Irv Gotti, Murder Inc founder and hip-hop icon, dead at 54
Irv Gotti passed away on February 5th in New York City at the age of 54. The producer and record executive founded Murder Inc. Records and played a key role in the careers of DMX, Ja Rule, and Ashanti.
His family confirmed the news to the media but didn’t reveal his cause of death, although he reportedly suffered another stroke this week. Gotti is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny and Jonathan Wilson; his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo; sisters, Tina and Angie; and brother, Chris Lorenzo.
Gotti worked at Def Jam in the 1990s, executive producing DMX’s debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, and helping Jay-Z achieve success. He then launched Murder Inc. through the label, catapulting Ja Rule and Ashanti to stardom.
“Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti,” a statement read. “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.”
They continued, “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.”
Lyor Cohen, who held chief executive roles at the label between 1988 and 2004, also paid tribute to Gotti. “Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop,” he said. “When we were on bended knee, he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight, beautiful family from Queens, and it’s an honour and a privilege to have known him. Irv, you will be missed.”
In August 2024, it was revealed Gotti suffered a stroke earlier that year but had recovered from the health scare. “Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago,” a representative said. “He has since changed his diet to eating more healthy. 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.”
Gotti opened up about his health during his appearance on Drink Champs in 2023. “It’s [diabetes] rampant with black people,” he said. “What it does is, it starts deteriorating your body. I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes forever; it’s hereditary. When my [blood sugar] gets too high, shot [of insulin]. It’s reversible but you gotta change the way you eat — all that.”
He added, “But you know what’s fucked up with diabetes? So anything that you’re gonna like or tastes good, horrible for you. Now what’s some nasty shit? Broccoli… you supposed to eat some leaves or shit like that.”