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Murder Inc. Records Founder Irv Gotti Dies At 54
MURDER INC. RECORDS Co-Founder/Music Exec IRV GOTTI has died at age 54. Multiple sources confirm he passed away on WEDNESDAY (2/5) in NEW YORK CITY. A cause of death has not been disclosed. He’s survived by his family. Details on memorial services have not been announced.
Born IRVING DOMINGO LORENZO JR., GOTTI had a history of health issues, including diabetes and a previous stroke in 2023. Reports indicate he suffered another stroke, leading to a brain bleed before his passing.
BET released a statement, “IRV GOTTI was a visionary who helped shape the sound of a generation. His impact on Hip-Hop and R&B will not be forgotten.”
Before launching MURDER INC. RECORDS in 1998, GOTTI worked in A&R at DEF JAM RECORDINGS, where he played a major role in signing DMX and helping to revive DEF JAM’s success. He produced “Can I Live” on JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt and Executive Produced DMX’s debut album “It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot.” MURDER INC. became a DEF JAM subsidiary, producing hits for JA RULE, ASHANTI, JENNIFER LOPEZ, EVE, and ALICIA KEYS.
In 2022, BET released THE MURDER INC. STORY, a five-part documentary covering the label’s history. GOTTI also created TV projects, including TALES on BET and GOTTI’S WAY on VH1.
GOTTI explaining how he signed DMX, click here.