Irv Gotti

Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. was born in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, New York City, on June 26, 1970.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/irv-gotti-mn0000773161/biography|title = Irv Gotti Biography, Songs, & Albums|website = AllMusic}}{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2012 |title=Irv Gotti To Def Jam: "[They] Ain't F*cking W/ Me, I'm Too Much Of A N*gga" [Video] | SOHH.COM |url=http://www.sohh.com/2012/01/def_jam_aint_fcking_w_me_im_too_much_of.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122224008/http://www.sohh.com/2012/01/def_jam_aint_fcking_w_me_im_too_much_of.html |archive-date=January 22, 2012}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1008041hiphop23.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012012800/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1008041hiphop23.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2004 |title=The Smoking Gun: Archive |date=October 12, 2004}} Lorenzo was of African-American and Filipino descent, though he was commonly mistaken for having Dominican heritage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Beg5c4hnpDT/?hl=en|title=My Dad's Dad!! My Grandfather. Where my Family gets that flavor from. He Passed Away before I got to know him... |website=Instagram.com|access-date=February 6, 2025}} His father Irving was a taxicab driver and dispatcher. He was the youngest of eight siblings, including two sisters and an older brother named Christopher, who later became known as Chris Gotti.{{cite web | last=Feuer | first=Alan | title=Street Friendship Shadows a Money-Laundering Trial | website=The New York Times | date=2005-11-23 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/23/nyregion/street-friendship-shadows-a-moneylaundering-trial.html | access-date=2025-02-07}}{{cite web | last=Watson | first=Margeaux | title=Irv Gotti's career comeback | website=EW.com | date=2007-12-07 | url=https://ew.com/article/2007/12/07/irv-gottis-career-comeback/ | access-date=2025-02-12}}

Gotti's career started as a preteen when his sister Christina bought him turntables for his birthday. Under the moniker DJ Irv, he would make mixtapes with beats and DJ mixes in the family basement, selling them for $10 at local barbershops. According to rapper Jaz-O, Gotti was one of the first to do hip-hop street mixtapes.{{cite web | title=MTV.com: Murder Inc.: In Gotti We Trust | website=mtv.com | date=2005-01-31 | url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/murder_inc/news_feature_071902/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908020742/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/murder_inc/news_feature_071902/ | archive-date=2009-09-08 | url-status=dead | access-date=2025-02-27}} Many of his initial mixtape customers were hustlers and drug dealers, and for a brief period Gotti was a small-time dealer of both cocaine and crack cocaine. After a run in with local police, however, he left the trade.{{cite web | last=Phillips | first=Dom | title=Pop: 'When you've got the formula for success, it's simple' | website=the Guardian | date=2002-10-24 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/oct/24/artsfeatures.popandrock | access-date=2025-02-27}} By the age of fifteen, Gotti would go on to DJ at parties at local parks and nightclubs in Queens. This caught the attention of record executive Russell Simmons, and rappers Rev Run and LL Cool J would visit his family's home as word spread.

In 1987, Gotti and Jaz-O were under the same management company Joss Productions, and Jaz-O's record label had an idea to record an album with a concept similar to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with Gotti as the DJ, Jaz-O as the rapper and Jay-Z as the hype man. While recording the album Word to the Jaz in London in 1988, Jay-Z and Gotti began to foster their relationship on the trip.{{cite web | title='Drink Champs': Irv Gotti says trying to sign Nas is "one of the biggest regrets of my life" | website=REVOLT | date=2017-11-08 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2017-11-08/34513/drink-champs-irv-gotti-says-trying-to-sign-nas-is-one-of-the-biggest-regrets-of-my-life | access-date=2025-02-20}}{{cite web | last=Elibert | first=Mark | title=JAY-Z Explains How Irv Gotti Got His Name | website=HipHopDX | date=2022-08-15 | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72595/title.jay-z-irv-gotti-nickname | access-date=2025-02-20}}{{cite web | last=Bristout | first=Ralph | title=Jay Z's "Drug Dealers Anonymous": Revisiting The '89 Trip To London | website=REVOLT | date=2016-06-01 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2016-06-01/15929/jay-zs-drug-dealers-anonymous-revisiting-the-89-trip-to-london | access-date=2025-02-20}}{{cite web | last=Rys | first=Dan | title=Irv Gotti Explains How Jay Z, DMX and Ja Rule Got Their Record Deals | website=XXL Mag | date=2015-08-27 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/irv-gotti-jay-z-dmx-ja-rule/ | access-date=2025-02-20}}{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Preezy | title=9 gems from Irv Gotti’s “Drink Champs” episode | website=REVOLT | date=2019-12-02 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-12-02/83649/9-gems-from-irv-gottis-drink-champs-episode | access-date=2025-02-27}} In 1988, while on a promotional tour for Jaz-O, Gotti was roommates with producer Chad Elliott, who later introduced him in Yonkers to DMX and brothers Joaquin "Waah" and Darrin "Dee" Dean, who had mentioned they were creating a company called Ruff Ryders together. In 1989, Elliott and Gotti worked on a beat called "Born Loser", which became one of DMX's first music demo's and

was later released as his debut single in 1992.{{cite web | last=Drake | first=David | title=DMX, Rapper Who Blended Aggressive Menace With Emotional Sincerity, Dead at 50 | website=Rolling Stone | date=2021-04-09 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dmx-rapper-dead-175779/ | access-date=2025-02-28}} Producer Large Professor later taught Gotti how to produce on a E-mu SP-12 and Akai S950 while recording the 1991 remix for "It's a Boy" by Slick Rick.

