Murder Inc. Founder who worked with Ashanti was 54

On By Littum

Irv Gotti, a noted record director, music producer and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Murder Inc. Records, is dead, The Hollywood reporter have confirmed. He was 54.

The cause of death has not been announced, but the music mogul suffered a number of strokes in recent years and had also fought for diabetes -related problems.

Rising to prominent character in the late 1990s and early 2000s played Gotti, Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. Massive commercial success. His signature production style mixed hip-hop beats with melodic hooks and affected a wave of rap and R&B crossover hits that were inevitable from 2001 to 2004. Among them: Several Multi-Platin Arts with JA Rule and Jennifer Lopez, including “I’m real” And “it’s not fun. “With Ashanti, YES RULE landed another hit with” Always two hours, “and she, as a solo artist, mapped with” foolish “,” Rain on Me “and” Mesmerize. ”

Before the launch of Murder Inc. In New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as A&R at Def Jam, where he helped bring DMX, Jay-Z and the JA rule to the label. Under Moniker DJ Irv he produced the song “Can alive” from Jay-Z’s debut from 1996, Reasonable doubt.

Later called Inc. signed Vanessa Carlton with the label and Gotti Co-produced his 2007 album, Heroes and thievesWith Rick Rubin and Third Eye Blinds Stephan Jenkins.

Gotti’s production credits extend to items of Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Fat Joe and Christina Milian. He also released several albums under his own name.

“Def Jam has lost one of his most creative soldiers who were hip-hop,” says Lyor Cohen, who had the CEO of the label from 1988 to 2004 and was a presence from its new days (he currently serves as a global Head of music on YouTube). “When we were on bent knees, he brought the heat and saved our donkeys. He comes from a very tight beautiful family from Queens, and it is an honor and a privilege to have known him. IrV, you will be missed. “

His career was facing some setbacks in the mid-2000s due to an FBI investigation-and a raid of Murder Inc.’s offices-to-alleged ties with drugs Kenneth “Supreme” McGrif. Although it ultimately acquitted, the case murdered Inc.’s reputation. In recent years, Gotti had reinvented himself and expanded to TV with the creation of bet’s StoriesAn anthology series that mixes hip-hop and storytelling.

Gotti is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny and Jonathan Wilson; His mother, nee nee lorenzo; Sisters Tina and Angie; And his brother Chris Lorenzo, whom he co -founded Murder Inc.

The reaction to news of his death from the entire music world was quick. See some of the tribute on social media below.

50 cents Submitted a photo On Instagram of herself, smoking next to a tomb with tombstone that sounds “RIP.” He added in the caption, “I smoke on the dat gotti pack, nah god bless him lol.”