Ja Rule Mourns ‘Brother’ Irv Gotti with Tearful Tribute
Hip-hop and R&B royalty gathered in New York on Wednesday (Feb. 19) to bid a final farewell to Murder Inc. Records co-founder Irv Gotti.
The industry powerhouse behind some of the genre’s most iconic hits, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., passed away on Feb. 5 at the age of 54, reportedly after suffering a minor stroke.
Held at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, the service saw a heartfelt tribute from Ja Rule, one of Gotti’s closest friends and longtime collaborators. Fighting back tears, the rapper spoke of their unbreakable bond. “Irv is my brother,” he declared. “It's the biggest honor you can give someone who is not your blood brother is to say they're your brother. We started this journey together a long time ago. The man changed my life.”
The “Holla Holla” hitmaker made it clear that while the moment was heavy with grief, it was also a time to celebrate Gotti’s legacy. “I just wanna say, Irv, I love you. Everyone in this room loves you. You touched everybody in your own way,” he continued. “I know everybody has their moments of that with him. So, we are all here in celebration of your life. Because it will live on forever. I love you, my brother. See you when I get there.”
The room was filled with familiar faces—artists whose careers flourished under Gotti’s guidance. Former Murder Inc. stars Ashanti, Lloyd, Charli Baltimore, and Vita were in attendance, along with industry giants like Jay-Z, Fat Joe, Steve Stoute, Hype Williams, Benny Boom, and Angie Martinez. Members of the Ruff Ryders camp also came to pay their respects.
Following the service, Gotti’s casket was taken on a final ride through his old Queens neighborhood, past his childhood home and a nearby park—one last journey through the streets that helped shape the visionary producer.
