Yahoo Lifestyle What Did Irv Gotti Die From? What We Know About the Music Executive's Cause of Death
Famed music producer Irv Gotti, founder of Murder Inc. Records and the man who who put the likes of Ja Rule and Ashanti on the map, has died at the age of 54.
The news was confirmed on Wednesday, Feb. 5, when Def Jam Recordings, the original parent label for Murder Inc. at the time of the latter's launch in 1998, released a statement on Instagram.
"Def Jam Recordings and the extended def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti," it read.
"His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder, Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B. 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 did not include information on Gotti's cause of death. However, here's what we know about his health, including his battle with diabetes and past stroke.
What was Irv Gotti's cause of death?
Gotti's cause of death is not public information at this time. Def Jam Recordings released a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 5, that did not reveal what Gotti died from or when his death transpired.
Did Irv Gotti die from a stroke?
While Gotti's cause of death has not been confirmed, reports started circulating on Tuesday, Feb. 4, that he was on life support after suffering a diabetes-related stroke. He previously had a stroke last spring due to complications from the disease.
In an Instagram post ahead of Def Jam's announcement, Russell Simmons, who described Gotti as a "very good friend" and "incredibly energetic [and] optimistic," recalled recently talking to the music executive about his health and expressing his "concern."
Simmons further stated that he encouraged Gotti to visit his Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort in Ubud, Bali, to "undergo tests and begin natural and medical treatments," presumably for diabetes.
"I promised him that if he came, I would guareentee [sic] that he add 20 years to his life," Simmons wrote. "He never got to come. This is all so disturbing … so many of my friends are at risk."
Was Irv Gotti sick?
Gotti suffered from diabetes, which reportedly caused him to have a stroke last spring. It's unconfirmed at this time whether his death was related to his illness.
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