One of the first musicians he discovered was rapper Mic Geronimo at a local high school talent show.{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Alex | last2=Yoon | first2=John | title=Irv Gotti, Streetwise Hip-Hop Music Mogul, Dies at 54 | website=The New York Times | date=2025-02-06 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/arts/music/irv-gotti-dead.html | access-date=2025-02-26}}{{cite web | title=IRV GOTTI GETS AWAY WITH MURDER | website=HITS | date=2000-10-06 | url=https://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumor-mill/irv-gotti-gets-away-with-murder | access-date=2025-02-28}} Gotti, under the moniker DJ Irv, produced and independently distributed the 1993 recording of "Shit's Real" by Mic Geronimo; the single was re-released in 1994 under Blunt/TVT. This helped Gotti secure a job as a talent scout in the A&R department at the record label, where he was hired by Steve Gottlieb in 1995.{{cite web | last=Philips | first=Chuck | title=Rap Label Offices Raided in Probe | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2003-01-04 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-04-fi-raid4-story.html | access-date=2025-02-27}} During his time at TVT, he signed Mic Geronimo and Queens-based rap group Cash Money Click, of which rapper Ja Rule was a member, after discovering them in 1991.{{cite news | last=Ho | first=Vivian | title=Irv Gotti, producer who reshaped hip-hop and R&B, dies at 54 | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2025-02-06 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/02/06/irv-gotti-dead-murder-inc-records/ | access-date=2025-02-07}} Gotti produced songs on Mic Geronimo's 1995 debut album The Natural, which rap supergroup Murder Inc. consisting of DMX, Ja Rule, and Jay-Z was first featured on the song "Time to Build". Gotti convinced Waah to buy him a Akai MPC60 drum machine to produce records for DMX, which resulted in the 1995 single "Make a Move".{{cite web | last=Weiss | first=Jeff | title=DMX Turned Agony and Atomic Energy Into One of Rap’s Most Titanic Legacies | website=GQ | date=2021-04-11 | url=https://www.gq.com/story/dmx-obituary | access-date=2025-02-28}}

In 1995,{{cite web | last=Philips | first=Chuck | title=Irv 'Gotti' of Murder Inc. Breaks His Silence | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2003-06-30 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-30-fi-gottiq-a30-story.html | access-date=2025-02-27}} Jay-Z claimed DJ Irv to be "The Don of Hip-Hop", giving him the moniker Irv Gotti, which was inspired by mobster John Gotti. Gotti later produced the song "Can I Live" from Jay-Z's 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt,

and helped service "Ain't No Playa" to radio. He also acted as Jay-Z's tour DJ, and helped create the joint venture between Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam in 1997.

In 1997, DMX was featured on the album Vendetta by Mic Geronimo which Gotti executive produced. The same year, as Blunt Recordings was folding, Gotti left TVT to become an A&R for Def Jam Recordings. In May 1997, {{Cite magazine|last1=Lamarre|first1=Carl|date=22 April 2021|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/dmx-def-jam-kevin-liles-lyor-cohen-interview-9561232/|title=Executives Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles Remember DMX & Reveal How He Helped Save Def Jam|magazine=Billboard |access-date= May 28, 2022}} through Gotti, Def Jam signed DMX. Initially, there was a dispute over signing DMX and Gotti had threatened to leave the company if they did not follow through with signing him. Gotti, as executive producer, oversaw DMX's first studio album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot, which was released on May 12, 1998. The album debuted and peaked atop the Billboard 200 and sold over 250,000 copies in its first week.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/today-in-hip-hop-dmx-drops-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot/|title=Today in Hip-Hop: DMX Drops 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot'|website=Xxlmag.com|date=May 19, 2016 |access-date= May 28, 2022}} The album went on to sell four million copies in the United States, being certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, and sold five million copies worldwide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/features/lists/dmx-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot-tracklist-ranked-587279/|title= DMX's 'It's Dark And Hell Is Hot' Tracklist, Ranked|website=Vibe.com|date= May 23, 2018|access-date= May 28, 2022}}

Gotti was an A&R for Def Jam on the 1997 albums Back in Business by EPMD, How to Be a Player soundtrack and the 1998 albums Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood by DMX, the Belly soundtrack, and the Rush Hour soundtrack. One of his last major singles produced under solely Def Jam was "Hot Spot" by Foxy Brown. Gotti turned down demo tapes from a young 50 Cent in 1997 suggesting his sound was too similar to Jay-Z after Jam Master Jay had shown the songs for a potential record deal.{{cite web | last=Saponara | first=Michael | title=50 Cent Recalls Irv Gotti & Def Jam Turning Down His Demo in 1997 | website=Billboard | date=2019-06-06 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/50-cent-irv-gotti-def-jam-poetics-podcast-interview-8514873/ | access-date=2025-03-10}} 50 Cent would be featured in his first studio release on the 1998 single "React" for the Onyx album Shut 'Em Down which Gotti was the A&R for. He also advised a young Pitbull in 1998 to focus on writing records instead of only freestyle rapping.{{cite web | last=Ramirez | first=Erika | title=Exclusive: VH1 ‘Behind the Music’ Season Stars Pitbull, T-Pain, Brandy, Nas, Akon & Game | website=Billboard | date=2012-02-15 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/exclusive-vh1-behind-the-music-season-stars-pitbull-t-pain-brandy-505865/ | access-date=2025-03-10}} In 1998, Gotti co-produced his first Hot 100 single, which was Jay-Z's "Can I Get A..." featuring Ja Rule and Amil.

