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.

Irv Gotti, the music executive, songwriter and producer behind the reign of hip-hop and R&B stars Ja Rule and Ashanti in the early 2000s, has died. Gotti, the music mogul who co-founded Murder Inc. Records, was 54.

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.