Irv Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, died on Wednesday (February 5) after suffering a second stroke. Just 54, the longtime music executive was robbed of the chance to truly grow old, a theme far too common these days, especially in Hip-Hop.

Shortly after his death was confirmed, Public Enemy’s Chuck D tweeted, “One day Hip-Hop will honor longevity and long life. The last century altered this BLACK strength of currency no matter what was poisoned our way. This short life respect was dripped into our culture. It’s wack. We may have been broke but never been so broken. scattered..shattered. Black History Month Salutes y’all. Damn the 28— it’s alive 365. Dig it.”

One day HIPHOP will honor longevity and long life. The last century altered this BLACK strength of currency no matter what was poisoned our way. This short life respect was dripped into our culture. Its wack. We may have been broke but never been so broken. scattered..shattered.…

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) February 7, 2025

It’s a sentiment shared by many who have witnessed the ongoing epidemic impacting the community—people are dying far too young. We should be living into our 80s, even 90s, but we are seeing a shocking number of people barely making it into their 60s.

DJ Clark Kent, 58
Biz Markie, 57
Jimmy Spicer, 61
Bushwick Bill, 52
MCA, 47
Kangol Kid, 55
Craig Mack, 47
MF DOOM, 49
Fatman Scoop, 56
Irv Gotti, 54
Gift of Gab, 50

These are just a handful of Hip-Hop artists who’ve lost their lives to cancer, diabetes, strokes or heart attacks. As more and more continue to lose their lives, it seems to be a more urgent problem. Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons, who adopted a wellness practice years ago, issued a PSA in the wake of Gotti’s death, specifically aimed at the Black population.

“Brothers and sisters, please don’t let Irv Gotti go without acknowledging the tragedy of his death and of black men’s and women’s health in America,” he began in an Instagram post. “This talented, beautiful, happy, curious enthusiastic spirit has left his body way too soon. I am sure God will receive him with love to the black men and women of America who are left here to face this health crisis.”

Food, Simmons says, is the biggest culprit.

“The epidemic of chronic diseases and illnesses are a result of Americas allowing food industry to poison you. You’re buying into the bad diets they sell and the normalized lack of self care. Again, they are poisoning you and you are dying much faster than your white counterparts Thankfully there is a wave amongst you. You are three times more likely to be vegan than your white counterparts .

“You are much more likely to use natural remedies than the rest of America. You are waking up. but not fast enough. Those of you who are taking directions from great nutritionists like Dr Sebi , you’re walking away from this group of chronic sicknesses. Help your brothers and sisters to take the same route that you are on. Rest in peace Irv you’re such a beautiful soul but gone too soon.”

 










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A post shared by Russell Simmons/Gdas (@unclerush)

We are losing Hip-Hop legends at a staggering rate. And while some of them are due to gun violence, many are a direct result of living an unhealthy lifestyle or suffering from some kind of disease. And who is paying for their health insurance? Not the record labels. Jimmy Spicer, for example, was diagnosed with advanced brain and lung cancer in 2018. Despite putting up a valiant fight, his condition took a drastic turn in August 2019 and he wound up passing away a month later.

Because he didn’t have a health plan or a 401K, the “Dollar Bill Y’all” rapper, who was among Simmons’ first artists at Rush Management, couldn’t afford the medical care he desperately needed. Consequently, his daughter Janel resorted to a GoFundMe to help pay for his medical costs. Over the years, his music was sampled by numerous Hip-Hop greats, including Wu-Tang Clan, Montell Jordan and De La Soul, yet he died never really seeing the fruits of his labor.

“I’m not making music right now,” he told me in 2018. “I was working as a porter, regular job just to support my family and now I can’t even do that. I applied for Social Security Disability and I don’t know if that’s gonna be accepted or rejected.”

It’s a common problem for artists. On Sunday (February 2), pop star Chappell Roan called out major labels during her Best New Artist acceptance speech, igniting a firestorm of debates.

“I told myself if I ever won a Grammy, and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry, profiting millions of dollars off of artists, would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists,” she said. “It was so devastating to feel so committed to my art and to feel so betrayed by the system and to be so dehumanized to not have healthcare.

“If my label would have prioritized artists’ health, I could have been provided care by a company I was giving everything to. Labels, we got you. But do you got us?”

A former Atlantic Records executive challenged Roan in an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter shortly after, writing, ” If labels are responsible for artists’ wages, health care and overall well-being, where does it end and personal responsibility begin?” Roan fired back with, ““@jeffrabhan wanna match me $25K to donate to struggling dropped artists? My publicist is @biz3publicity let’s talk.”

It’s a sensitive topic. But in the interim, we can’t keep losing our legends at such young ages; we need to eat better, exercise, put down the drugs and alcohol and stop poisoning our bodies. I’ve been sober since 2006—not a drip of alcohol has gone into my body for nearly 20 years. I don’t smoke, do drugs or eat animals. I also started running a year ago and it’s been a transformative experience–not just physically but mentally. I’m staying on top of my doctor’s appointments, getting all the necessary tests, bloodwork and trying to drink more water (which is tough—just ask my bladder). I want to age gracefully. Most importantly, I want to live.

But this isn’t about me. It’s about our legends. It’s about people we care about and love. Let Gotti’s death serve a greater purpose.