After helping Def Jam with the success of Jay-Z and the pending development of DMX, the label had grown over $100 million in value, and from 1997 to 1998 Lyor Cohen planned to give Gotti his own label under Def Jam, which he co-founded with his brother Chris in 1999. While watching Biography on A&E during gangster week, Gotti saw a Murder, Inc. logo appear on the screen and decided to use the name for his label because Murder, Inc. put out hits for murder and Gotti wanted to put out hit records. The label was given $3 million to start up with, and an additional $5 million more in label advances after renegotiation. Prior to the label's founding, Gotti was first earning $30,000 a year in salary and later $60,000 annually.

The first album released under Murder Inc. was Ja Rule's 1999 debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci. Gotti was the album's executive producer and oversaw the development of the entire album. The album's single "Holla Holla" earned Ja Rule his first top 40 Hot 100 hit. Gotti also executive produced Ja Rule's second studio album, Rule 3:36.{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/irv-gotti-dead-murder-inc-records.html |title=Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Records Founder, Dead at 54 |website=Vulture}}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/irv-gotti-dead-ja-rule-ashanti-producer-music-executive-murder-inc-1236297322/ |title=Irv Gotti, Music Executive Behind Ja Rule and Ashanti and Co-Founder of Murder Inc., Dies at 54 |website=Variety}} Gotti contributed to a majority of the album soundtrack for The Fast and the Furious, while his brother Chris co-executive produced the album. He also contributed to the soundtrack for Romeo Must Die and executive produced Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers.{{cite web | title=Irv Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, dies at 54 | website=TODAY.com | date=2025-02-06 | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/irv-gotti-dead-rcna190958 | access-date=2025-02-26}} From 1999 to 2003, Gotti, Ja Rule, and Murder Inc. were all involved in a well-publicized feud{{cite web | title=The Complete History Of 50 Cent And Ja Rule's Relationship | website=Capital XTRA | date=2019-03-04 | url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/50-cent/lists/ja-rule-complete-relationship-history/ | access-date=2025-02-12}} with G-Unit Records, Aftermath Records, and Shady Records over the history between 50 Cent and Ja Rule.

Gotti met Ashanti through a mutual friend; initially, he had too many projects to also work on her music but invited her to visit the studio while he executive produced on Ja Rule's 2001 album Pain Is Love. After months of being around the studio together, Ashanti was placed on the 2001 single "How We Roll" by Big Pun. The 2001 single "I'm Real (Murda Remix)" by Jennifer Lopez was Gotti’s first number one on the Hot 100. Following this, her "Ain't It Funny" remix, as well as Ja Rule's "Always on Time" featuring Ashanti, went to number one on the Hot 100. Ashanti's Gotti-produced 2002 debut single "Foolish" was their second number one together. "What's Luv" by Fat Joe featuring Ashanti was released a week prior and peaked at number two. In 2003, Ashanti and Gotti won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for her self-titled debut, Ashanti. The following year, they were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song with "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)".

In 2002, Gotti released Irv Gotti Presents The Inc, featuring the Murder Inc. roster. The album, executive produced by Gotti, featured the Gotti-produced hit single, "Down 4 U", which was a top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100. Gotti executive produced the album The Last Temptation for Ja Rule, and produced the single "Rainy Dayz" for Mary J. Blige the same year. His relationship with Jay-Z soured for a brief period in 2002 when Gotti tried to sign Nas, whom Jay-Z had been feuding with, to a record deal with Murder Inc.{{cite web | title=Nas Kills The Speculation: 'It's Murder!' | website=mtv.com | date=2002-08-08 | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1456938/nas-kills-the-speculation-its-murder/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802021954/http://www.mtv.com/news/1456938/nas-kills-the-speculation-its-murder/ | archive-date=2016-08-02 | url-status=dead | access-date=2025-03-03}}{{cite web | last=Barber | first=Andrew | title=That Time Nas Joined Murder Inc. For Like Two Months in 2002 | website=VICE | date=2017-08-31 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/that-time-nas-joined-murder-inc-for-like-two-months-in-2002/ | access-date=2025-03-03}} Gotti frequently used MDMA pills over a three-year period around 2002, which caused rifts with Jennifer Lopez and Nas. Many of his notable records were made under the influence at the time.{{cite web | author=Soraya " | title=Irv Gotti On Betraying J.Lo While Abusing Drugs | website=BET | date=2019-07-02 | url=https://www.bet.com/article/ygm6fq/irv-gotti-on-betraying-j-lo-while-abusing-drugs | access-date=2025-03-03}}{{cite web | last=Mahadevan | first=Tara | title=Irv Gotti Recalls Nas Shutting Down His Ecstacy-Fueled Id... | website=Complex | date=2023-08-21 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/irv-gotti-nas-rolls-royce-fried-chicken-baltimore | access-date=2025-03-03}} Around 2002, Gotti began to network with record executives Suge Knight and James Prince with plans to form a union and distribution company for recording artists. All three encountered legal issues simultaneously, so the concept was halted.{{cite web | last=Lilah | first=Rose | title=J. Prince Details How DEA Targeted Him, Suge Knight & Irv Gotti Over Black-Owned Distribution Business | website=HotNewHipHop | date=2020-12-23 | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/338558-j-prince-details-how-dea-targeted-him-suge-knight-and-irv-gotti-after-they-tried-to-start-black-owne-news | access-date=2022-11-01}}{{cite web | last=Markman | first=Rob | title=Irv Gotti And Suge Knight Planned To Unionize Artists - News | website=MTV | date=2011-10-10 | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/sn1u54/irv-gotti-suge-knight-union | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831014457/https://www.mtv.com/news/sn1u54/irv-gotti-suge-knight-union | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 31, 2022 | access-date=2022-11-01}}

