Latest news with #CanILive
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Record producer Irv Gotti dies aged 54 as Kanye West and 50 Cent lead tributes
Record producer Irv Gotti has died aged 54. The Murder Inc. Records co-founder's cause of death is not yet known, according to The Hollywood Reporter, who confirmed his passing. Irv - who worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Ja Rule, Ashanti and DMX - suffered a "minor" stroke early last year, and he had battled diabetes-related issues. Following the tragic news, the music world has paid tribute to Irv, including label Def Jam, where he got his big break. A statement on the company's Instagram account reads: "Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti. "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. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work." Kanye West also paid tribute to Irv. Ye shared the story about the record producer's passing on his Instagram account, and he added a white dove emoji. In tribute to Irv, 50 Cent posted a picture of himself smoking next to a grave headstone, which had "RIP" on, and he wrote: "I'm smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him [white dove emoji] LOL (sic)" Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr, the star worked as an A and R at Def Jam, where he was a catalyst in the likes of Jay-Z, Ja Rule and DMX joining the label. Irv also produced Jay's tune 'Can I Live' from the rapper's 1996 record 'Reasonable Doubt'. He went on to launch Murder Inc in New York City in 1998, and later in his career he co-produced Vanessa Carlton's 2007 album 'Heroes and Thieves' alongside Rick Rubin and Stephan Jenkins.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music executive Irv Gotti dead at 54, produced hits for Jay-Z, Ashanti, DMX and more
Record executive and music producer Irving "Irv Gotti" Lorenzo died at age 54, according to multiple news outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ. The cause of his death is not yet confirmed. Irv Gotti produced records for Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, and several more artists. He was the founder of the record label Murder Inc. and an executive at the parent company Def Jam Recordings. Gotti was as controversial in the music industry as he was brilliant. If you're a millennial that grew up in the early 2000s, you've probably heard an Irv Gotti song or two. Here is what to know about his career. The Grammy-winning producer is credited with the rise of several chart-topping R&B and hip-hop artists in the '90s and 2000s and has producer credits on songs such as the 1996 track "Can I Live" off Jay-Z's debut album, "Reasonable Doubt" and Ashanti's single "Foolish" off her self-titled debut album in 2002. Following a successful stint working for Def Jam, where he signed DMX as an artist, the Queens-born talent and his brother founded the Def Jam imprint Murder Inc. Records in 1998. The label's first release was Ja Rule's debut album, "Venni Vetti Vecci," which went on to achieve platinum status. This was followed by the rapper's triple-platinum records "Rule 3:36" (2000) and "Pain Is Love" (2001). In 2022, he sold his 50% share of Murder Inc. and retained ownership, securing a multi-million dollar deal. While the case of his death is still not confirmed, Lorenzo has been open about his health issues. Last year, TMZ reported that Lorenzo experienced a stroke, citing a representative who said Lorenzo "has been struggling with diabetes for years." In an August 2023 interview on the "Drink Champs" podcast, Lorenzo said, "My diabetes, my number's been high. ... They said, 'Dad, you can't do 'Drink Champs.' I said I ain't going to drink or smoke. "What it does is it starts deteriorating your body," he explained, answering "no" when asked whether he has his diabetes "under control." In 2005, the U.S. government cleared Irv and his brother Chris Gotti, as well as their record label Murder Inc., of charges following a two-year legal battle. The Lorenzo brothers had to demonstrate that their lucrative, multi-million dollar music business was not serving as a front for money-laundering activities connected to drug trafficker Kenneth 'Supreme' McGriff of Queens, New York's infamous Supreme Team. Def Jam Recordings, where Gotti worked as an executive and Murder Inc.'s parent company when it was founded, confirmed Gotti's death in a statement late Wednesday. The Hollywood Reporter, People and TMZ reported the news Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, and did not share a cause of death. "Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," Def Jam said in the statement. "His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R (artists and repertoire) 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." Hip-hop fans, artists, and admirers of Lorenzo's music expressed their condolences on social media. -USA TODAY Network KiMi Robinson contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Did Irv Gotti pass away? Music producer dies at 54
USA Today
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Irv Gotti, Grammy-winning producer for Ashanti and Ja Rule, dies at 54
