Irv Gotti, the music producer best known for co-founding the Murder Inc. record label that helped launch the careers of rapper Ja Rule and singer Ashanti, has died at age 54. Def Jam Recordings, the parent label of Murder Inc., first confirmed Gotti's death in a post on Instagram Wednesday night.

Ashanti addressed record producer Irv Gotti's death with an Instagram post on Feb. 7. The record producer, who worked with Ashanti in the early 2000s, died on Feb. 5.

Irv Gotti, the famed music producer, industry executive, and TV producer, has died at the age of 54. Def Jam Recordings, the parent label of Gotti’s Murder Inc. company, confirmed his death, though did not state a cause.

Music industry mourns the loss of Irv Gotti, the visionary behind Murder Inc. Records and architect of numerous hip-hop and R&B hits.

Irv Gotti, the US music producer who created hits for Ja Rule, Ashanti, DMX and Jennifer Lopez, has died at the age of 54. Best known as the founder of the record label Murder Inc., his signature style of blending hip-hop beats with smooth R&B melodies shaped the sound of the charts in the late 90s and early 2000s.