In January 2003, the United States government opened public investigations, which had been privately conducted during the year prior, on Gotti's and Murder Inc.'s relationship with drug lord Kenneth McGriff founder of the organized crime syndicate the Supreme Team. Due to the ongoing feuds and investigations, in December 2003, Murder Inc. changed their name to "The Inc."{{cite web | last=Leeds | first=Jeff | title=Rap Label Eliminates 'Murder' From Its Name | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2003-12-04 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-04-fi-murder4-story.html | access-date=2025-02-12}} and did a rebrand of their website without mob imagery. During the same year Gotti executive produced Ashanti's Chapter II and Ashanti's Christmas, as well as Ja Rule's Blood in My Eye album. Gotti began working with singer Lloyd in 2004, he executive produced the albums Southside for Lloyd, R.U.L.E. for Ja Rule, and Concrete Rose for Ashanti that year.

In the first five years of inception, from 1999 to 2004, the label earned $50 million in profit from the sale of 14 million CDs.{{cite web | last=Philips | first=Chuck | title=Case Against Rap Label Is Disputed by Audit | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2003-06-04 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-04-fi-murder4-story.html | access-date=2025-02-27}} Annually, the label grossed over $100 million during this period, going on to sell over 30 million albums, and nearly a $1 billion for Universal and Island Def Jam for almost a decade. Throughout the peak run of Murder Inc., Gotti worked predominately with his Top Dawg crew of producers, which included 7 Aurelius, Chink Santana, Lil' Rob and Jimi Kendrix.{{cite web | last=Howard | first=Jacinta | title=Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Reign: A Look at His Best Beats | website=The Boombox | date=2018-08-22 | url=https://theboombox.com/the-best-irv-gotti-produced-tracks/ | access-date=2025-02-28}}{{cite web | title=Black Music Month Spotlight: 7 Aurelius | website=iHeart | date=2021-05-18 | url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-05-18-black-music-month-spotlight-7-aurelius/ | access-date=2025-02-28}}{{cite web | last=Black | first=Elizabeth | title=Flashback! 'Love And Hip Hop' Star Chink Santana All Booed Up With Ashanti In Her "Don't Let Them" Video | website=VH1 | date=2014-12-16 | url=https://www.vh1.com/news/opq6zc/love-and-hip-hop-star-chink-santana-ashanti-dont-let-them-video | access-date=2025-02-28}}{{cite web | title=Goes Without Said: Chink Santana – THE iStandard Exclusive Interview « iStandardProducers.com | website=istandardproducers.com | date=2012-09-18 | url=http://istandardproducers.com/interviews/goes-without-said-chink-santana-the-istandard-exclusive-interview/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719164801/http://istandardproducers.com/interviews/goes-without-said-chink-santana-the-istandard-exclusive-interview/ | archive-date=2012-07-19 | url-status=usurped | access-date=2025-02-28}}{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Houston | title=Producer Jimi Kendrix Reflects On Irv Gotti’s Lessons: "A Master Class in Music" | website=AllHipHop | date=2025-02-25 | url=https://allhiphop.com/features/producer-jimi-kendrix-reflects-on-irv-gottis-lessons-a-master-class-in-music/ | access-date=2025-03-03}} Gotti's rate for a song at that time was as high as $250,000, ten years after he could command no more than $10,000 to produce a record.{{cite web | title=Irv Gotti Speaks On No Albums Being Certified Platinum In 2014 | website=K97.5 | date=2014-10-21 | url=https://hiphopnc.com/5525005/irv-gotti-speaks-on-no-albums-being-certified-platinum-in-2014/ | access-date=2025-03-03}}

File:Irv Gotti in Houston., June 2004.jpg

After the McGriff legal cases were settled in December 2005, Universal Records offered $10 million in an advance and provisions for Gotti to buy his master recordings. Gotti had considered leaving Universal to start a new label with hedge fund manager Larry Goldfarb for $30 million. Uncertain about the potential return on investment, Goldfarb bailed out of the agreement. Gotti also considered joining Warner Music with Lyor Cohen, but after a low offer from Warner and a counteroffer from Universal record executive Doug Morris, Gotti stayed with Universal. Gotti also dealt with contract disputes related to Lloyd in the same year.{{cite web | last=Leeds | first=Jeff | title=After Legal Woes, Irv Gotti Is Ready to Try Again With Universal | website=The New York Times | date=2006-08-22 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/arts/music/22gott.html | access-date=2025-02-28}}{{Cite web |date=2006-11-28 |title=Irv Gotti Maps Out Inc. Comeback - News Story {{!}} Music, Celebrity, Artist News {{!}} MTV News |website=MTV |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1546650/11272006/gotti_irv.jhtml |access-date=2022-11-06 |archive-date=July 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703230433/https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1546650/11272006/gotti_irv.jhtml |url-status=bot: unknown }} Production for Gotti's first television show Gotti's Way began in 2006.{{cite web | title=VH1 Greenlights Shows With Gotti, Whitestarr | website=Billboard | date=2006-10-30 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/vh1-greenlights-shows-with-gotti-whitestarr-56799/ | access-date=2025-03-10}}

