Grammy-winning music producer and record executive Irving "Irv Gotti" Lorenzo, known for developing the careers of artists like Ashanti, DMX, and Ja Rule, has died at age 54.
Def Jam Recordings, where Gotti once served as an executive and which was the parent company of his label Murder Inc. at its inception, confirmed his death late Wednesday.
"Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," the company said in the statement, according to USA Today.
"His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder. Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B," the statement read. "His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide."
Lorenzo played a key role in launching top R&B and hip-hop artists in the 1990s and 2000s. He helped sign DMX to Def Jam and produced "Can I Live" from Jay-Z's 1996 album "Reasonable Doubt."
In 1998, Lorenzo and his brother founded Murder Inc. Records under Def Jam. The label's first release, Ja Rule's "Venni Vetti Vecci," went platinum, followed by the rapper's multi-platinum albums "Rule 3:36" and "Pain Is Love."
In 2002, Murder Inc. released Ashanti's self-titled debut album, which included hits like "Foolish" and "Baby." Lorenzo won a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album for his production work on the record. He later signed singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton and helped produce her 2007 album "Heroes and Thieves."
In 2022, Lorenzo struck a multimillion dollar deal, selling his 50% stake in Murder Inc. while keeping ownership rights.
In 2023, TMZ reported that Lorenzo had suffered a stroke, with a representative noting that he had battled diabetes for years. Speaking on the "Drink Champs" podcast in August, he acknowledged his health struggles, saying, "My diabetes, my numbers been high. ... They said, 'Dad, you can't do "Drink Champs."' I said I ain't going to drink or smoke."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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