Irv Gotti, the influential music producer and founder of Murder Inc. Records, has died at the age of 54, his family confirmed in a statement. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Irving 'Irv Gotti' Lorenzo, on February 5, 2025," the statement read. "Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched." The family described him as "a true visionary who transformed the hip-hop industry and changed the game for artists and fans alike."
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Gotti, who was instrumental in shaping the careers of artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, founded Murder Inc. in 1998 as an imprint under Def Jam Recordings. His label quickly became a dominant force in hip-hop and R&B in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ja Rule, the label's first artist, broke onto the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999 with "Holla Holla" from his debut album Venni Vetti Vecci, and went on to chart 17 total hits between 1999 and 2005.
Ashanti's self-titled 2002 album, produced by Gotti, propelled her to superstardom with the hit single "Foolish," which spent ten weeks atop the Hot 100. That same year, Murder Inc. saw additional chart-toppers with Ja Rule's "Always on Time" and Fat Joe's "What's Luv?," both featuring Ashanti. Gotti produced nearly 30 Billboard Hot 100 hits, working with artists such as Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, and Kanye West. His production on Ashanti's debut album earned him a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album in 2003.
Def Jam Recordings, where Gotti once worked as an executive, paid tribute to his impact on the industry. "Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives, and employees are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," the label said in a statement. "His contributions... helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip-hop and R&B." The label praised his "creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture," crediting him with defining an era of music.
Ja Rule, who remained close with Gotti throughout his career, shared a broken heart emoji on social media following the news.
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Gotti began his career at Def Jam, where he played a key role in signing DMX. The producer was known for his ability to craft crossover hits, blending hard-hitting hip-hop beats with R&B melodies, a formula that turned Murder Inc. into a commercial powerhouse.
In 2022, Gotti made headlines when he sold a 50% stake in his label for $300 million while retaining ownership, describing the deal as a strategic move to expand into film and television production. "I gave them my past," he told Billboard. "But I know I'm about to produce a great soundtrack for every movie that comes out. I'm about to break new artists. So I'm going to build another legacy, and this time I own 100 percent."
In recent years, Gotti had been open about his struggles with diabetes. In an August 2023 appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, he spoke candidly about his health. "My diabetes, my number's been high," he admitted. "What it does is it starts deteriorating your body." When asked if he had the condition under control, he simply replied, "No."