Under The Inc. banner, Gotti moved the label to Universal Motown and signed Vanessa Carlton,{{Cite web |title=Yeah, Irv Gotti Knows Who Vanessa Carlton Is -- He Just Signed Her |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/0tzwpw/yeah-irv-gotti-knows-who-vanessa-carlton-is-he-just-signed-her |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817020049/https://www.mtv.com/news/0tzwpw/yeah-irv-gotti-knows-who-vanessa-carlton-is-he-just-signed-her |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=MTV |language=en}} executive producing with Stephan Jenkins her third album, Heroes & Thieves, which was released in October 2007. Lloyd released the album Street Love the same year and Lessons in Love the following year; both were executive produced by Gotti. Gotti starred in a television reality series produced by VH1 called Gotti's Way from 2007 to 2009. Gotti and the Inc. cut ties with Ashanti in May 2009 and parted ways with Lloyd in September 2009.{{cite web | last=Trapp | first=Malcolm | title=Irv Gotti admits Ashanti wanting to leave Murder Inc. "cut deep" | website=REVOLT | date=2022-08-06 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-08-06/184391/irv-gotti-admits-ashanti-wanting-to-leave-murder-inc-cut-him-deep | access-date=2025-03-03}}{{cite web | last=Reid | first=Shaheem | title=Irv Gotti Says He's Dropping Ashanti From The Inc. | website=mtv.com | date=2009-05-07 | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610905/20090507/ashanti.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509084304/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610905/20090507/ashanti.jhtml | archive-date=2009-05-09 | url-status=dead | access-date=2025-02-19}}{{cite web | last=Ugwu | first=Reggie | title=Lloyd Addresses Irv Gotti Remarks | website=BET | date=2011-10-17 | url=https://www.bet.com/article/nvm4yv/lloyd-addresses-irv-gotti-remarks | access-date=2025-03-03}} After The Inc.'s distribution deal ended in 2009,{{cite web | title=Murder Inc: Where Are They Now? [Outtakes From the June 2011 Issue] | website=XXL Mag | date=2011-06-14 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/murder-inc-where-are-they-now-outtakes-from-the-june-2011-issue/ | access-date=2025-03-03}} the label started to struggle as more artists{{cite web | last=Horowitz | first=Steven J. | title=Irv Gotti, Music Executive Behind Ja Rule and Ashanti and Co-Founder of Murder Inc., Dies at 54 | website=Variety | date=2025-02-06 | url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/irv-gotti-dead-ja-rule-ashanti-producer-music-executive-murder-inc-1236297322/ | access-date=2025-02-21}} and in-house producers left.{{cite web | last=(@GrouchyGreg) | first=Grouchy Greg Watkins | title=Digga & Lil' Rob: Beats, Lies, and Life | website=AllHipHop | date=2005-05-02 | url=https://allhiphop.com/features/digga-lil-rob-beats-lies-and-life/ | access-date=2025-02-28}} Gotti had offered to sign rapper Nicki Minaj but she countered with an offer for him to become her manager which he declined; he later helped inspire her to write the 2010 single "Moment 4 Life".{{cite web | last=Lelinwalla | first=Mark | title=Nicki Minaj Says Irv Gotti Inspired "Moment 4 Life" Track | website=XXL Mag | date=2012-05-24 | url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nicki-minaj-says-irv-gotti-inspired-moment-4-life-track/ | access-date=2025-03-03}}{{cite web | title=Murder Inc. co-founder Irv Gotti turned down the chance to manage Nicki Minaj | website=REVOLT | date=2017-10-03 | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2017-10-03/33149/murder-inc-co-founder-irv-gotti-turned-down-the-chance-to-manage-nicki-minaj | access-date=2025-03-03}}

In 2011, Gotti unsuccessfully campaigned to become the president of Def Jam,{{cite web | title=Irv Gotti Criticizes Def Jam, Says He Wants To Run the Label | website=VIBE.com | date=2011-10-06 | url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/irv-gotti-criticizes-def-jam-says-he-wants-run-label-69267/ | access-date=2025-03-03}} abandoning projects for Shyne and The Diplomats. In 2012, Gotti executive produced Ja Rule's Pain Is Love 2 album. In September 2013, Murder Inc. was relaunched as an umbrella label under Gotti's new label, Visionary.{{Cite web |last=Diep |first=Eric|title=Irv Gotti Resurrects Murder Inc. Records - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/irv-gotti-resurrects-murder-inc-records/ |access-date=2013-09-13 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}

