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Irv Gotti
IrvGottiFeb05.jpg
Gotti in 2005
Background information
Birth name Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr.
Also known as
  • DJ Irv
  • Gotti
Born (1970-06-26) June 26, 1970 (age 54)
Queens, New York City, U.S.
Died Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • disc jockey
  • songwriter
  • record executive
  • television producer
Years active 1988–present
Labels
  • Top Dawg Productions
  • Def Jam
  • Murder Inc.

Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. (born June 26, 1970), professionally known as Irv Gotti (or DJ Irv), is an American record producer. He co-founded the record label Murder Inc. Records in 1998, which was an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. He received production credits for most of the recordings by artists signed to the label—including Ja Rule (Between Me and You, Mesmerize, Thug Lovin', 6 Feet Underground, Livin' It Up, Down ... ..., Always on Time), Lloyd, The Inc. (Down 4 U) and Ashanti (Foolish)—as well as other artists such as Jennifer Lopez, DMX, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Fat Joe (What's Luv), Memphis Bleek, and Eve, among others. Gotti is also the creator of the BET series Tales.

Early life

Irv Gotti was born in the Hollis neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City.

Career

Irv Gotti, under the moniker DJ Irv, produced the song "Can I Live" on Jay-Z's June 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt.

In 1997, through Irv, Def Jam signed Ruff Ryders artist DMX. Irv, as executive producer, oversaw DMX's first studio album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot, released on May 12, 1998. The album debuted and peaked the Billboard 200 and sold over 250,000 copies in its first week. The album went on to sell four million copies in America, being certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, and sold five million copies worldwide.

After helping Def Jam with the success of DMX and Jay-Z, Lyor Cohen gave Irv 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 decided to use the name for his label because Murder, Inc. put out hits for murder and Irv wanted to put out hit records.

The first album released under Murder Inc. was Ja Rule's debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci, released in June 1999. All of the album was co-produced by Irv, who oversaw the development of the album as executive producer. Org also produced Ja's second studio album, Rule 3:36. Irv co-produced Rule 3:36's singles ''Between Me And You.

In 2002, Irv Gotti released Irv Gotti Presents The Inc, featuring much of Murder Inc.'s roster. Irv co-produced all of the album, including the album's hit single Down 4 U.

Irv, Ja Rule, and the label 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.

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.

Discography

Irv Gotti in Houston., June 2004
Irv Gotti in 2004

Singles produced

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