Hip-hop producer and record executive Irv Gotti has died at the age of 54.
Irv Gotti dies: What’s the cause of death?
His death was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, 5 February 2025. However, the official cause of death has not been disclosed.
In 2024, Gotti suffered what his representatives described as a “minor stroke.”
The incident raised concerns about his health, particularly when he was later seen using a cane for mobility.
Reports from TMZ in August 2024 suggested that the stroke occurred six months earlier due to complications from diabetes. Despite this, his representatives claimed he was making a full recovery after adopting a healthier lifestyle.
While it remains unclear if his past health struggles played a role in his passing, further details may emerge following an official statement or medical report.
Irv Gotti biography
Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr on 26 June 1970, in Queens, New York, Gotti made a name for himself in the music industry as a record producer, executive, and entrepreneur.
He was of Filipino and African-American descent and was raised in the Hollis neighbourhood of Queens.
Gotti began his career under the name DJ Irv, producing Can I Live on Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
This early success led to a major opportunity at Def Jam Recordings, where he played a crucial role in signing DMX and overseeing the production of the rapper’s debut album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot (1998).
The album was a commercial success, selling over four million copies in the US.
In 1998, Gotti co-founded Murder Inc Records, an imprint under Def Jam. The label became a dominant force in early 2000s hip-hop and R&B, launching the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lloyd.
He was credited for producing and overseeing hit songs such as:
- Ja Rule’s Always on Time, Between Me and You, and Mesmerize
- Ashanti’s Foolish
- Fat Joe’s What’s Luv?
- Lloyd’s Southside
- DMX’s How’s It Goin’ Down
Murder Inc. was known for its chart-topping hits and influence on early 2000s hip-hop, but the label also faced legal troubles. In 2003, federal agents raided its offices as part of an investigation into Gotti’s alleged ties to drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.
Gotti and his brother Chris Lorenzo were later charged with money laundering in 2005 but were acquitted of all charges.
Following the controversy, Murder Inc. was rebranded as The Inc., and Gotti later established Visionary, a new label under which he relaunched his brand in 2013.
He also expanded into television, creating the BET series Tales, which dramatised hip-hop lyrics into short films.
Throughout his career, Gotti remained a major figure in the music industry, known for his ability to create hits and shape the sound of a generation.
Reactions to Irv’s death
Social media has exploded with reactions to Gotti’s death. Here are some of the reactions we picked:
