Rumors are circulating on social media about the health of hip-hop mogul Irv Gotti in the wake of unconfirmed reports.

What Has Irv Gotti Said About His Health?

Gotti has previously spoken about his struggles with diabetes. “It’s rampant with Black people. What it does is, it starts deteriorating your body,” he said on the Drink Champs podcast in August 2023.

When asked if his condition was under control, he responded, “No,” adding: “I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes forever. It’s hereditary.”

“When my [blood sugar] gets too high, shot [of insulin]. It’s reversible, but you gotta change the way you eat,” the record producer continued.

He also described the challenges of following a proper diet. “You know what’s f***** up with diabetes? So anything that you’re gonna like or tastes good, horrible for you … You’re supposed to eat some leaves or some s*** like that.”

A representative for Gotti confirmed in 2024 that he had suffered a stroke, telling TMZ, “Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago. He has since changed his diet to eating more healthy. He’s been successful in making a full recovery. Irv is not in a rehab facility. He is at home with his family, enjoying life.”

On Wednesday February 5, Rapper 50 Cent took to Instagram to comment on unconfirmed rumors about Gotti’s health.

In response to the rumors, 50 Cent wrote, “Damn I wanted him to see my new shows yo!”

50 Cent took to social media on Wednesday to reference Irv Gotti’s rumored health issues. 50 Cent took to social media on Wednesday to reference Irv Gotti’s rumored health issues. 50 Cent/Instagram

50 Cent and Irv Gotti have had a long-running feud that dates back to the early 2000s, tied to conflicts within the rap industry that involved Murder Inc. and Ja Rule, who was one of the biggest artists under Gotti’s record label.

Over the years, their rivalry has included diss tracks, and public insults.

Fans quickly reacted to 50 Cent’s post, with some calling it insensitive. “The fact people are laughing at this is disturbing,” one user commented.

Irv Gotti at the premieres of We TV’s “Growing Up Hip Hop: New York” and “Untold Stories of Hip Hop” at the Paley Center in New York on August 19, 2019. Irv Gotti at the premieres of We TV’s “Growing Up Hip Hop: New York” and “Untold Stories of Hip Hop” at the Paley Center in New York on August 19, 2019. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Who Is Irv Gotti?

Gotti, born Irving Lorenzo, is best known as a co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, a major force in early 2000s hip-hop.

He started his career as a DJ, spinning records in local clubs before making his way into music production.

His growing influence in the hip-hop industry led to a position at Def Jam Recordings, where he played a key role in signing DMX and Ja Rule, both of whom became major stars in the late ’90s.

With Gotti’s ear for talent and ability to craft hit records, Def Jam allowed him to launch his own label, which would become Murder Inc. Records.

The label helped launch the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti and Lloyd, among others.

When Was Murder Inc. Founded?

Gotti founded Murder Inc. Records in 1999 under the umbrella of Def Jam Recordings, after proving himself as a key producer and A&R figure in the music industry.

His early work with Jay-Z, DMX and Ja Rule helped him secure a deal to launch his own label, which would become one of the defining hip-hop and R&B labels of the early 2000s.

However, the label’s success was overshadowed by legal troubles. In 2003, federal investigators raided Murder Inc.’s offices as part of an investigation into money laundering allegations related to New York drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.

Gotti and his brother, Chris Lorenzo, were charged with laundering more than $1 million in drug proceeds through their control of the label.

Prosecutors alleged that McGriff used Murder Inc. to launder drug money, financing the film Crime Partners and other business ventures with illicit funds.

Ashanti’s ‘Manipulation’ Accusations Against Irv Gotti

In August 2022, Gotti was a guest on the Drink Champs podcast, where he discussed a sexual relationship he allegedly had with the singer when he was still married.

Ashanti later responded in an interview with the Angie Martinez podcast, saying: “Let’s clear this up. We’re not gonna say ‘relationship.’ We dealt with each other, but was Irv my boyfriend? Was I his girlfriend? Never.”

“Irv had several girlfriends, so I’m a little confused by the thought, you know what I’m saying, and the label and the description,” the singer continued.

Elsewhere on the podcast, Ashanti said, “I definitely feel like manipulation played a heavy part into me and Irv’s situation.”