Gotti began production on the BET show Tales in 2016.{{cite web | last=Mitchell | first=Gail | title=BET and Irv Gotti Partner to Tell ‘Tales’: Exclusive | website=Billboard | date=2016-04-19 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/bet-irv-gotti-partner-tales-exclusive-7334257/ | access-date=2025-03-10}} The show premiered in June 2017.{{cite web | last=Lamarre | first=Carl | title=Irv Gotti’s ‘Tales’ Series, Creating Filmed Versions of Story Songs, Headed for BET | website=Billboard | date=2017-05-25 | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/irv-gotti-tales-bet-series-7809369/ | access-date=2025-03-10}} In May 2017, Gotti and 300 Entertainment announced a partnership.{{cite web | last=Fresh | first=Mikey | title=Irv Gotti Says He’s Relaunching Murder Inc. With 300 Entertainment | website=Billboard | date=2017-05-30 | url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/irv-gotti-murder-inc-300-entertainment/ | access-date=2025-02-21}} In 2018, Gotti co-produced "Violent Crimes" and "Brothers" by Kanye West.

In July 2022, Gotti signed a distribution deal with Kevin Liles' 300 Elektra Entertainment.{{cite web | last=Aderoju | first=Darlene | title=Irv Gotti’s Murder, Inc. Signs Distribution Deal With 300 Elektra Entertainment | website=Billboard | date=2022-07-12 | url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/irv-gotti-murder-inc-300-elektra-entertainment-distribution-deal/ | access-date=2025-02-21}} That same month, Gotti sold his fifty percent ownership stake in the master recordings of Murder Inc. to brand management and music rights company Iconoclast for $100 million. Another $200 million as a line of credit was included to produce film and television projects for his company, Visionary Ideas Entertainment. He was in the process of creating a show called Double Threat and turning the TV show Tales into a movie, Tales Presents: We Made it in America, which included a theme song by Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Frank Ocean. Gotti also secured a development deal with Viacom/CBS, which included BET and Showtime at the time.{{cite web | title=Irv Gotti Strikes $300 Million Deal for Murder Inc. Master Recordings | website=BET | date=2022-07-10 | url=https://www.bet.com/article/c4dvxm/irv-gotti-sells-murder-inc-masters | access-date=2025-02-21}}{{cite web | last=Espinoza | first=Joshua | title=Irv Gotti Talks Selling His Masters for $300 Million, Cal... | website=Complex | date=2022-12-08 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxjoshua-espinoza/irv-gotti-on-selling-masters-says-cash-money-greatest-label | access-date=2025-02-21}}{{cite web | title=BET Releases Teaser For Irv Gotti’s ‘The Murder Inc Story’ Documentary | website=BET | date=2022-08-04 | url=https://www.bet.com/article/ixfolj/bet-releases-teaser-for-irv-gotti-the-murder-inc-story-documentary | access-date=2025-02-21}} In August 2022, BET released a five-part documentary which Gotti starred in, titled The Murder Inc Story, detailing the history of the record label, the FBI investigations, and the feuds of the era.{{cite web | title=BET Releases Teaser For Irv Gotti’s ‘The Murder Inc Story’ Documentary | website=BET | date=2022-08-04 | url=https://www.bet.com/article/ixfolj/bet-releases-teaser-for-irv-gotti-the-murder-inc-story-documentary | access-date=2025-02-21}} In August 2024, Gotti announced he was producing a biopic on DMX.{{cite web | last=Inman | first=DeMicia | title=Irv Gotti Confirms DMX Biopic In The Works | website=VIBE.com | date=2024-08-30 | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/irv-gotti-confirms-dmx-biopic-1234915892/ | access-date=2025-03-03}}

On January 3, 2003, federal agents of the DOJ, IRS, and New York Police Department investigators raided the headquarters of Murder Inc., located at One Worldwide Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, after a $65 million check from Universal Music was written.{{cite web | last=Vasishta | first=Jeff | title=Hip Hop Exec Irv Gotti, Dead At 54, Leaves Behind A Real Estate Legacy With His Upscale Californian Property Portfolio | website=Yahoo Finance | date=2025-02-15 | url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hip-hop-exec-irv-gotti-193017919.html | access-date=2025-02-21}} The raid was part of a year-long investigation into the connection between the Lorenzo brothers and American drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. Investigators believed that the Lorenzos used over $1 million in drug money supplied by McGriff to launch Murder Inc. as a way to launder the illegal funds. Investigators also believed the brothers helped McGriff launder drug money through the making of the 2003 film Crime Partners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1459376/murder-inc-offices-raided-by-feds/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622174037/http://www.mtv.com/news/1459376/murder-inc-offices-raided-by-feds/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 22, 2014|title=MURDER INC. OFFICES RAIDED BY FEDS|website=MTV |access-date= May 17, 2022}} Although computers and documents were seized, no charges were immediately filed, and no arrests were immediately made. The probe was handled by prosecutors Carolyn Pokorny, Richard Weber, and Tracy Dayton. A week after the FBI seized bank accounts of companies related to the production and soundtrack of the film Crime Partners 2000 and two weeks later subpoenas for financial documents from Universal were requested.{{cite web | last=Philips | first=Chuck | title=Murder Inc. Paid Kingpin, Sources Say | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2003-05-01 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-01-fi-murder1-story.html | access-date=2025-02-27}} At the time Lorenzo was represented by law firm Kaye Scholer.

