Irv Gotti, Murder Inc. Records Co-Founder, Dead at 54

Irv Gotti has died at 54 years old, per multiple reports. His cause of death has not yet been reported.

TMZ states that sources close to Gotti's family confirmed his death on Wednesday in New York City.

Def Jam Recordings also confirmed Gotti's death in a statement on social media Thursday night, honoring Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. and sending well wishes to his loved ones.

"Def Jam’s thoughts are with Irv’s family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work," reads a caption under the post. Murder Inc., which Gotti co-founded in 1998, is a subsidiary of Def Jam.

Lyor Cohen, current Global Head of Music at YouTube and Google, called Gotti one of Def Jam’s “most creative soldiers” in a statement shared shortly after news of his death broke.

“Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers,” Cohen said in a statement to Complex. “He was hip-hop, and 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 honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv, you will be missed.”

In September of last year, the Murder Inc. Records co-founder and record producer spoke with The Shade Room about his health, saying he was “getting older, that’s all.” At the time, Gotti was six months removed from having suffered a minor stroke, according to a prior statement to TMZ from his rep.

“Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago,” the rep said in August of that year, adding that Gotti was following a healthier diet and had been “successful in making a full recovery.”

In January, Gotti shared a tribute post to Instagram in remembrance of his late father.

“Happy Birthday, Poppi,” he wrote alongside an image showing the two of them embracing. “Miss you, and I love you.”

Gotti launched Murder Inc. after working as an A&R at Def Jam, where he was instrumental in bringing DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule to the label. At Murder Inc., the record executive played a key role in Ja Rule and Ashanti's careers, helping to craft multi-platinum hits like "Always On Time" and "Foolish."

RIP.