Murder Inc. Records Co-Founder, Irv Gotti Dies At 54
Irv Gotti has died at 54 years old, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His cause of death has not yet been reported.
According to TMZ, sources close to Gotti’s family confirmed his death on Wednesday in New York City.
Def Jam Recordings issued a statement on social media Thursday, remembering Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., and sending well wishes to his loved ones. “Def Jam’s thoughts are with Irv’s family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work,” reads a caption under the post. Murder Inc., which Gotti co-founded in 1998, is a subsidiary of Def Jam.
The Murder Inc Records co-founder and record producer last September spoke with about his health, saying he was “getting older, that’s all.” At the time, Gotti was six months removed from having suffered a minor stroke.
Gotti launched Murder Inc. after working as an A&R at Def Jam, where he was instrumental in bringing DMX, Jay-Z and Ja Rule to the label. At Murder Inc., the record executive played a key role in Ja Rule and Ashanti’s careers, helping to craft multi-platinum hits like “Always On Time” and “Foolish.”
