Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Founder and Hip-Hop Mogul, Dead at 54: Rap Community, 50 Cent React
With Irv Gotti passing away at 54, many stars and even Def Jam Records took a moment to honor the producer.
Since the 1980s, Irv Gotti showcased a love for music that eventually blossomed into a career. Jumping forward to the late 1990s, the record producer helped start Murder Inc. Records. Throughout his time in the studio, Gotti worked with stars like DMX, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, and numerous others. Sadly, on February 5th, news broke that Gotti passed away from complications from several strokes. With Gotti passing away at 54, many stars within the rap industry took a moment to remember him.
The famed Def Jam Records also took to Instagram to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Gotti. “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.”
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A post shared by Def Jam Recordings (@defjam)
Understanding the creativity lost when Gotti passed, Def Jam Records added, “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.”
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Among the other tributes was Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud Records. Nurturing a friendship with Gotti over the years, he wrote, “I met Irv in 1993 when he had Mic Geronimo signed to him before they made the deal with TVT. We always laughed and said what would have happened if IRV went to Loud we did not do the deal because we could not get the sample cleared and we did not have the money to pay for the sample. We always stayed in touch and was really proud on all the success that he had.”
While the majority of the hip-hop community mourned Gotti’s passing, 50 Cent took what could be perceived as a jab against his long-time rival. The rapper posted a picture of himself smoking next to a prop headstone reading RIP. He captioned the post, “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him. Lol.” The rapper posted a second picture that featured Gotti.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)