The rap world loses yet another legend. On Wednesday, Def Jam issued a statement confirming that Murder Inc. Records founder Irv Gotti had passed away at the age of 54.

While Def Jam did not disclose a cause of death, Gotti had suffered a stroke early last year, and he had dealt with complications of diabetes in the past.

“Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees, are deeply saddened at the loss of Irv Gotti,” reads Def Jam’s statement. “His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder, Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B. His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who were touched by his work.”

Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., Gotti used sharp musical and business instincts to cultivate a legacy of creativity and artist development. While he’s most known for introducing the world to Ja Rule and Ashanti, that’s only a part of his legacy. Notably, he produced JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubtclassic, “Can I Live” he also cultivated a young DMX. As a Def Jam music exec, he helped push the label to its highest commercial heights in the late ’90s and early 2000s. At its peak, Murder Inc. was one of the most successful Black record labels in the industry.