Ja Rule, Jay-Z, and other loved ones pay their respects to the late mogul at Irv Gotti’s funeral in Queens

In the 1990s, Gotti notably introduced DMX and both artists to Def Jam Records.

Many of Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo’s family members, friends, and business acquaintances attended the funeral service for the creator of Murder Inc. on Wednesday, February 19, expressing their sorrow over his untimely death.

Ja Rule, Gotti’s artist and close friend, is shown visibly recalling the entrepreneur who brought him, DMX, and JAY-Z to Def Jam Records, thereby salvaging the label in the mid-to-late 1990s, in a post posted by TNT. Sitting in the first row of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral Church in Jamaica, Queens, where the funeral was held, Hov was also present to pay his respects.

“All I want to say is that Irv, you are loved by everyone in this room. Everyone was impacted by you in a different manner. With tears in his eyes, the “Put It On Me” rapper said, “Everyone had their moment with that, with him.” We are present at your life’s celebration because it will endure forever.

“My brother, you are loved.” Before leaving the pulpit, Rule said, “See you when I get there.” Ashanti, Lloyd, Charli Baltimore, Vita, Fat Joe, Steve Stoute, Hype Williams, Benny Boom, and Angie Martinez were among the other attendees. Watch the video below.

The funeral was originally set for Tuesday, February 18, but Gotti’s family decided to postpone it until today, February 19, and have it be a private event for his loved ones. A date and location for the public parade honoring the music mogul have not yet been disclosed.

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Gotti passed away. Gotti apparently had a second stroke after one in August that allegedly resulted in a brain bleed, though the official cause of death has not yet been disclosed.