Irv Gotti's funeral brings together hip-hop's biggest names

Murder Inc artists attended the funeral service of Irv Gotti, the late music executive and record producer, at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Church in Gotti’s home borough of Queens. The funeral was held privately on February 19, 2025 by the hip-hop magnate’s family.

Among those in attendance were the who’s who of hip-hop and R&B, including Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Ashanti, Lloyd, Vita, and Charli Baltimore, reported TMZ. Also present were What’s Luv hit maker Fat Joe and music executive and UnitedMasters’s CEO, Steve Stoute. Benny Boom, the director of All Eyes on Me, which is a chronicle of the famed hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur, was also seen at the funeral.

The untimely death of Irv Gotti at the age of 54 was announced on Instagram by Gotti’s family. Gotti succumbed to a stroke on February 5. On the producer’s verified Instagram account, his children penned a tribute that said:

“Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched. Our dad was an incredible man, a true visionary who transformed the hip-hop industry and changed the game for artists and fans alike. His passion for music and dedication to his craft inspired many, and his contributions will continue to influence future generations.”

The news of Gotti’s death took his fans and the music industry by surprise, and tributes poured in. A fan, acknowledging Gotti’s contributions to the hip-hop industry, commented on the Instagram post announcing his death:

“I will forever respect what Irv did for DMX, my favourite artist of all time. Plus the Ja Rule and Ashanti duets were a bop!!!!!! Vita, Charlie Baltimore… so many amazing talents that you had a hand in. God bless you, Irv. May you be united with your Poppi now and rest peacefully until you rise again”

Irv Gotti’s music career

Irv Gotti was instrumental in launching the music careers of many great artists like Jay-Z, Ashanti and Ja Rule through his label, Murder Inc.

The visionary executive founded the label Murder Inc. in 1998 with his brother and collaborator, Chris Gotti. Crediting the music legend with defining "1990s hip-hop,” BBC described the origin of the name Murder Inc, stating :

They [the Gotti brothers] chose the name Murder Inc after watching a documentary about the 20th-century New York organised crime group of the same name — reckoning that they could put out hit records in the same way their crime syndicate had put out hits for murder.

The BBC report explained that the moniker ‘Gotti’ was used by Irv, whose birth name was Irving Domingo Lorenzo, in a nod to the infamous crime boss John Gotti.

The first release of Murder Inc. was the hit album Venni Vetti Vecci by Ja Rule in 1999. According to MSN, the album was instrumental in defining the careers of both Ja Rule and Gotti. Murder Inc. and Gotti went on to produce a string of well-received singles. Ashanti’s Foolish remained at the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 for 10 weeks.

The label also produced Jennifer Lopez’s remix of Ain’t it Funny, which featured Ja Rule and Caddillac Tah, and maintained its spot at No.1 for 6 weeks. The original Jennifer Lopez track was entirely revamped and produced as an original single by Gotti in a move that guaranteed its success, according to Stereogum Magazine.

The music icon’s funeral was initially scheduled for February 18, which was cancelled for a private service, according to an announcement by Irv Gotti’s family on Instagram. The Gotti family confirmed that there would be a procession for the public to participate in and pay their respects to the giant of hip-hop.