Ashanti. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Ashanti is opening up about her relationship with Murder Inc. cofounder Irv Gotti in the wake of his recent death.
“I can’t believe things ended like this,” Ashanti, 44, said via Instagram on Friday, February 7. “And it makes me so sad…We weren’t on the best terms the past few years but as I’ve always said, through our ups and downs I will forever be grateful for everything that you’ve done for me. We made history and that will remain infinite.”
The R&B singer went on to say that she has “always respected” the Murder Inc. cofounder for his “musical genius and ability to push me to be my best.”
“All the greatness and positive things that came, far outweigh the dark and negative times,” she continued in the emotional post, which featured a photograph of Ashanti, Ja Rule and other members of the infamous record label.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Irv Gotti, cofounder of Murder Inc. Records who worked with artists including Ashanti and Ja Rule, is dead at age 54. Multiple outlets confirmed the news on Wednesday, February 5. The cause of death is not yet known, but hip-hop record executive and manager Wack 100 told TMZ last year that Gotti […]
“I have always prayed for you to find peace,” she added. “Sending love and prayers to your entire family. Rest well. Rest in Peace Irv.”
Irv Gotti, Ashanti. Johnny Nunez/WireImage
In 2022, Gotti infamously claimed he had an alleged romantic and sexual relationship with Ashanti during an appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast. He later doubled down on his comments while appearing on an episode of “The Murder Inc Story,” claiming the pair had sex before the singer recorded her 2002 hit “Happy.”
In 2022, while appearing on the “IRL” podcast, Ashanti set the record straight regarding Gotti’s claims.
“Let’s clear this up,” she told Angie Martinez at the time. “We dealt with each other, but was Irv my boyfriend? Was I his girlfriend? Never. Irv had several girlfriends, so I’m a little confused by the label and the description.”
Ashanti went on to describe the producer as a “narcissist” who made their past relationship “into something big, and it’s really not that.”
Ashanti and Nelly found their way back to each other in 2023 after a series of ups and downs. The twosome sparked romance speculation in early 2003 after connecting at a Grammys event. Although they played coy about their status for years, Ashanti confirmed in March 2015 that they were a couple until 2013. Following […]
“[He’s turned into] a completely different person,” she continued at the time. “Irv has flat-out lied about a lot of things. It’s weird. It’s very weird when you know you’re lying and you just keep lying. That’s where it becomes a little scary and a little mental.
Gotti died at the age of 54, multiple outlets confirmed on Wednesday, February 5. The cause of death has not yet been reported, but hip-hop record executive and manager Wack 100 told TMZ in August 2024 that Gotti had suffered a stroke and was diabetic.
“Irv has been struggling with diabetes for years, which caused him to have a minor stroke over six months ago,” Gotti’s representative told the outlet at the time. “He has since changed his diet to eating more healthy. He’s been successful in making a full recovery. Irv is not in a rehab facility. He is at home with his family, enjoying life.”
