Irv Gotti, the famed hip-hop music executive from New York City, has died at the age of 54. Def Jam Recordings shared a message on social media late Wednesday night confirming his death, saying the label is "deeply saddened.

Before launching Murder Inc. in New York City in 1998, Gotti worked as an A&R at Def Jam, where he helped bring DMX, Jay-Z and Ja Rule to the label. Under the moniker DJ Irv, he produced the song “Can I Live” from Jay-Z’s 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt.

Today (Feb. 6), his three children Angie, Sonny, and JJ (Jonathan), have broken their silence in a heartfelt joint statement shared on their father’s Instagram account. Sharing a nostalgic photo of a young Gotti playing with a DJ board, they reflected on his “incredible” impact on both their lives and the industry.