Irv Gotti, widely recognized as the founder of the record label Murder Inc., was instrumental in shaping the musical landscape of the late 1990s and early 2000s with his unique fusion of hip-hop rhythms and smooth R&B melodies.
As a prolific writer and producer, he was behind several multi-platinum hits, including the popular duets “Ain’t It Funny” and “I’m Real” featuring J-Lo and Ja Rule, as well as Ashanti’s “Foolish” and “Always on Time,” and Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?”. In a 2002 interview with the Guardian, he remarked, “People get confused because it sells like pop music. But we make black music first and foremost, and all our records is ‘hood first.'”
While the cause of his death has yet to be disclosed, it is known that the music executive faced complications related to diabetes and experienced what was termed a “minor stroke” in early 2024. At that time, Gotti’s team reported that he had made significant dietary changes and was “successful in making a full recovery.”
Born Irving Lorenzo in 1971 in Hollis, Queens, Gotti’s career took off as a producer for New York rapper Mic Geronimo, where he adopted the stage name DJ Irv. His breakthrough moment came in 1996 when he worked on Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.” Jay-Z dubbed him the “don of hip-hop,” rebranding him as Irv Gotti in homage to the infamous mafia figure John Gotti.
Gotti’s next significant step was signing the gravelly-voiced rapper DMX to the iconic Def Jam Records, which was struggling to compete with Sean Combs’ glitzy Bad Boy Inc. label. DMX’s raw and authentic style provided a stark contrast to Combs’ polished approach, resonating deeply with the streets.
Under Gotti’s executive production, DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” achieved remarkable success, selling four million copies in the United States and producing the hip-hop anthem “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” This success was pivotal in restoring Def Jam’s standing in the industry. Lyor Cohen, who served as the label’s CEO from 1998 to 2004 and is currently YouTube’s head of music, stated, “When we were on bended knee, [Irv] brought the heat and saved our asses.”
Cohen recognized Gotti’s achievements by granting him his own label, which he managed alongside his brother Chris. They named it Murder Inc after viewing a documentary about the notorious 20th-century New York organized crime group of the same name, believing they could produce hit records akin to how the syndicate orchestrated murders.
Their inaugural signing was Ja Rule, who achieved significant commercial success with tracks such as Holla Holla, Livin’ It Up, Always On Time, and the UK number one hit Wonderful.
Gotti also discovered Ashanti as a teenager and collaborated with her on projects alongside his rap artists, adding a melodic touch to their music. As a solo artist, Ashanti enjoyed a series of top 10 hits in the early 2000s, including Foolish, Rock Wit U, and Only U. Gotti received a Grammy for co-producing Ashanti’s self-titled debut album in 2002, which was awarded Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Additionally, Murder Inc played a pivotal role in enhancing Jennifer Lopez’s music career, with popular remixes of I’m Real and Love Don’t Cost A Thing that infused her pop hits with an urban flair.
In total, Gotti was credited as a producer on 28 US chart hits, collaborating with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, and Kanye West.
His career encountered difficulties in the mid-2000s following an FBI raid on Murder Inc’s offices, which was part of an investigation into purported connections with drug lord Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. Gotti and his brother faced money laundering charges but were ultimately acquitted of all allegations.
The situation also contributed to a protracted rivalry between Gotti and rapper 50 Cent. Federal investigators, during their search, claimed that McGriff and Murder Inc employees had conspired to kill the rapper in retaliation for the 2000 track “Ghetto Qu’ran,” which exposed McGriff’s criminal history.
Earlier, one of 50 Cent’s associates reportedly robbed Ja Rule in New York, igniting a series of diss tracks and confrontations between the two, which escalated into a brawl at a recording studio where 50 Cent was stabbed.
Murder Inc artist Black Child publicly took responsibility for the attack, asserting it was an act of self-defense. Although 50 Cent later minimized the incident’s impact, he continued to make disparaging remarks about Gotti and Murder Inc throughout his career.
His career encountered a significant obstacle in the mid-2000s when the FBI conducted a raid on Murder Inc’s offices as part of an investigation into purported connections with drug lord Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. Gotti and his brother faced money laundering charges but were ultimately acquitted of all allegations.
The tensions with 50 Cent were exacerbated by these accusations, contributing to a long-standing rivalry between Gotti and the rapper. Federal investigators claimed that McGriff and Murder Inc employees had conspired to kill 50 Cent in retaliation for the 2000 track “Ghetto Qu’ran,” which exposed McGriff’s criminal history. This feud intensified after one of 50 Cent’s associates reportedly robbed Ja Rule in New York, leading to a series of diss tracks and confrontations, including a violent incident in a recording studio where 50 Cent was stabbed. Black Child, a rapper from Murder Inc, publicly took responsibility for the attack, asserting it was an act of self-defense. Although 50 Cent later minimized the incident’s impact, he continued to target Gotti and Murder Inc with jabs throughout his career.
Following these controversies, Gotti rebranded Murder Inc as The Inc. He signed singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton and continued to release albums featuring Ashanti, though the label struggled to regain its previous success. In July, Gotti faced a lawsuit for sexual assault and rape from an anonymous plaintiff, who claimed to have been in a relationship with him from 2020 to 2022. Gotti, through his attorney, firmly denied the allegations, stating they “represent an affront to women who have truly suffered abuse.” He is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny, and Jonathan Wilson; his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo; sisters Tina and Angie; and his brother Chris Lorenzo, with whom he co-founded Murder Inc. Lyor Cohen remarked, “Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop. He comes from a very tight, beautiful family from Queens, and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him.”
