Irv Gotti’s older brother Chris Lorenzo says it was a ‘mᴀssive hemorrhagic stroke’ that tragically killed the music mogul who founded Murder Inc. Records at 54 earlier this month. 

Lorenzo told the 2Way podcast February 20 that his brother had been consuming Chinese food prior to suffering the catastrophic medical event.

‘He’s 54 – I believe he was diagnosed in his late 40s,’ Lorenzo said Thursday. ‘But Irv doesn’t go to the doctor so that’s why he’s so late being diagnosed.

‘And when he finally did go get a real physical and a check-up, they were like, “You’re diabetic,” and he didn’t believe it.’

Lorenzo appeared on the podcast, тιтled Remembering Irv Gotti Lorenzo: Fighting Diabetes and Stroke Awareness, with Gotti confidante Damon Dash, 53, and host Mark Halperin, 60. 

Def Jam Recordings, which was the parent company of Murder Inc., announced Gotti’s death in a statement late February 6. 

Irv Gotti’s older brother Chris Lorenzo says it was a ‘mᴀssive hemorrhagic stroke’ that killed the music mogul who founded Murder Inc. Records at 54 earlier this month. Pictured 2022 

Gotti, whose real name was Irving Lorenzo, created the iconic hip-hop and R&B imprint with his brother in the late 1990s. Pictured 2017 in Florida 

Gotti, whose real name was Irving Lorenzo, created the iconic hip-hop and R&B imprint with his brother in the late 1990s, with the label gaining worldwide prominence through platinum-selling artists Ashanti and Ja Rule. 

Gotti also worked with some of rap´s most legendary artists like Jay-Z, Nas and DMX, among other huge names in the genre.

Read More 50 Cent blasted for brutally trolling Irv Gotti after music producer died aged 54 amid longtime feud

‘His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,’ the statement from Def Jam read.

Murder Inc.’s blazing run in the early 2000s produced some of music´s biggest crossover records, usually involving his two biggest stars, like Ja Rule and Ashanti´s Always On Time, I’m Real by Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule,  Foolish by Ashanti and What´s Luv by Fat Joe featuring Ja Rule and Ashanti.

Gotti also produced Can I Get A…  by Jay-Z, Amil and Ja Rule, and DMX´s We Don´t Give A (expletive) with Jadakiss and Sheek Louch. Gotti earned a Grammy in 2004 for best R&B song for Ashanti´s Rock Wit U (Awww Baby). 

The label, which got its name after Gotti watched a documentary on the original Murder, Inc. crew of mob hitmen, once came under investigation for allegedly laundering drug money for a notorious crack kingpin, leading to criminal charges against Gotti. He was eventually acquitted.

The bad press around the investigation led to Gotti dropping the word ‘Murder’ from the тιтle of the label to change its name to The Inc.

‘All of these big records, and people would still come back and focus on the negative word `murder,” he said when he announced the change.

Lorenzo appeared on the podcast, тιтled Remembering Irv Gotti Lorenzo: Fighting Diabetes and Stroke Awareness, with Gotti confidante Damon Dash, 53, and host Mark Halperin, 60 

Gotti also worked with some of rap’s most legendary artists like Jay-Z, Nas and DMX, among other huge names in the genre. Pictured 2022 in Newark, N.J. 

Gotti, pictured in LA in 2017, was skeptical of a diabetes diagnosis he received 

Still, Gotti never changed the nickname he shared with the late Gambino family boss John Gotti, which he said was given to him by Jay-Z.

‘I ain´t going to change it,’ he said of his name.

Along with his hitmaking and music prowess, Gotti was known for his involvement in one of hip-hop´s most notorious beefs between 50 Cent and Ja Rule. 

The long-standing feud began more than 25 years ago and resulted in dis records and at least one physical confrontation. It was never resolved.

In more recent years, Gotti drew criticism from music fans for speaking about an alleged relationship with Ashanti in interviews, a claim that she has denied.

Lyor Cohen, a former Def Jam executive who is now global head of music at YouTube and Google, said ‘Def Jam has lost one of it´s most creative soldiers.’

‘He was hip hop, and when we were on bended knee he brought the heat and saved our ᴀsses. He comes from a very тιԍнт, beautiful family from Queens and it´s an honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv you will be missed,’ Cohen said in a statement.