“Loved music. Loved Hip-Hop. He was loved. Thank you for your service. #RIPIrvGotti.”
Songwriter House of Princess J highlighted Gotti’s influence:
“Damn… love him or hate him, you have to respect what he brought to the game. Without Murder Inc., there was no Ashanti or Ja Rule hits. RIP Irv Gotti. #ripirvgotti #murderinc.”
50 Cent’s Unexpected Tribute
50 Cent initially made headlines with a controversial reaction to reports of Gotti being on life support, joking, “Damn, I wanted him to see my show.”
However, after confirmation of Gotti’s death, his tone shifted. The rapper shared an Instagram post of himself smoking beside a headstone marked “RIP,” captioned:
“I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack… nah, God bless him. LOL.”
He also posted a photo of Gotti on the red carpet.
Irv Gotti’s Lasting Impact on Hip-Hop
Born Irving Lorenzo, Gotti started as a producer for New York rapper Mic Geronimo before working on Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt. His nickname, “Irv Gotti,” was inspired by notorious mafia boss John Gotti.
Gotti’s career skyrocketed after signing DMX to Def Jam Records. As executive producer of It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, he helped DMX’s album sell over four million copies in the U.S.
Recognizing his talent, then-Def Jam CEO Lyor Cohen gave Gotti his own label—Murder Inc. Alongside his brother, Chris Gotti, he built the label into a powerhouse, launching artists like Ashanti and Ja Rule while collaborating with Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe, and Kanye West.
Irv Gotti’s Final Instagram Post Honored His Late Father
Just days before his passing, Gotti shared an emotional tribute to his father on Instagram, posting a painting of them together with the caption:
“Happy Birthday Poppi. Miss you. And I Love You!!! Your Boy.”
His father, Irving Sr., was a cab driver and passed away in November 2020 at age 86.
As the music world mourns, Irv Gotti’s influence will continue to resonate through the artists and hits he helped create. His legacy in hip-hop remains unmatched.