Chris and Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo's history with McGriff dated back to around 1995 at Irv's first music video shoot across the street from a Kentucky Fried Chicken McGriff frequented. When McGriff, newly paroled from prison, met Chris and Irv through a mutual friend. McGriff wanted to go into film production and sought help from the Lorenzo brothers to produce and direct a film based on Donald Goines' novel Crime Partners he had read while in jail. The Lorenzos from then on maintained a friendship with McGriff, helping initially finance for $250,000-300,000 then a $500,000 advance on a $1 million soundtrack deal for the dream film project, Crime Partners 2000. The film which credited McGriff as producer and co-writer, was released direct-to-video, and featured appearances by Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, Snoop Dogg, and Ice-T.

On January 25, 2005, the Lorenzos, talent manager Ronald Robinson, and bookkeeper Cynthia Brent{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Michael | last2=Leeds | first2=Jeff | title=Hip-Hop Producer Surrenders in Money-Laundering Case | website=The New York Times | date=2005-01-27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/arts/music/hiphop-producer-surrenders-in-moneylaundering-case.html | access-date=2025-02-28}} surrendered to authorities in New York City and were officially charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. The brothers were released on $1 million bonds after putting up their parent's home to receive the funds. The trial was presided over by judge Edward Korman.{{cite web | last=Feuer | first=Alan | last2=Sweeney | first2=Matthew | title=A Money-Laundering Case Turns to 50 Cent | website=The New York Times | date=2005-11-20 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/20/nyregion/a-moneylaundering-case-turns-to-50-cent.html | access-date=2025-02-28}} A task force was created by the office of Roslynn Mauskopf with Raymond Kelly, Pasquale D'Amuro, Michael J. Thomas, and William G. McMahon.{{cite web | title=Eastern District of New York | website=USDOJ: US Attorney's Office | date=2010-08-10 | url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nye/pr/2005/2005jan26.html | access-date=2025-02-28}} During the trial, Irv was represented by Gerald B. Lefcourt, and Chris was represented by Gerald Shargel, if convicted the brothers and the two Murder Inc staff members each could have faced an unlikely maximum of 20 years in prison.{{cite web | last=Rashbaum | first=William K. | title=Two Sides Trade Barbs as Rap Producers' Trial Closes | website=The New York Times | date=2005-12-01 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/01/nyregion/two-sides-trade-barbs-as-rap-producers-trial-closes.html | access-date=2025-02-28}} On December 2, 2005, the Lorenzos received acquittal from all charges.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gotti-brothers-found-not-guilty-99649/|title=Gotti Brothers Found Not Guilty|magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Alex|last=Mar|date=5 December 2005 |access-date= May 17, 2022}} Legal fees were in excess of $10 million.{{cite web | last=Allah | first=Sha Be | title=Today in Hip-Hop History: Irv And Chris Gotti Beat The Feds 14 Years Ago | website=The Source | date=2019-12-03 | url=https://thesource.com/2019/12/02/today-in-hip-hop-history-irv-and-chris-gotti-beat-the-feds-14-years-ago/ | access-date=2025-02-21}}

In July 2024, a lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade by a Jane Doe plaintiff against Lorenzo, alleging that he sexually assaulted and abused her over a two-year relationship between 2020 and 2022 in Saint Martin, Miami, and Atlanta. The woman alleged they had met at a poker tournament in the summer of 2020.{{cite web | last=DeLuca | first=Alex | title=Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. Records Sued for Alleged Rape in Miami | website=Miami New Times | date=2024-07-16 | url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/irv-gotti-sexual-assault-lawsuit-20778147 | access-date=2025-03-03}}{{cite news|url=https://people.com/music-producer-irv-gotti-sued-on-claims-of-sexual-assault-and-abuse-8678773|title=Murder Inc. Records Cofounder Irv Gotti Sued on Claims of Sexual Assault and Abuse|first1=Sebastian|last1=Bowman|first2=Rachel|last2=DeSantis|publisher=People|date=July 19, 2024|accessdate=February 6, 2025}} The complaint alleged that, during a January 2022 trip to a hotel in Miami, Lorenzo forced her to perform oral sex in an elevator at a Four Seasons hotel, and again in an Uber during a subsequent trip to Atlanta later that year.{{cite web | last=Dillon | first=Nancy | title=Hip-Hop Producer Irv Gotti Sued for Sexual Assault | website=Rolling Stone | date=2024-07-16 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/irv-gotti-hip-hop-producer-sued-for-sexual-assault-1235061319/ | access-date=2025-03-03}}

From 2003 to 2013, Gotti was married to his wife Debra (also known as Debbie). The couple had two sons and a daughter together.{{cite web | last=Mahadevan | first=Tara | title=Debbie Lorenzo Mourns Irv Gotti's Death | website=Complex | date=2025-02-07 | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/irv-gotti-ex-wife-mourns-his-death | access-date=2025-02-19}} Gotti claimed he had romantically dated Ashanti while separated from his wife, which the singer denied, though she did confirm they were casually dating at one point. The two had a tumultuous relationship with communication breaking down in 2009 when Ashanti left The Inc.{{cite web | last=Saad | first=Nardine | title=Ashanti debunks Irv Gotti's 'relationship' claims: 'He never tells the full story' | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2022-10-26 | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-10-26/ashanti-irv-gotti-relationship-murder-inc-documentary-drink-champs | access-date=2025-02-19}}{{cite web | last=Guy | first=Zoe | title=Ashanti ‘Never’ Dated ‘Narcissist’ Irv Gotti | website=Vulture | date=2025-02-06 | url=https://www.vulture.com/2025/02/ashanti-irv-gotti-relationship-response.html | access-date=2025-02-19}}

