Music mogul Irv Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc., dead at 54

Music shaper and mogul Irv Gotti, who helped propel Ashanti and Ja Rule to prominence and collaborated with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kanye West, has died. He was 54.

A origin of decease has not yet been confirmed for the Queens-born co-founder of Def Jam imprint Murder Inc. Records, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Gotti, calved Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., successful caller years had wellness issues linked to his diabetes, including aggregate strokes. Last year, helium remarked that diabetes “starts deteriorating your body.”

Def Jam connected Wednesday said it was “deeply saddened astatine the nonaccomplishment of Irv Gotti,” who “helped pave the mode for the adjacent procreation of artists and producers, a unit that reshaped the soundscape of hep hop and R&B.”

“His originative genius and unwavering dedication to the civilization birthed countless hits, defining an epoch of euphony that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,” continued the grounds label. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and each those who were touched by his work.”

In 1998, the DJ-turned-producer co-founded Murder Inc. with member Chris Gotti. That year, helium worked connected Jay-Z’s “Can I Get A…”  feat. Amil and Ja Rule, and enforcement produced DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” arsenic good arsenic the “Belly” soundtrack.

The pursuing year, Gotti lent his sanction to hits similar Lopez and Ja Rule’s “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” as good arsenic the latter’s debut album, “Venni Vetti Vecci.” Later, he’d besides enactment connected Ja Rule’s “Always connected Time” feat. Ashanti, who Gotti signed successful 2001.

Murder Inc., which was aboriginal renamed arsenic The Inc., was ousted from Def Jam during a money-laundering probe successful the 2000s, for which Gotti and his member were charged and acquitted successful precocious 2005.

Though not invited backmost astatine Def Jam, The Inc. moved to Universal Motown the pursuing twelvemonth and signed Vanessa Carlton, whose 2007 “Heroes and Thieves” medium was co-produced by Gotti.

In 2013, Gotti retooled the outfit erstwhile again, this clip arsenic Visionary, earlier bringing backmost Murder Inc. successful 2013.

Gotti is besides known for creating BET’s hip-hop centric “Tales” and producing respective songs by West (now known arsenic “Ye”) and moving with Fat Joe and Christina Milian.

Gotti is survived by his 3 children, his mother, 2 sisters, arsenic good arsenic his member and Murder Inc. co-founder, Chris.