At the turn of the millennium, Irv Gotti – who died Wednesday at age 54 – helped bring a new class of hip-hop and R&B acts to fame as the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records. Also known as The Inc. Recordings,

Irv Gotti, the famed hip-hop music executive from New York City, has died at the age of 54. His three children shared a message on his social media, writing, "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father,

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.