Gotti reportedly suffered from heart-related issues and strokes over the years before he died in February 2025.

Before launching Murder Inc. in New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as an A&R at Def Jam, where he helped bring DMX, Jay-Z and Ja Rule to the label. Under the moniker DJ Irv, he produced the song “Can I Live” from Jay-Z’s 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt.

Irv Gotti, a respected music producer, entrepreneur, and record executive, has died at the age of 54. Although his cause of death has yet to be revealed, the music mogul reportedly suffered through multiple strokes in recent years while dealing with diabetes-related issues.