Irv Gotti, the hip hop producer and music executive who co-founded the Murder Inc. label and was instrumental in the rise of stars like DMX, Ja Rule and Ashanti, died Wednesday. He was 54. His cause of death has not been made public,

The producer helped shape rap and R&B after founding the label Murder Inc., which launched artists like Ja Rule and Ashanti.

TMZ has reported that hip hop mogul and record producer Irving Lorenzo, better known to the world as Irv Gotti, has reportedly died in New York City after recently suffering a stroke that led to bleeding of the brain.

Irv Gotti, also known as Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., died at 54. He is known for collaborating with musicians like Ja Rule, DMX, and Ashanti and for cofounding his record label, Murder Inc. RELATED STORIES: Music Producer Irv Gotti Has Reportedly Suffered A Stroke,

Music producer Irv Gotti, who worked with stars like Ja Rule, DMX and Ashanti, died Wednesday at the age of 54, according to TMZ. He was 54 years old.