Irv Gotti, the outspoken music exec and co-founder of Murder Inc. Records who helped make superstars out of Ja Rule and Ashanti, has passed away. He was 54.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed his passing on Wednesday, February 5, following rumors he had suffered another stroke and brain bleed.
Irv Gotti (born Domingo Lorenzo Jr.) and his brother Chris launched Murder Inc. in 1998 as an imprint of Def Jam, where Irv worked as an A&R executive after successfully bringing DMX to the label. Murder Inc.’s first release was Ja Rule’s 1999 debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci, and Ja became the label’s flagship artist.
Through Murder Inc., Ja Rule also aided Jennifer Lopez’s rising career with features on “I’m Real” (which Gotti co-wrote), and “Ain’t It Funny,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five and six weeks, respectively.
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Gotti won a Grammy in 2003 for co-producing Ashanti’s eponymous debut album, which won Best Contemporary R&B. He was nominated again the following year for co-writing Ashanti’s “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby),” which was up for Best R&B Song.
He is credited as a producer on 28 Hot 100-charting hits, including those from Ja Rule, Ashanti, DMX, Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, and Kanye West. Gotti also scored a Top 10 hit with his own track, “Down 4 U,” which peaked at No. 6 in 2002 and featured Ja Rule, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore, and Vita.
Gotti had a history of health issues
In 2023, he discussed his battle with diabetes.
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“It’s rampant with Black people,” he said on Drink Champs at the time. “What it does is, it starts deteriorating your body. No, [it’s not under contol]. 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. But you know what’s f–ked up with diabetes? So anything that you’re gonna like or tastes good, horrible for you. Now what’s some nasty s–t? Broccoli… you supposed to eat some leaves or s–t like that.”
In 2024, he spoke about how his diabetes had taken over his life.
“Diabetes is deteriorating my body,” he admitted, adding he struggled stay healthy and consistently take his insulin.
In August, Gotti’s rep revealed he had a “minor stroke” after Wack 100 leaked photos of the record executive using a cane to walk.
“Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago,” the rep. told TMZ at the time. “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.”
Days later, Gotti spoke about his health in a statement to The Shade Room.
“I’m getting older. That’s all. Only thing worse than getting old is not getting old,” he explained.
Can You be Too Young to Have a Stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When brain cells are starved of oxygen,
they die. Stroke is a medical emergency. It’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. A delay in treatment increases the risk of
permanent brain damage or death.
Why are Black Men at Higher Risk?
• Two out of five African-American men have high blood pressure—a main risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure often starts at a younger age and is more severe in African-American men than in white men. African-American men with high blood pressure are also less likely to have it under control.
• Sickle cell anemia is the most common genetic disorder in African Americans and can lead to a stroke. Strokes can occur when sickle-shaped cells block blood vessels to the brain.
• Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. About one out of five African-American men smokes cigarettes.
• Being overweight or obese increases your risk of stroke. Seventy percent of African-American men are overweight.
• Eating too much salt, or sodium, can raise your blood pressure, putting you at higher risk of stroke. Researchers think there may be a gene that makes African Americans more sensitive to the effects of salt, which in turn increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. African Americans should limit their sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams per day.
The Diabetes and Stroke Connection
People with diabetes are at higher risk of stroke. One out of seven African-American men has been diagnosed with diabetes; and many more have the disease but do not know it.
How diabetes increases stroke risk
Blood vessel damage
High blood sugar levels can stiffen blood vessels and cause fatty deposits to build up.
Nerve damage
High blood sugar can damage the nerves that control blood vessels and the heart.
Small vessel disease
Diabetes can cause small vessel disease in the brain, which can lead to stroke.
How to reduce stroke risk
Manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
Eat a heart-healthy diet.
Don’t smoke.
Exercise regularly.
Limit alcohol.
Learn to manage stress.
Stroke symptoms
Symptoms of a stroke include:
Trouble talking
Dizziness or balance problems
Severe headache
Sudden confusion
Vision problems
Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
How Gotti got His Start in Music
Before launching Murder Inc. in New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as an A&R at Def Jam, where he helped bring DMX, Jay-Z and Ja Rule to the label. Under the moniker DJ Irv, he produced the song “Can I Live” from Jay-Z’s 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt.
Thet success helped Lorenzo start Murder Inc. as a Def Jam subsidiary, which also paved the way for him to collaborate with stars such as Jennifer Lopez (“I’m Real,” and the “Ain’t It Funny” remix), as well as Eve and Alicia Keys (“Gangsta Lovin”). In 2003, he won a Best Contemporary R&B Album Grammy for executive producing Ashanti’s eponymous debut album.
Later called The Inc., Vanessa Carlton signed with the label and Gotti co-produced her 2007 album, Heroes and Thieves, with Rick Rubin and Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins.
His production credits extend to records by Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Fat Joe and Christina Milian. He also released several albums under his own name.
Gotti 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.
“Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop,” said Lyor Cohen, a Def Jam executive from 1988 to 2004, and current global head of music at YouTube. “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 honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv, you will be missed.”
