Irv Gotti, producer who reshaped hip-hop and R&B in the 2000s, dies at 54

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Irv Gotti, the co-founder of music label Murder Inc. and Grammy-winning producer behind some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, has died. He was 54.

Def Jam Recordings, the record label of which Murder Inc. was an imprint, posted a statement on social media Wednesday night saying he “helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers” and “reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B.” The statement did not say how, when or where Mr. Gotti died.

Born Irving Lorenzo in the Queens borough of New York City, Mr. Gotti began his career as DJ Irv, mixing songs in the basement of his family house and spinning records at a public park. He eventually landed a job at TVT Records, where he discovered Ja Rule, before moving to Def Jam, where he worked with Jay-Z and DMX.

Def Jam gave Gotti $3 million to start his own label, Murder Inc., which he co-founded with his brother Christopher. Through the label, he launched and worked with some of the biggest hip-hop and R&B artists of the early 21st century, including Ja Rule, Ashanti, Fat Joe, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys.

“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,” Def Jam said in the statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work.”