Music legend who worked with Jennifer Lopez dies as R&B icons pay tribute

Irv Gotti, the legendary hip-hop producer and co-founder of the Murder Inc. record label, has died at the age of 54, it has been reported. The cause of his death is not yet known

Irv Gotti has died at the age of 54(Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Irv Gotti, the iconic hip-hop producer and founder of Murder Inc. record label, has died at 54. The music world is in mourning, just days after a night of celebration at the 2025 Grammys.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news, with the cause of the legendary music mogul's death still unknown. His passing follows a stroke that led to his admission to a recovery centre, as revealed by hip-hop manager and record executive Wack100 in a conversation with TMZ back in August 2024.

Wack100 also mentioned he had seen a photo of Irv Gotti using a cane and observed that he had "lost a lot of weight".

A representative from Irv's team clarified that the producer had been battling diabetes for years, which resulted in a minor stroke over six months ago. The rep added that Irv "had 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."

Irv had a number of health issues(Image: Getty Images)

Irv, along with his brother Chris Gotti, established Murder Inc, reports the Mirror, in 1998 and became a renowned producer and hitmaker for stars like Jennifer Lopez, Ja Rule, the late DMX, and Ashanti, among other leading hip-hop and R&B artists. His signature approach blended traditional hip-hop rhythms with catchy melodies, aiding major artists to achieve mainstream success in the early 2000s.

One of his standout remixes was I'm Real for Jennifer Lopez, featuring rapper Ja Rule, who also co-produced and co-wrote the chart-topping track.

Jennifer Lopez's collaboration with Ja Rule on the Murder Remix of Ain't It Funny also had Irv as a co-producer and co-writer, though this shouldn't be confused with Jennifer's solo hit Ain't It Funny, which shares the same title.

One of 2001's biggest hits was Ja Rule's Always On Time, featuring the late Ashanti, produced by Gotti. After discovering Ashanti as a teenager and signing her to his label Murder Inc. Records, Gotti worked on several of her solo hits. Ja Rule was also signed to the label at the time, and their combined success helped the label sell 30million units worldwide.

Irv had worked with Jennifer Lopez(Image: Getty)

Before co-founding Murder Inc., Gotti played a crucial role in getting superstar rappers Jay Z and DMX to sign with Def Jam Records, while he was working in the label's A&R division.

DMX passed away in 2021. Prior to signing Jay-Z, Irv had produced one of the tracks - Can I Live - from the rapper's 1997 debut album Reasonable Doubt.

DMX's chart-topping debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot had Irv as executive producer. Thanks to the success and fame from these hits, Irv was able to co-found Murder Inc. as a subsidiary of Def Jam, in 1998. The label is now known as The Inc., a name change that coincided with a decline in its fortunes, as follow-up releases for Ashanti and Ja Rule underperformed and big names began to leave the label.

During a stint on the Drink Champs podcast in August 2023, Irv candidly spoke about his health issues, revealing that his diabetes had started "deteriorating" his body and he hadn't managed to get his condition under control despite having it "forever".

Irv also worked with the late DMX(Image: Streeter Lecka/BIG3/Getty Images)

He admitted that his disease was "hereditary", and confessed that he wasn't regular with his insulin intake. Following the announcement of his death, fellow musicians and celebrities, including rapper 50 Cent, took to social media to comment on reports that Irv was on life support shortly before his passing.

Sharing a screenshot of a report claiming Irv was "on life support" with loved ones gathering for final goodbyes, the rapper posted: "Damn I wanted him to see my new shows yo!" Meanwhile, Russell Simmons, the co-founder of hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, shared the same update, adding that he's "praying" for Irv's "full recovery".

The Def Jam Recordings founder described Irv as a "fun", "inspired" and "good hearted person", noting that those his "age and younger ... are seeing the effects of toxic food and a toxic environment".

Irv was previously married to Debbie Lorenzo from the early 2000s until 2013, and the former couple have three children, Angie, and sons JJ and Sonny.

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