Irv Gotti’s Legendary Backstory Explored on Colby Colb’s Podcast

February 6, 2025

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Irv Gotti’s Legendary Backstory Explored on Colby Colb’s Podcast

Irv Gotti, visionary producer and founder of Murder Inc. Records, passed away at 54. Known for discovering talents like Ashanti and Ja Rule, his Grammy-winning work shaped hip-hop and R&B. A trailblazer, he leaves behind a profound legacy of iconic hits, innovative production, and groundbreaking contributions to the music industry. Backstory with Colby Colb presented an insightful conversation with Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr, a music visionary whose influence on hip-hop is undeniable. From spinning records as a Queens DJ to shaping some of the most pivotal careers in the industry, Gotti shares the remarkable saga of his rise and resilience.

Listeners are taken back to Gotti’s early days, where his love for music sparked a career behind the turntables. But his talent went far beyond DJing. His knack for spotting raw talent led him to discover hip-hop giants Jay-Z and DMX, playing a key role in their paths to superstardom by connecting them with Def Jam Records. This move not only marked his entrance into the big leagues of music but also solidified his reputation as a tastemaker in a burgeoning genre.

Gotti didn’t stop there. He ventured into label ownership, launching Murder Inc. Records. Under his guidance, the label became a powerhouse in early 2000s hip-hop and R&B, dominating the charts with megahits with the aforementioned Ja Rule and Ashanti. Murder Inc.’s success reflected Gotti’s ability to craft both culturally resonant music and memorable chart-toppers, earning him a place among industry greats.

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I first met Irv Gotti when he was promoting his first group Cash Money Clique in the early 90’s. He was DJ Irv, a young mogul from Queens with big dreams to be the next Russel Simmons during the early days of Hip Hop. He started as a teen DJ doing block parties in Queens which led to producing. At 17 he and an unknown Jay-Z go to London for a month to work on Jaz-O debut album. He produced several artists which led to an A&R job at Def Jam where he brokered the Jay-Z Roc-A-Fella deal and signed DMX even though everyone didn’t believe in the vision he saw for DMX even famously quitting over not being allowed to sign him..

He was making 60K a year with no equity while generating hundred of millions for the label. This led to Murder Inc production deal and one of the artists that was apart of Cash Money Clique group JaRule getting an opportunity to jump on the very popular Rush Hour movie series soundtrack single with Jay-Z “Can I Get A” which put Ja on the map and helped launch the Murder Inc family of artists. Irv was a super creative, he saw things others would never see, he was passionate and complicated but very loyal. Sad to see him gone.

– Colby Colb

The podcast also touches on Gotti’s evolution beyond music. As a producer of both records and films, his storytelling skills transcend mediums, showcasing his versatility and commitment to creative expression. Whether it’s through beats or big screens, Gotti’s impact continues to resonate.