Irv Gotti, the prominent music producer who founded Murder Inc., has died at the age of 54, leaving behind a lasting mark on the hip-hop world and a lavish property portfolio in California.

Irv Gotti, the famed hip-hop music executive from New York City, has died at the age of 54. His three children shared a message on his social media, writing, "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father,

A founder of Murder Inc. Records, he helped launch the careers of Ja Rule and Ashanti and was credited as a producer on 28 records that made the Billboard Hot 100.

Irv Gotti sadly passed away Wednesday night (Feb. 5) after suffering a stroke, and the Hip-Hop community paid its respects to the Murder Inc. visionary.

Hip-hop pioneer Irv Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., died Wednesday evening. He was 54 years old. His cause of death is unknown, but multiple media outlets reported that Gotti was on life support after suffering a stroke.