Irv Gotti, who died suddenly at the age of 54 on Wednesday (February 6), has been mourned by figures throughout Hip Hop.
The Murder Inc. founder, who was behind the careers of Ja Rule, DMX and Ashanti, had suffered from diabetes and strokes in recent years, though his cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Ja reacted to the news of Gotti’s untimely passing by posting a broken heart emoji on X (formerly Twitter), while frequent Murder Inc. collaborator Fat Joe wrote on Instagram: “What a Genius, God bless you irv ty for all you’ve done for Hip Hop. You changed my life and i will always love you RIP.”
Longtime nemesis 50 Cent issued the most noteworthy response to Gotti’s death, posting a picture of himself next to a gravestone while smoking a hookah pipe and commenting: “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him LOL.”
💔
— Ja Rule (@jarule) February 6, 2025
Kanye West also reacted to the mogul’s passing by posting a dove emoji on Instagram alongside a news headline reporting his death.
Russell Simmons, with whom Gotti worked at Def Jam in the 1990s, wrote a lengthy tribute on Instagram: “Brothers and Sisters Please dont let Irv Gotti go without acknowledging the tragedy of his death and of black men’s and womens health in America. This talented, beautiful, happy, curious enthusiastic spirit has left his body way too soon im sure God will recieve him with love and freedom.”
Def Jam also released a statement saying: “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.
“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.”
There was also an official tribute from Ruff Ryders, who credited Irv Gotti with bringing the label to Def Jam: “RIP to the Legendary @irvgotti187 Our Brother [heartbreak emoji0 Our Prayers are with his Family.”
Gotti’s death was also felt on the West Coast, with The Game reflecting on his relationship with the famed record executive: “1st time I ever went to a big studio, you came to my baby mamas house n picked me up…. Then I drove there with you & Gutta to edit the Ashanti video & talk about the possibility of signing a deal.
“You told me I was what the West Coast needed but I was better off wit Dre & you was right. Thank you for your contribution to hip hop homie. Fly high. My condolences to @chrisgotti187 & the fam.”
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Jamie Foxx added: “Wow rest in power my brother. Your music and legacy will never be forgotten… Irv you have spread a lot of love and a lot of wisdom to everyone that you met rest up.”
Others to pay tribute to Gotti include legendary producer Pete Rock, famed Hip Hop photographer Jonathan Mannion, Loud Records founder Steve Rifkind and former Slaughterhouse MC KXNG Crooked.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFudZbQRrxM/?hl=en
Jamie Foxx just posted this about Irv Gotti pic.twitter.com/MxTGKVBTXo
— DJ R-Tistic (@DJRTistic) February 6, 2025
RIP Irv Gotti 🙏🏾🕊️ Thanks for believing in me early in my career 💯 I’ll never forget that 💯 Condolences to your family 🙏🏾🕊️ pic.twitter.com/eTrRYPj4aG
— Crook 🏴🏳️🏴 (@CrookedIntriago) February 6, 2025
50 showing no class. Damn. I know you had beef and it was serious as well but still. Irv is dead, that means irs over.
The man was involved with the men who tried to kill 50 Cent and had him blackballed, I’d say that 50 Cent’s reaction is justified.
Big F to 50, Em, and Jay! Stop overhyped those frauds not real legends! Big ups to DMX and appreciate Ja Rule while he’s here and other NYC legends, Rev Run, DMC, Fab, Jim Jones, Santana, Jadakiss, Nas, and others the young ones too Fivio and Kay Flock too
50 trolling. Respectfully, Irv couldn’t order Supreme to do anything. I’m sure he knew about it but that was Supreme trying to secure his bag.
Fif is a legend regardless of he era he came, if his name came out of all of their mouths he was noticed and if you knew your rap/hip hop history Nas brought fifty out in the late 90s he was on IN TOO DEEP movie soundtrack… Him and IRV GOTTI beef goes way beyond rap lol
Fif is a legend regardless of he era he came, if his name came out of all of their mouths he was noticed and if you knew your rap/hip hop history Nas brought fifty out in the late 90s he was on IN TOO DEEP movie soundtrack… Him and IRV GOTTI beef goes way beyond rap lol
R.I.P IRV GOTTI