Irv Gotti, the music executive, songwriter and producer behind the reign of hip-hop and R&B stars Ja Rule and Ashanti in the early 2000s, has died. Gotti, the music mogul who co-founded Murder Inc. Records, was 54.

Irv Gotti, the producer and music industry mogul who launched the careers of Ja Rule and Ashanti, has died at the age of 54, according to the Hollywood Reporter and sources close to the situation. A cause of death has not been confirmed,

Irv Gotti, a respected music producer, entrepreneur, and record executive, has died at the age of 54. Although his cause of death has yet to be revealed, the music mogul reportedly suffered through multiple strokes in recent years while dealing with diabetes-related issues.