Music producer Irv Gotti dies
Prolific music producer and record executive Irv Gotti has died.
On Wednesday, editors at The Hollywood Reporter reported that the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records had passed away. He was 54.
Born Irving Lorenzo Jr., Gotti launched his career in the music business when he signed Ruff Ryders artist DMX to Def Jam in 1997.
He went on to executive produce DMX's first studio album, 1998's It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, and started the Murder Inc. Records label under Def Jam alongside his brother Chris Gotti that year.
In the early 2000s, Gotti influenced the rise of rap and R&B crossover hits such as Jennifer Lopez's 2001 track I'm Real featuring Ja Rule, as well as the rapper's smash collaboration with Ashanti, Always on Time.
Meanwhile, the New York City native also produced Ashanti's self-titled debut studio album in 2002, which included the single Foolish, and worked with artists including Kanye West, Fat Joe, Jay-Z, and Eve.
Following the sad news, a representative for Def Jam posted a tribute on Instagram in which they described Gotti as a "creative genius".
"Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," they wrote. "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. His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide."
Meanwhile, controversial rapper West - who worked with Gotti on the 2019 song Brothers, posted a photo of the producer on his Instagram page and simply added a dove emoji.
Gotti is survived by his three children: Angie, Sonny, and JJ.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
18 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Why Mindy Kaling Took A Break From Acting
At this point, Mindy Kaling is an undeniable multihyphenate. From Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls to Velma and Running Point, it honestly feels like we've gotten a show that she's created or written every time we switch on our TVs. Mindy's been so ever-present behind the scenes that it's honestly been easy to forget that we were all introduced to her as an actor — especially in the classic NBC TV show The Office (which, to be clear, she also wrote for). These days, however, Mindy isn't in front of the camera all that often. She's done some voice work on Velma and Monsters at Work, and she's made the occasional appearance on The Morning Show, but that's about it. During a recent public appearance (via The Hollywood Reporter), Mindy addressed her recent absence as an actor — especially when it came to making a cameo on Never Have I Ever, which she ultimately decided not to do. 'A show literally about an Indian American family in Southern California, and if I wasn't on that—what's wrong with me?' she joked. 'I think there is a part of me that feels a little superstitious,' she continued. 'I'm like, these seem to have gone well and I'm not in them so maybe I'll wait.' Mindy also admitted that she does "miss" acting, and that she "would like to write or co-create a show for me to act in soon" — particularly because doing so would be 'unbelievably fun and it's so efficient.' 'I would love to do that again,' she said. 'That's the thing that maybe in the next couple years, when I launch a couple other things that are earlier in the pipeline, that would be something that would be fun to do again.' We'll see what happens!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: 'A Supremely Talented Actor'
Hollywood is paying tribute to Loretta Swit after news of her death was announced Friday. According to a police report, the M*A*S*H star died of suspected natural causes at her home in New York City, her publicist, Harlan Boll, announced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Renée Victor, Voice of Abuelita in 'Coco,' Dies at 86 Devin Harjes, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Daredevil' and 'Gotham' Actor, Dies at 41 Sherry Robb, Literary Agent, Talent Manager and Producer, Dies at 81 Swit appeared in all but 11 episodes of M*A*S*H during its 11-season run, earning two Emmys for her portrayal of Maj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan. Notably, she was nominated for 10 Emmys, one for every season she appeared in except season one. After her tenure in the medical war drama, she went on to star in several films, including Freebie and the Bean (1974), Race With the Devil (1975), S.O.B. (1981) and BoardHeads (1998). Alan Alda, Swit's longtime M*A*S*H co-star, paid tribute to her on X. 'Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 EMMY nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it,' he wrote on Friday. 'She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out, listing her character not as Hot Lips but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.' Mike Farrell, who joined the series in season four, shared a photo of the late actress on Instagram, writing, 'Loretta… 1937-2025.' In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Jamie Farr, who portrayed Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in M*A*S*H, said, 'Our dear Loretta was so talented, beautiful and an exceptional friend. There is a void in my life now and I shall always have a very special place for her in my heart. May her memory be eternal.' Also in a statement to THR, Journey Gunderson, the executive director of the National Comedy Center, said, 'Loretta Swit's portrayal of Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan was groundbreaking – bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy's most enduring roles. Her talent extended well beyond that iconic character, with acclaimed work on both stage and screen that showcased her intelligence, versatility, and passion. That legacy endures through the cultural impact of MASH, which is proudly represented in the National Comedy Center.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Renée Victor, Voice of Abuelita in ‘Coco,' Dies at 86
Renée Victor, the actress known for voicing Abuelita in Disney and Pixar's Coco and starring as Lupita in Showtime's Weeds, has died. She was 86. Victor died at her home in Sherman Oaks on Friday night surrounded by her family after a battle with lymphoma, her representative told The Hollywood Reporter. More from The Hollywood Reporter Devin Harjes, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Daredevil' and 'Gotham' Actor, Dies at 41 Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: "A Supremely Talented Actor" Sherry Robb, Literary Agent, Talent Manager and Producer, Dies at 81 After being born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1938, she moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s where she grew her career as a musician. Victor worked alongside the likes of Xavier Cugat and Perez Prado, who helped popularize Latin music in the States before she and her husband began performing as the duo named 'Ray & Renée' from 1963 to 1973. She began her pivot into television in the 1970s when she hosted Pacesetters, a KTLA program that spotlighted the Chicano movement. Victor went on to be featured in an episode of Masquerade in 1984, Scarecrow and Mrs. King in 1985 and Matlock in 1987. She ventured into voice acting in 1992 with the animated The Addams Family series, with her additional credits including The Doctor, Confessions of a Shopaholic, A Night in Old Mexico and Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, among others. In 2005, she joined the cast of Weeds, where she starred as Lupita, the housekeeper to Mary-Louise Parker's character. Victor starred in Coco as the protective Aubelita, and the film went on to garner two Academy Awards for best animated feature and best original song, 'Remember Me,' written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Notably, Coco featured an all-Latin cast. After Disney announced Coco 2 was in development at Disney's Annual Shareholder Meeting earlier this year, Victor showed her excitement for the project on Instagram. 'It was my great pleasure and experience working with the incredibly talented Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina! We get to do it again,' she wrote, though the official cast for Coco 2 has not yet been confirm. 'This is what we've all been waiting for! I'm so excited! Coco shared a Mexican tradition that is now celebrated around the world in unity. An amazing amount of work and talent goes into the creation of this unique film.' Following the news of her death, Pixar shared a statement in honor of Victor on Instagram. 'We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Renée Victor, the voice Abuelita in Coco and an incredible part of the Pixar family. We will always remember you,' they wrote Saturday. Gloria Calderón Kellett, whom Victor starred alongside in Prime Video's With Love, shared a heartfelt Instagram post Saturday, recalling when they first crossed paths on the set of The Ortegas and 'she radiated talent, humor and grace.' 'It's hard to say goodbye to the incomparable Renee Victor,' she wrote. 'Years later, she would become my TV mom, Marta, on With Love — a role named after my paternal grandmother. It felt like destiny. She brought that character to life with such warmth, sharp wit, and elegance. And let's be honest — she had the best legs in the biz!' 'Renee was a true pro. A scene-stealer. A joy. A blessing. Her artistry made everything better, and her presence made every set brighter,' she wrote in the conclusion of the post. Survivor include her two daughters, Raquel and Margo. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
