Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Records Founder, Passes Away at 54

Irv Gotti, the influential label executive and founder of Murder Inc. Records, has passed away at the age of 54, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The exact cause of his death has not yet been established, but it comes days after he reportedly suffered a stroke leading to a brain bleed.

This incident followed a previous stroke he experienced in August 2024.

The news of Gotti’s passing was first reported by AllHipHop, which stated that he was “declared dead” on the morning of Wednesday, February 5. The hip-hop community and fans quickly took to social media to express their shock and grief, offering condolences to his family and friends.

Among them was Jamie Foxx, who briefly posted a tribute on Instagram before deleting it due to initial uncertainty about Gotti’s condition. “Wow. Rest in power my brother,” Foxx wrote. “Your music and your legacy will never be forgotten… Irv you have spread a lot of love and a lot of wisdom to everyone that you met. Rest up!”

While some, like rapper 50 Cent, reacted with controversial remarks, others like Russell Simmons expressed deep concern and well-wishes for Gotti’s recovery prior to his passing. Simmons also used the moment to urge his followers to prioritize their health, reflecting on the broader impacts of lifestyle and environmental factors.

Before founding Murder Inc., Gotti made significant contributions to the music industry as an A&R at Def Jam Records, where he helped launch the careers of major artists like JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.

He was instrumental in shaping the sound of the late 90s and early 2000s, producing hits such as JAY-Z’s “Can I Get A…,” Foxy Brown’s “Hot Spot,” and several popular tracks for Ja Rule and Ashanti.

Lyor Cohen, the global head of music at YouTube and former colleague of Gotti at Def Jam, remarked on his passing: “Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop.

When we were on bended knee, he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight beautiful family from Queens and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv, you will be missed.”