Irv Gotti, cofounder of Murder Inc. Records, has tragically died at the age of 54.
The famed music producer, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., saw his career in the music industry start to take off in the late 1990s.
He first worked as A&R for Def Jam Recordings, signing iconic stars including Jay-Z, DMX and Ja Rule, among others.
He later co-founded Def Jam subsidiary Murder Inc. Records in 1998, which helped launch the careers of Ashanti, Ja Rule and more.
The label was later renamed The Inc. and entered the pop scene by signing Vanessa Carlton, with Gotti co-producing her 2007 album Heroes and Thieves along with Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind and Rick Rubin.
Gotti had worked with some of the biggest names in music throughout his career, including Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton.
News of Gotti's death was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, though a cause of death is not yet confirmed.
A source claimed to People that Gotti had suffered a series of strokes in recent years and was diabetic.
TMZ reported in August that Gotti had had a stroke, with hip-hop record executive and manager Wack 100, claiming he had spoken with someone at a stroke recovery facility.
Gotti's representative told the outlet in August: "Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago.
"He has since changed his diet to eating more healthy. He's been successful in making a full recovery. Irv is not in a rehab facility. He is at home with his family, enjoying life."
Days later, Gotti said in a statement to The Shade Room: "I’m getting older. That’s all. Only thing worse than getting old is not getting old."
Gotti had also addressed living with diabetes on an episode of Revolt TV's Drink Champs in August 2023, saying: "It runs rampant with Black people. What it does is, it starts deteriorating your body."
"No, [it’s not under contol]. I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes forever; it’s hereditary. When my [blood sugar] gets too high, shot [of insulin]," he continued.
"It’s reversible but you gotta change the way you eat, all that. But you know what’s f**ked up with diabetes? So anything that you’re gonna like or tastes good, horrible for you. Now what’s some nasty s**t? Broccoli… you supposed to eat some leaves or s**t like that."
In 2024, he'd revealed that he was struggling to eat healthily and be consistent with his insulin, adding: "Diabetes is deteriorating my body."
Gotti is survived by his three children: Angie, Sonny and JJ.