Ja Rule Gives Emotional Tribute to Irv Gotti at Private Funeral
Ja Rule couldn’t hold back his emotions as he honored his longtime friend and business partner, Irv Gotti, during a private funeral service in New York.
On Wednesday (February 19), close friends, family, and music industry peers, including JAY-Z, gathered to say their final goodbyes to the Murder Inc. co-founder. With a heavy heart, Ja Rule took the stage and delivered a heartfelt tribute.
“Irv, I love you,” he said, his voice breaking. “Everyone in this room loves you. You touched everybody in your own way. I know everybody has their moments with you. We’re all here in celebration of your life because it will live on forever. I love you, my brother. See you when I get there.”
The intimate service was a change from the family’s original plan to hold a large public funeral at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Queens. Instead, they opted for a private gathering first, with a public procession to follow.
Irv Gotti, whose real name was Irving Lorenzo, passed away on February 5, shortly after reports surfaced that he had suffered a second stroke. His contributions to hip-hop, however, will never be forgotten.
As the mastermind behind Murder Inc., Gotti helped launch the careers of Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lloyd, producing some of the biggest hits of the early 2000s, including Always on Time, What’s Luv?, and I’m Real (Murder Remix). His production credits extended beyond the label, shaping songs for JAY-Z (Can I Live) and DMX (What’s My Name), among many others.
Despite facing legal battles, including a high-profile money laundering case in 2005, Gotti remained a respected and influential figure in the industry.
His passing marks the end of an era, but as Ja Rule said, his legacy will live on forever.