Irv Gotti, the chart-topping producer and music label executive who was instrumental in the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti and DMX as the co-founder of Murder Inc Records, has died at the age of 54.
The Grammy winner died on Wednesday in New York City, his family told media, but they did not reveal his cause of death. Gotti’s representatives had confirmed last August he had suffered a “minor stroke” in early 2024, saying at the time: “He’s been successful in making a full recovery.”
Several hip-hop figures shared their condolences following news of Irv’s passing. Longtime friend Ja Rule went to X and posted a broken heart emoji.
Ye reposted on Instagram a screenshot of The Hollywood Reporter’s article announcing the Murder Inc. leader’s death. In the caption, he put a single dove emoji.
Producer Pete Rock admitted that the friendship between him and Irv had soured, but they shared the same dreams.
“Im posting you up because we were friends at one point,” Pete wrote on Instagram along with XXL’s in memoriam photo of Irv. “Regardless of where our friendship ended up we both had the same dreams and ended up in the same place or places. My condolences to your family and children ❤️ rest easy! 🙏🏾 from @xxl.”
