Irv Gotti, US music legend behind huge 00s hits, dies aged 54
He worked with some of the biggest stars in the business.
Irv Gotti, a celebrated record executive and music producer who worked with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ja Rule, Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti, has died at the age of 54.
His cause of death – confirmed by Hollywood Reporter – is unknown, although Gotti had a stroke last year and had battled diabetes-related issues for some time.
Gotti is best known for founding Murder Inc. Records in 1988 with his brother Chris Gotti, but he also produced some huge hits over the years including Jay-Z’s Can I Live from the rapper’s 1996 Debut LP Reasonable Doubt.
‘Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop,’ said Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube, who was chief executive at the label for 20 years until 2004.
‘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.’
Gotti – real name Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. – rose to prominence in the late 90s and early 00s, and became influential in hip-hop and R&B genres.
Many of the artists he worked with – including Ja Rule, DMX and Ashanti – found huge success with the help of his signature style, blending catchy melodies with traditional hip-hop beats.
His hits from the time include Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule’s 2002 hit Ain’t It Funny, as well as Ashanti and Ja Rule’s Always on Time, and the former’s solo work Foolish and Rain on Me.
He also worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West.
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