Music producer and mogul Irv Gotti, who helped propel Ashanti and Ja Rule to prominence and collaborated with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kanye West, has died. He was 54.
A cause of death has not yet been confirmed for the Queens-born co-founder of Def Jam imprint Murder Inc. Records, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., in recent years had health issues linked to his diabetes, including multiple strokes. Last year, he remarked that diabetes “starts deteriorating your body.”
Def Jam on Wednesday said it was “deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti,” who “helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B.”
“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,” continued the record label. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work.”
In 1998, the DJ-turned-producer co-founded Murder Inc. with brother Chris Gotti. That year, he worked on Jay-Z’s “Can I Get A…” feat. Amil and Ja Rule, and executive produced DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” as well as the “Belly” soundtrack.
The following year, Gotti lent his name to hits like Lopez and Ja Rule’s “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” as well as the latter’s debut album, “Venni Vetti Vecci.” Later, he’d also work on Ja Rule’s “Always on Time” feat. Ashanti, who Gotti signed in 2001.
Murder Inc., which was later renamed as The Inc., was ousted from Def Jam during a money-laundering probe in the 2000s, for which Gotti and his brother were charged and acquitted in late 2005.
Though not welcome back at Def Jam, The Inc. moved to Universal Motown the following year and signed Vanessa Carlton, whose 2007 “Heroes and Thieves” album was co-produced by Gotti.
In 2013, Gotti retooled the outfit once again, this time as Visionary, before bringing back Murder Inc. in 2013.
Gotti is also known for creating BET’s hip-hop centric “Tales” and producing several songs by West (now known as “Ye”) and working with Fat Joe and Christina Milian.
Gotti is survived by his three children, his mother, two sisters, as well as his brother and Murder Inc. co-founder, Chris.