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,

Irving Lorenzo Jr.—known to the music world by his professional name, Irv Gotti—has died. Through his work, first for Def Jam Records, and then as the co-founder (with his brother Chris) of Murder Inc.

Irv Gotti, who founded Murder Inc. Records and produced albums for Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX, has died. He was 54. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news on February 5. Def Jam Recordings also confirmed Gotti’s death,