2025 Celebrity Deaths: Remembering Lost Stars
- Irv Gotti, the producer who helped shape late 1990s and early 2000s hip-hop, has died.
- Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., Gotti started as an A&R executive at Def Jam, bringing artists such as Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule to the label.
- Gotti then launched Murder Inc.Records, where he produced hits for Jay-Z ("Can I get A…"), DMX ("What's My Name"), Ja Rule ("Holla Holla"), Fat joe ("What's Luv?"), Jennifer...
irv Gotti, Influential Hip-Hop Producer, Dies
Updated June 02, 2025
Irv Gotti, the producer who helped shape late 1990s and early 2000s hip-hop, has died. He was the founder of Murder Inc. Records.
Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., Gotti started as an A&R executive at Def Jam, bringing artists such as Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule to the label. His production work on Jay-Z’s ”Can I Live” in 1996 marked his breakthrough.
Gotti then launched Murder Inc.Records, where he produced hits for Jay-Z (“Can I get A…”), DMX (“What’s My Name”), Ja Rule (“Holla Holla”), Fat joe (“What’s Luv?”), Jennifer Lopez (“I’m Real”), and Ashanti (“Foolish”).
In recent years, Gotti faced health challenges, including strokes and diabetes-related issues. He died Feb. 5. The cause of death was not released.
What’s next
the music industry mourns the loss of a hip-hop innovator, and his influence on the genre will continue to be felt for years to come.