Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo is the mastermind behind Murder Inc Records. Home to JaRule and Ashanti, Murder Inc had sold over 30 million units worldwide and grossed over $500 million during its heyday. This included historic releases from Ashanti that allowed her to break records previously held by The Beatles. The Long Island songstress became a megastar in the TRL era and rivaled the likes of Beyonce and Britney Spears. Irv Gotti was very hands-on in Ashanti’s success and personally invested because, for a time, she was his girl. Irv initially only hinted at his affair with the “Foolish” singer, but over the years, he’s opened up more and more. Recently, he’s blown the lid wide open on their union. Even revealing that their intimate relationship was tied to one of her biggest songs, ‘Happy.’
Irv has been busy drumming up hype for his B.E.T. documentary, where he reveals all. The Murder Inc Story, a 5-part documentary, will premiere on B.E.T. on August 9th, and Irv is heavy on the promo trail for it. Including stops at several major radio stations and internet shows. Irv Gotti held nothing back while guesting on N.O.R.E.’s Drink Champs. While there, Irv revealed that he was in love with Ashanti and was deeply hurt when he found out she was dating “Country Grammar” rapper Nelly. Ashanti and Nelly dated from 2003 to 2012 and largely kept their relationship private. Unfortunately for Irv, they went public at a basketball game while he watched live on television from his home, mortified. “God wanted me to find out,” he proclaimed, as he said the couple entered the sporting arena while he was watching basketball and caused so much commotion the announcers had to acknowledge them over the broadcast.
Irv and Ashanti are not known to be on good terms right now. He expressed some real unhappiness about her rerecording her debut album for rerelease as an NFT. Irv reportedly did not make any money on the remastered album and blasted Ashanti in several interviews. It is possible he is now out for war because it seems his biggest focus has been exposing their relationship to the public.
In the Drink Champs interview, Irv reveals how he wrote “Happy” following a night of intercourse with Ashanti. He spilled the tea after being asked if their relationship hurt their business. “It helped her,” Irv proclaims. “We just finished sleeping together, or whatever; I’m taking a shower. I’m in the shower, you know, a [man] be creative after [intimacy], I think of the whole track in the shower.”
Fat Joe has a pretty close relationship with the Murder Inc crew, as they scored a massive hit together with “What’s Luv?” He is not here for how Irv is exposing Ashanti and thinks the whole situation is unnecessary. In an I.G. rant, he told both Irv and Ja that they needed to leave Ashanti alone. “Irv Gotti [is] a sucker, man. He’s a sucker. Y’all can @ Irv Gotti, Ja, whatever theyou want. Whatever Irv has with Ashanti is 20 years old, right.” He goes on to say that Irv may feel justified, but he’s dead wrong.
Fat Joe is weighing in on the can of worms opened by Irv Gotti’s recent Drink Champs podcast interview, and the Bronx rapper is taking issue with Irv spilling tea on his alleged two-decade old fling with Ashanti.
— lovelyti (@lovelyti) August 9, 2022
Thoughts???#FatJoe #Ashanti #IrvGotti #Lovelytitv pic.twitter.com/Q3n5ZCoy6q
Judge Mathis chimed in as well. While talking with T.M.Z. in New York City, the television judge told Ashanti that she should send Irv Gotti a cease and desist or even take him to court for defamation of character if she feels these story are harming her or her career. Meanwhile, Ashanti has largely remained quiet about it all and, in a move that is probably going to infuriate Irv Gotti more, was actually recently reunited with the man who took her away from him. That’s right, Ashanti hit the stage with Nelly at a show where they showed up some clear chemistry which performing together. Nelly also seemingly referenced Irv’s Drink Champs interview, proclaiming, “I got floor seats to the next game” as he danced around with Ashanti.
Do you think Ashanti is within her right to sue? Or is Irv justified in telling his side of the story?
