledged that Gotti signed the late DMX in 1997 and played a key role in the formation of the record label.
