Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. (born June 26, 1970), professionally known as Irv Gotti, is an American DJ, music producer, record executive, and the CEO and co-founder of Murder Inc. Records. He is best known for producing multiple number-one records for Ashanti, Ja Rule, and

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...

, as well as his collaborations with

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...

DMX Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper and actor. He began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album ''It's Dark and Hell Is Hot'' in 1998, to both critical acclaim ...

, and Kanye West. Gotti is also the creator of the BET series ''

Tales Tales may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Tales'' (album), a 1995 album by Marcus Miller * ''Tales'' (film), a 2014 Iranian film * ''Tales'' (TV series), an American television series * ''Tales'' (video game), a 2016 point-and-click adventure ...

''.

Early life

Irv Gotti was born in the

Hollis Hollis may refer to: *Hollis (singer) *Hollis (name) Places * Hollis, Alaska * Hollis, Kansas * Hollis, Maine * Hollis, Missouri * Hollis, New Hampshire * Hollis, Oklahoma * Hollis, Queens, neighborhood in New York **Hollis (LIRR station), its Lon ...

neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City.

Career

After helping

Def Jam Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop. The ...

with the success of

and

Russell Simmons Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. Simmons' ...

gave Irv Gotti his own label under Def Jam. While watching '' Biography'' on A&E during gangster week, a Murder, Inc. logo appeared on the screen and Irv Gotti decided to use the name for his label because Murder, Inc. put out hits for murder and Irv wanted to put out hit records. Irv, Ja Rule and the label of Murder Inc. were all involved in a well-publicized feud with G-Unit Records, Aftermath Records and Shady Records over history between 50 Cent and Ja Rule. After this Murder Inc. would change their name to ''The Inc.'' after a 2003 investigation, including a raid on the Manhattan offices of Murder, Inc., resulted in charges of money laundering being brought against Gotti and his brother Christopher in connection with alleged financial transactions associated with New York City

drug A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via insuffla ...

kingpin Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. On December 2, 2005, a jury acquitted the brothers of all charges. The label would change their name to appeal better to the public. Under The Inc. banner, Irv would move the label to Universal Motown and sign Vanessa Carlton. Gotti co-produced Vanessa Carlton's third album, ''Heroes and Thieves'', which was released October 9, 2007, with Channel 7, Rick Rubin and Stephan Jenkins. In an interview with Angie Martinez in early May 2009, Gotti stated that his label, Murder Inc., was leaving Universal Records. In September 2013, Murder Inc. was relaunched as an umbrella label under Irv Gotti's new label, Visionary.

Legal Issues

On Friday, January 3, 2003, federal agents and

New York Police Department The New York City Police Department (NYPD), officially the City of New York Police Department, established on May 23, 1845, is the primary municipal law enforcement agency within the City of New York, the largest and one of the oldest in ...

investigators raided the headquarters of Murder Inc. Records, located at One Worldwide Plaza in

Midtown Manhattan Midtown Manhattan is the central portion of the New York City borough of Manhattan and serves as the city's primary central business district. Midtown is home to some of the city's most prominent buildings, including the Empire State Buildin ...

. The raid was a part of a yearlong investigation into the connection between The Lorenzo brothers and American drug lord

Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff (born September 19, 1960) is an American convicted former drug lord and gangster from New York City. Background McGriff rose to prominence in early 1981 when he formed his own crack cocaine distributing and manufacturi ...

. Investigators believed that the Lorenzos launched Murder Inc. Records using money bankrolled by McGriff to launder McGriff’s drug money, as well as help McGriff launder drug money through the making of the 2003 film ''Crime Partners''. Although computers and documents were seized, no charges were immediately filed, and no arrests were immediately made. The raid was dramatized in the music video for Ja Rule’s ''Murder Reigns''. Chris and Irv Gotti’s history with McGriff dates back to 1994, when McGriff, newly paroled from prison, met Chris and Irv on the set of a music video in Queens, New York. McGriff wanted to go into cinematography and sought help from Chris and Irv Gotti to produce and direct a film based on

Donald Goines Donald Goines (pseudonym: Al C. Clark; December 15, 1936 – October 21, 1974) was an African-American writer of urban fiction. His novels were deeply influenced by the work of Iceberg Slim. Early life and family Goines was born in Detroit, Mich ...

’ Kenyatta series’ novel Crime Partners. The Lorenzos since then maintained a friendship with McGriff, having him appear in the music video for Ja Rule’s 1999 single “Murda 4 Life” and helped financed McGriff’s dream project, ''Crime Partners'', around 2000. On January 25, 2005, Chris and Irv Gotti surrendered to authorities in New York City and were officially charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. During the trial, Irv Gotti was represented by Gerald B. Lefcourt, and Chris Gotti was represented by Gerald Shargel. In December 2005, Chris and Irv Gotti were found not guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money.

Discography

Singles produced

* 1994 ** "

Shit's Real "Shit's Real", also known by its censored title "It's Real", is the first single released by rapper Mic Geronimo. It appears on his debut studio album ''The Natural'' (1995). Background and composition Produced by a then-unknown Irv Gotti (then k ...

