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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.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • disc jockey
  • television producer
  • record executive
  • songwriter
Years active 1988–present
Labels
  • Top Dawg Productions
  • Murder Inc.

Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. (born June 26, 1970), professionally known as Irv Gotti (or DJ Irv), is an American DJ, music producer and record executive. 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, Lloyd, and Ashanti—as well as other artists such as Jennifer Lopez, DMX, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Fat Joe, 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 Gotti, Def Jam signed Ruff Ryders artist DMX. DMX's first studio album, It's Dark and Hell is Hot was released on May 12, 1998 and was co-executive produced by Irv Gotti. The album debuted and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top 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, Russell 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 Gotti co-produced all of Ja Rule's 1999 debut album, Venni Vetti Vecci, as well as his 2000 second studio album, Rule 3:36. Irv co-produced Rule 3:36's singles Put It On Me and 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

Main article: Irv Gotti production discography
Irv Gotti in Houston., June 2004
Irv Gotti in 2004

Singles produced

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