Murder Inc. Founder Irv Gotti Dies at 54
Irv Gotti, the influential record executive and founder of Murder Inc. Records, has passed away at the age of 54. His death was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, though the cause has not yet been disclosed. Gotti had previously faced multiple strokes and battled diabetes-related health issues.
Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., Gotti rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, playing a pivotal role in shaping hip-hop and R&B. Through Murder Inc., he helped launch the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, producing a string of chart-topping hits. His signature style fused rap with melodic hooks, influencing some of the biggest crossover tracks of the early 2000s, including “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny” with Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez, and “Foolish” by Ashanti.
Before founding Murder Inc. in 1998, Gotti worked at Def Jam, where he was instrumental in signing DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule. Under the name DJ Irv, he also produced “Can I Live” from Jay-Z’s 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt. His production credits later extended to artists like Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Fat Joe, and Christina Milian.
Gotti’s career took a hit in the mid-2000s when the FBI investigated Murder Inc. for alleged ties to drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. Though he was acquitted, the case impacted the label’s standing. In later years, Gotti reinvented himself in television, creating the BET anthology series Tales, which blended hip-hop and storytelling.
He is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny, and Jonathan Wilson, his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo, his sisters, Tina and Angie, and his brother Chris Lorenzo, with whom he co-founded Murder Inc.
The music industry quickly reacted to the news of his passing, with tributes pouring in across social media. However, longtime rival 50 Cent stirred controversy by posting an Instagram photo of himself smoking next to a gravestone that read “RIP”, captioning it, “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him LOL.”
