Irv Gotti, renowned co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, has passed away at age 54 following a stroke. The music industry veteran, born Domingo Lorenzo Jr., leaves behind a legacy of transformative contributions to hip-hop and R&B.

Photo Credit: Irv Gotti by 2C2K Photography / CC by 2.0

Gotti, alongside his brother Chris, established Murder Inc. Records in 1998 as a Def Jam imprint. The label achieved remarkable success through launching the careers of Ja Rule and Ashanti. His keen eye for talent first proved invaluable at Def Jam, where he brought DMX to the label as an A&R executive.

Under Gotti's leadership, Murder Inc. produced numerous chart-topping hits. Ashanti, whom he discovered as a teenager, dominated 2002 with three major singles: "Always On Time" with Ja Rule, "What's Luv?" with Fat Joe, and her solo hit "Foolish," which spent 10 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100.

His production credits include 28 Billboard Hot 100 hits, featuring collaborations with artists like Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, and Kanye West. Gotti's achievements were recognized with a Grammy Award in 2003 for co-producing Ashanti's debut album.

Lyor Cohen, former Def Jam executive and current global head of music at YouTube, praised Gotti as "one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop," acknowledging his crucial role in the label's success.

Despite his musical triumphs, Gotti faced legal challenges, including a 2003 federal investigation and recent allegations of sexual assault. He and his brother were acquitted of money laundering charges in 2005.

His impact on hip-hop and R&B music remains undeniable, having shaped the sound of the early 2000s through his production work and artist development expertise.

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