Music Mogul Irv Gotti Passes Away at 53

Irv Gotti, the renowned record executive, music producer, and entrepreneur best known for founding Murder Inc. Records, has passed away, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of death is currently unknown, but it is noted that the music mogul suffered a stroke last year.

Gotti, whose real name was Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was instrumental in shaping hip-hop and R&B music during that era, collaborating with artists such as Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, all of whom achieved significant commercial success. His distinctive production style merged hip-hop beats with melodic hooks, influencing a wave of rap and R&B crossover hits that dominated the charts from 2001 to 2004. Notable hits include multi-platinum tracks with Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez, such as “Always On Time,” “I’m Real,” and “Ain’t It Funny,” as well as Ashanti’s “Foolish,” “Rain on Me,” and “Mesmerize.”

Before establishing Murder Inc. in New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as an A&R at Def Jam, where he played a pivotal role in bringing DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule to the label. Under the name DJ Irv, he produced “Can I Live” for Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The label later became known as The Inc., and Gotti co-produced Vanessa Carlton’s 2007 album, Heroes and Thieves, alongside Rick Rubin and Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind.

Gotti’s production expertise extended to projects involving Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Fat Joe, and Christina Milian. Additionally, he released several albums under his own name.