Following the news of Irv Gotti’s death, the hip-hop community mourned the loss of the Murder Inc. Records co-founder.
During his career as a record executive and producer, Gotti worked with countless artists including Ashanti, DMX, and Jay-Z. He had a huge impact on hip-hop in the ’90s and early ’00s, and the reach of his influence was immediately evident as tributes to him poured in following his death. Ja Rule, who was among the many artists closely associated with Gotti, led the tributes by sharing a heart-broken emoji on X, formerly Twitter.
On Instagram, he added, “Love you.”
Fat Joe also worked with Gotti throughout his career and shared a photo of him alongside a tribute. “What a genius, God bless you Irv ty for all you’ve done for hip hop,” he wrote on Instagram. “You changed my life and I will always love you RIP.”
The Game shared the same picture alongside a story of how Gotti drove him to one of his first major studio sessions.
“1st time I ever went to a big studio, you came to my baby mamas house n picked me up,” he wrote. “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.”
In an emotional post shared via Gotti’s Instagram page, his children Angie, Sonny, and JJ paid tribute to their dad.
“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 post reads. “As we navigate this difficult time, we kindly ask for privacy while we grieve the loss of our dad, son, brother,uncle, and friend. We take comfort in knowing that his spirit will live on through his music and the love he shared with all of us.”
Embattled Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, who worked with Gotti at the company for years, mourned the executive and producer in a lengthy post that veers into conspiracy theory.
Ruff Ryders, the record label and management company that caught Gotti’s attention when he was a Def Jam A&R executive thanks to DMX, shared a tribute on its official Instagram account.
“In 1997, through Def Jam A&R executive Irv Gotti, Def Jam signed Ruff Ryders artist DMX,” the post reads. “Following DMX’s signing to Def Jam, Ruff Ryders was launched as a record label, though they would not get a label deal until a year later. DMX’s first studio album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot was released on May 12, 1998 and was the first release from Ruff Ryders as a record label.”
Empire Distribution president Tina Davis, who was the first woman to lead A&R at Def Jam, described Gotti as a “creative genius.”
View news Source: https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/irv-gotti-tributes