Hear this story Record executive and music producer Irving "Irv Gotti" Lorenzo, who helped launch music careers for Ashanti, DMX and Ja Rule, has died at 54. Def Jam Recordings, where Gotti worked as an executive and Murder Inc.'s parent company when it was founded, confirmed Gotti's death in a statement late Wednesday. The Hollywood Reporter, People and TMZ reported the news Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, and did not share a cause of death. "Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," Def Jam said in the statement. "His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R (artists and repertoire) 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." USA TODAY has reached out to Lorenzo's company, Visionary Ideas, and his brother, Chris "Gotti" Lorenzo, for comment. Remembering those we lost: Celebrity Deaths 2025 The Grammy-winning producer is credited with the rise of several chart-topping R&B and hip-hop artists in the '90s and 2000s and has producer credits on songs such as the 1996 track "Can I Live" off Jay-Z's debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." Following a successful stint working for Def Jam, where he signed DMX as an artist, the Queens-born talent and his brother founded the Def Jam imprint Murder Inc. Records in 1998. The first album the label released was Ja Rule's debut album, "Venni Vetti Vecci," which went on to achieve platinum status and was followed by the rapper's triple-platinum records "Rule 3:36" (2000) and "Pain Is Love" (2001). The rapper shared a broken heart emoji on social media late Wednesday. A year later, Ashanti's self-titled debut album, featuring chart-toppers "Foolish" and "Baby," was released by Murder Inc. For his production credits on the record, Lorenzo earned a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album at the 45th Grammy Awards. He later signed singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton to his label and helped produce her third album, 2007's "Heroes and Thieves." In 2022, he scored a multi-million dollar deal for his share in Murder Inc. after selling his 50% share in the company while retaining ownership. Of the deal, he told Billboard at the time: "I'm a very spiritual person, and it's God and my dad who passed away on Nov. 1 looking out for their boy. It's very surreal, but I would give every dollar of the $300 million to get my dad back. But he's with me and I feel his presence." He added, "I gave them my past. But I know I'm about to produce a great soundtrack for every movie that comes out. I'm about to break new artists (into the mainstream). I'm about to produce their music. So I'm going to build another (legacy), and this time I own 100 percent." Irv Gotti felt diabetes was 'deteriorating' his body Last year, TMZ reported that Lorenzo experienced a stroke, citing a representative who said Lorenzo "has been struggling with diabetes for years." In an August 2023 interview on the "Drink Champs" podcast, Lorenzo said, "My diabetes, my number's been high. ... They said, 'Dad, you can't do 'Drink Champs.' I said I ain't going to drink or smoke. "What it does is it starts deteriorating your body," he explained, answering "no" when asked whether he has his diabetes "under control." "I've been diagnosed with diabetes forever," he said. After being asked about which foods he should be avoiding, he added, "I'm going to enjoy life."
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Irv Gotti, Grammy-winning producer for Ashanti and Ja Rule, dies at 54
Record executive and music producer Irving "Irv Gotti" Lorenzo, who helped launch music careers for Ashanti, DMX and Ja Rule, has died at 54. Def Jam Recordings, where Gotti worked as an executive and Murder Inc.'s parent company when it was founded, confirmed Gotti's death in a statement late Wednesday. The Hollywood Reporter, People and TMZ reported the news Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, and did not share a cause of death. "Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," Def Jam said in the statement. "His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R (artists and repertoire) 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." USA TODAY has reached out to Lorenzo's company, Visionary Ideas, and his brother, Chris "Gotti" Lorenzo, for comment. The Grammy-winning producer is credited with the rise of several chart-topping R&B and hip-hop artists in the '90s and 2000s and has producer credits on songs such as the 1996 track "Can I Live" off Jay-Z's debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." Following a successful stint working for Def Jam, where he signed DMX as an artist, the Queens-born talent and his brother founded the Def Jam imprint Murder Inc. Records in 1998. The first album the label released was Ja Rule's debut album, "Venni Vetti Vecci," which went on to achieve platinum status and was followed by the rapper's triple-platinum records "Rule 3:36" (2000) and "Pain Is Love" (2001). The rapper shared a broken heart emoji on social media late Wednesday. A year later, Ashanti's self-titled debut album, featuring chart-toppers "Foolish" and "Baby," was released by Murder Inc. For his production credits on the record, Lorenzo earned a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album at the 45th Grammy Awards. He later signed singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton to his label and helped produce her third album, 2007's "Heroes and Thieves." In 2022, he scored a multi-million dollar deal for his share in Murder Inc. after selling his 50% share in the company while retaining ownership. Of the deal, he told Billboard at the time: "I'm a very spiritual person, and it's God and my dad who passed away on Nov. 1 looking out for their boy. It's very surreal, but I would give every dollar of the $300 million to get my dad back. But he's with me and I feel his presence." He added, "I gave them my past. But I know I'm about to produce a great soundtrack for every movie that comes out. I'm about to break new artists (into the mainstream). I'm about to produce their music. So I'm going to build another (legacy), and this time I own 100 percent." Last year, TMZ reported that Lorenzo experienced a stroke, citing a representative who said Lorenzo "has been struggling with diabetes for years." In an August 2023 interview on the "Drink Champs" podcast, Lorenzo said, "My diabetes, my number's been high. ... They said, 'Dad, you can't do 'Drink Champs.' I said I ain't going to drink or smoke. "What it does is it starts deteriorating your body," he explained, answering "no" when asked whether he has his diabetes "under control." "I've been diagnosed with diabetes forever," he said. After being asked about which foods he should be avoiding, he added, "I'm going to enjoy life." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Irv Gotti dead: Grammy-winning hip-hop mogul dies at 54
The Independent
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Irv Gotti death: Murder Inc co-founder who worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West, dies aged 54
Irv Gotti, the Murder Inc Records co-founder and producer behind some of the biggest hits of the Nineties and Noughties, has died aged 54. His family told US media that the Grammy-winning music mogul – who was instrumental in the careers of artists such as Ja Rule, DMX and Ashanti – died on Wednesday (5 February) in New York City. A cause of death was not disclosed. Gotti suffered a 'minor stroke' in early 2024, representatives confirmed at the time, but said he had been 'successful in making a full recovery'. In a statement on Wednesday evening, Def Jam – the label of which Murder Inc was an imprint – said it was 'deeply saddened' by the news of his death. '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 said. Tributes have also flooded in on social media. Kanye West posted a screenshot of an article to his Instagram announcing Gotti's death and added a white dove emoji in the caption. 50 Cent appeared to reference his long-running feud with Gotti, as he posted a photo of himself on Instagram in which he is seen smoking next to a gravestone that says 'RIP'. 'I'm smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him LOL,' he wrote. Born Irving Lorenzo, the youngest of eight children raised in Hollis, Queens in the Seventies, Gotti – christened as such by Jay-Z – started out as a tastemaker at Def Jam and had an early credit as DJ Irv on 'Can I Live', which featured on the rapper's 1996 debut. He went on to play a crucial role in some of the biggest R&B and hip-hop records of the time, frequently blending hip-hop beats with R&B melodies to create huge crossover successes. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Among them were Jennifer Lopez's 'I'm Real' ft Ja Rule, Ashanti's 'Always on Time' (also ft Ja Rule) and Ashanti's debut solo single 'Foolish', which spent 10 consecutive weeks at No 1 on the US Billboard 100. 'People get confused because it sells like pop music,' he told The Guardian in 2002 of his approach to working with stars such as Lopez, Eve and Alicia Keys. 'But we make Black music first and foremost, and all our records [are] 'hood first'.' He co-founded Murder Inc in New York with his brother, Chris, in 1998, and later extended his production credits to records by Kanye West, Christina Milian and Fat Joe, as well as releasing a number of albums under his own name. He ran into trouble in the early Noughties due to an FBI raid of Murder Inc's offices into allegations of money laundering. He and his brother were charged but ultimately acquitted of all charges. 'Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers who was hip-hop,' Lyor Cohen, YouTube's global head of music who served as chief executive at Def Jam between 1988 to 2004, told The Hollywood Reporter. 'When we were on bended knee, he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight, beautiful family from Queens and it's an honour and a privilege to have known him. Irv, you will be missed.' Gotti evidently doted on his children, regularly sharing photos of family gatherings. 'The older I get the more I love hanging out with my kids… And spoiling them,' he wrote in a post last year celebrating his son Jonathan's birthday. He had recently celebrated the wedding of his daughter, Angie. On Instagram, he shared a picture of their proposal and spoke of his excitement at the forthcoming nuptials, adding: 'I'm ready to be a grandpa!' He is survived by his three children, Angie, Sonny and Jonathan Wilson; his mother, Nee Nee Lorenzo; sisters Tina and Angie, and his brother Chris.
