Music producer and co-founder of Murder Inc, Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr, popularly known as Irv Gotti, who was instrumental in the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti and DMX is dead, the Hollywood Reporters confirmed.
He died at the age of 54. The cause of his death has not been announced.
He has however suffered a minor stroke and also battled diabetes related issues before his death.
He rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Gotti played a key role in hip-hop and R&B records of the time, working with artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti and DMX.
His career faced a setback in 2003 after the federal government raided Murder Inc’s headquarters as part of an investigation into alleged ties with drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.
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Gotti and his brother were charged with money laundering but were later acquitted of all charges.
His signature production style blended hip-hop beats with melodic hooks and influenced a wave of rap and R&B crossover hits that were inescapable from 2001 to 2004.
He produced several multi-platinum smashes with Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez, including “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny.” With Ashanti, Ja Rule landed another hit with “Always on Time,” and she, as a solo artist, charted with “Foolish,” “Rain on Me” and “Mesmerize.”
He also signed Vanessa Carlton to a record deal and produced her 2007 album “Heroes & Thieves.”
The late Gotti also released several albums under his own name.
