RECORD producer Irv Gotti has died at the age of 54.
Gotti, the founder of Murder Inc Records, died around one year after he suffered a stroke.
Reports surfaced that Gotti, real name Irving Lorenzo, had suffered another stroke but this was not confirmed by his management team.
His cause of death has not been revealed, per The Hollywood Reporter.
But the star had been battling diabetes in the years leading up to his death.
“Diabetes is deteriorating my body,” he said in August 2023.
“I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes forever; it’s hereditary.
“When my [blood sugar] gets too high, shot [of insulin]. 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?”
Photos had surfaced online that showed Gotti walking with a cane.
Gotti’s rep previously revealed his client had suffered a minor stroke but said he had changed his diet.
STELLAR CAREER
Gotti last posted on Instagram on 12 January, wishing his late father a happy birthday.
“Miss you. And I love you,” he captioned the post.
Gotti signed off the touching post with “Your Boy.”
During his career, Gotti worked with A-listers including Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti.
He also worked with the likes of Ja Rule and DMX.
Ja Rule is known for his 2001 single Always on Time – a track that featured Ashanti.
And he made guest appearances in Lopez’s songs I’m Real (Murder Remix) and Ain’t It Funny.
Before he launched Murder Inc Records, he worked at Def Jam Records and was key in signing Jay Z to the platform.
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Tributes have poured in for the music mogul.
Kanye West, Ye, posted a dove emoji on his Instagram.
Lyor Cohen, the ex-CEO of Def Jam, described Gotti as one of the label’s “most creative soldiers.”
“He comes from a very tight beautiful family from Queens and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him,” he added.
“Irv, you will be missed.”
Hip-hop journalist Rob Markman said: “Thank you for your contributions and all the inspiration you gave.”
Steve Rifkind, the chair of Loud Records, said: “Irv, your legacy will be remembered in a big way.”
Over the past 20 years, Gotti had been embroiled in legal disputes.
He and his brother, Chris, were charged with money laundering in 2005.
Both were later acquitted.
Gotti was also accused of sexual abuse in 2024 – allegations he strongly denied.
After the allegations came to light, Gotti’s team said the claims were “baseless,” as reported by People.
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