Gotti had two properties in Encino, California, and had previously owned homes in Sherman Oaks{{cite web | last=Karruli | first=Kelsi | title=Music Producer Irv Gotti Dead at 54: Murder Inc. Founder Leaves Behind Hip-Hop Legacy and Immense Property Portfolio | website=Real Estate News & Insights | date=2025-02-06 | url=https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/music-producer-irv-gotti-dead-murder-inc-founder-property-portfolio/ | access-date=2025-02-21}} and in New Rochelle.

Gotti, who was diabetic, avoided hospitals and doctors for years, and struggled to take insulin and change his diet.{{cite web | last=Bamidele | first=Afouda | title=Record Producer Irv Gotti's Brother Breaks Silence On His Real Cause Of Death | website=Yahoo Entertainment | date=2025-02-24 | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/record-producer-irv-gottis-brother-134533426.html | access-date=2025-02-27}} In early 2024, Gotti suffered a minor stroke, as a result of his diabetes, which caused him to walk with a cane. On February 5, 2025, he died in New York City at the age of 54, from a hemorrhagic stroke he suffered while eating American Chinese food and playing poker with friends in the days leading up to his death.{{Cite web |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=2025-02-06 |title=Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Founder Who Worked With Ashanti and Ja Rule, Dies at 54 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/irv-gotti-murder-inc-founder-dies-1236128314/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Niani |date=2025-02-06 |title=Producer Irv Gotti Suffers Another Stroke, Reportedly 'Not Responsive' |url=https://www.wbls.com/news/producer-irv-gotti-suffers-another-stroke-reportedly-not-responsive/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=WBLS |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Charmaine |last2=McNeil |first2=Liz |title=Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Records Cofounder, Dies at 54 |url=https://people.com/irv-gotti-dead-at-54-music-producer-murder-inc-records-8786792 |access-date=6 February 2025 |publisher=People |date=5 February 2025}}

{{Main|Irv Gotti production discography}}

• 1994
• "Shit's Real" (Mic Geronimo)
• 1998
• "Can I Get A..." (Jay-Z featuring Amil & Ja Rule){{cite web |first=Rob |last=Sheffield |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-98-best-songs-of-1998-pops-weirdest-year-628131/jay-z-feat-amil-and-ja-rule-can-i-get-a-628389/ |title=The 98 Best Songs of 1998: Pop's Weirdest Year |date=June 4, 2018| work=Rolling Stone}}
• "Hot Spot" (Foxy Brown)
• 1999
• "What's My Name" (DMX){{cite AV media notes |title= ... And Then There Was X |year= 1999 |type= booklet |publisher= Ruff Ryders, Def Jam}}
• "Holla Holla" (Ja Rule)
• 2000
• "Come Back in One Piece" (Aaliyah & DMX){{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/aaliyah/232261/album.jhtml |title=Album info: Romeo Must Die |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015191803/http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/aaliyah/232261/album.jhtml |archive-date=October 15, 2002 |url-status=dead |work=MTV}}
• "Between Me and You" (Ja Rule featuring Christina Milian){{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/john-morrison/irv-gotti-songs-ja-rule-ashanti-murda-inc |title=The 25 Best Songs Produced by Irv Gotti |work=Complex}}
• 2001
• "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe featuring Ashanti & Ja Rule)
• "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" (Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule)
• "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" (Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule & Caddillac Tah)
• "I Cry" (Ja Rule){{cite web |title=Produced By: Irv Gotti |url=https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/c1db858c-d004-4ebc-bfe7-eb921f68b8b6 |work=Tidal}}
• "Always on Time" (Ja Rule featuring Ashanti)
• 2002
• "Foolish" (Ashanti)
• "Happy" (Ashanti)
• "Down 4 U" (Irv Gotti featuring Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore){{cite AV media notes |title=Down 4 U |others=Irv Gotti |year=2002 |type=UK CD single liner notes |publisher=Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings |id=063 900-2}}
• "Mesmerize" (Ja Rule featuring Ashanti)
• "Rainy Dayz" (Mary J. Blige featuring Ja Rule)
• "Gangsta Lovin" (Eve featuring Alicia Keys)
• 2003
• "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" (Ashanti)
• "Rain on Me" (Ashanti)
• 2004
• "Breakup 2 Makeup" (Ashanti featuring Black Child)
• "Wonderful" (Ja Rule featuring Ashanti and R. Kelly)
• 2018
• "Violent Crimes" (Kanye West)
• 2019
• "Brothers" (Kanye West featuring Charlie Wilson)

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|1241377}}
• {{discogs artist|Irv Gotti}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gotti, Irv}}

Category:1970 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:20th-century African-American businesspeople

Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople

Category:African-American record producers

Category:American hip-hop record producers

Category:American music industry executives

Category:American people of Filipino descent

Category:Businesspeople from New Rochelle, New York

Category:Def Jam Recordings artists

Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists

Category:Murder Inc. Records artists

Category:Musicians from Queens, New York

Category:Record producers from New York (state)