" ( Mic Geronimo) * 1996 ** "

Can I Live Can I Live may refer to: *" Can I Live?", a 2001 song by Sisqó from the album ''Return of Dragon'' *" Can I Live", a 1996 song by Jay-Z from the album '' Reasonable Doubt'' *"Can I Live", a 2005 song by Nick Cannon *"Can I Live", a 2000 song by Bl ...

" (

) * 1998 ** " Can I Get A..." (

featuring

Amil Amil Kahala Whitehead (born September 19, 1973) is an American former rapper and singer. She was prominent in the late 1990s as a Jay-Z protégé, and recorded the single " Can I Get A..." with him for the ''Rush Hour'' soundtrack. Amil's deb ...

& Ja Rule) ** "

Hot Spot Hotspot, Hot Spot or Hot spot may refer to: Places * Hot Spot, Kentucky, a community in the United States Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities * Hot Spot (comics), a name for the DC Comics character Isaiah Crockett * Hot Spot (Tra ...

" ( Foxy Brown) * 1999 ** "

What's My Name What's My Name? or What's My Name may refer to: * "What's My Name" (China Anne McClain, Thomas Doherty and Dylan Playfair song) * "What's My Name?" (Rihanna song) * "What's My Name?" (Snoop Doggy Dogg song) * "What's My Name?" (DMX song) * "Wh ...

" (

) ** " Holla Holla" ( Ja Rule) * 2000 ** "

Come Back in One Piece "Come Back in One Piece" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah, featuring a guest appearance by American rapper DMX, for the soundtrack to the 2000 film ''Romeo Must Die''. It was written by DMX, Stephen Garrett, Irv Gotti, Rob Meys, G ...

" (

Aaliyah Aaliyah Dana Haughton (; January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer and actress. She has been credited for helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and " ...

) ** " Between Me and You" ( Ja Rule featuring

Christina Milian Christine Marie Flores (born September 26, 1981), better known as Christina Milian (), is an American actress and singer. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, but raised in Maryland, she signed a contract with Murder Inc. Records at the age of 19. ...

) * 2001 ** "

What's Luv? "What's Luv?" is a song by American rapper Fat Joe, released through Atlantic Records and Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productions as the second single from his fourth studio album, ''Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)'' (2001). The song features addi ...

" (

Fat Joe Joseph Antonio Cartagena (born August 19, 1970), better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper from New York City. He began his music career as a member of hip hop group Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), then forged a sol ...

featuring Ashanti & Ja Rule) ** "

I'm Real (Murder Remix) "I'm Real" is the name of two songs recorded by American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, both primarily for her second studio album ''J.Lo'' (2001). The original song was released as the album's fourth single; Ja Rule of Murder Inc. Records w ...

" (

featuring Ja Rule) ** " Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" (

featuring Ja Rule & Caddillac Tah) ** " I Cry" ( Ja Rule) ** " Always on Time" ( Ja Rule featuring Ashanti) * 2002 ** " Foolish" ( Ashanti) ** "

Happy Happiness, in the context of mental or emotional states, is positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Other forms include life satisfaction, well-being, subjective well-being, flourishing and eudaimonia. Sinc ...

" ( Ashanti) ** "

Down 4 U "Down 4 U" is the lead single from Murder Inc. Records' compilation album '' Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.'', released through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. The song features rapped verses from Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, ...

" (Irv Gotti featuring Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore) ** "

Mesmerize Mesmerize may refer to: * "Mesmerize" (song), a 2003 single by Ja Rule * ''Mesmerize'' (video game), a 2007 interactive art game See also * Mesmerization, also known as hypnosis * Mesmerism Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, was a ...

" ( Ja Rule featuring Ashanti) ** " Gangsta Lovin" (

Eve (rapper) Eve Jihan Cooper ( Jeffers; born November 10, 1978), known mononymously as Eve, is an American rapper, singer, and actress. In 1999, she released her debut album, '' Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady'', which reached number one on the ...

featuring Alicia Keys) * 2004 ** "

Breakup 2 Makeup "Breakup 2 Makeup (Remix)" is a song by American singer Ashanti, released as the first single from her first remix album '' Collectables by Ashanti''. It features her labelmate Black Child. It reached number 76 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip ...

" ( Ashanti featuring Black Child) ** " Wonderful" (Ja Rule featuring Ashanti and

R. Kelly Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and sex offender convicted of racketeering and multiple sex offenses. During his recording career, Kelly sold over 75 million records worldwid ...

) * 2005 ** "Infatuated" ( Memphis Bleek) * 2008 ** "Nice" (

The Game The Game or The Games may refer to: Sports and games * The Game (dice game) (German: ''Das Spiel''), a dice game designed by Reinhold Wittig * The Game (mind game), a mind game, the objective of which is to avoid thinking about The Game itself * ...

) featuring Newz * 2018 ** " Violent Crimes" ( Kanye West) * 2019 ** " Brothers" (Kanye West featuring Charlie Wilson)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gotti, Irv 1970 births American hip hop record producers African-American record producers Def Jam Recordings artists Grammy Award winners Living people Murder Inc. Records artists Businesspeople from New Rochelle, New York East Coast hip hop musicians American music industry executives Musicians from Queens, New York Record producers from New York (state) 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people