Ja Rule became emotional while delivering a eulogy at Irv Gotti’s funeral, struggling to get through his speech as he honored his longtime friend.
The rapper, 48, choked up while addressing mourners, including hip-hop’s elite, at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York.
RELATED STORIES
A video shared on X captured the moment as Ja Rule’s voice shook while paying tribute to the late Murder Inc. co-founder.
“Irv, I love you. Everyone in this room loves you. You touched everybody in your own ways, and I know everybody has their moments of that with him,” Ja Rule said while looking above.
Holding back tears, he concluded, “We’re all here in celebration of your life because it will live on forever. I love you, my brother. See you when I get there.”
Hip-hop stars including Jay-Z, Ashanti, Fat Joe, the Ruff Ryders, and Angie Martinez attended Gotti’s funeral, showing support as Ja Rule delivered an emotional eulogy.
Jay-Z, fresh off a major legal victory, sat in the front row. Photos from the service revealed a tribute to Gotti’s influential music career, making the somber gathering a star-studded farewell, the New York Post reported.
The music mogul passed away on February 5 at age 54 after reportedly suffering a second stroke within a year.
Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google, said in a statement to The Post, “Def Jam has lost one of its most creative soldiers. He was hip-hop, and when we were on bended knee he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight, beautiful family from Queens and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv you will be missed.”
READ ALSO: What we know about Shaq’s TNT deal that will pay him $15 million per year
Gotti had been battling health issues after being diagnosed with diabetes, admitting in 2024 that the disease was “deteriorating my body.” In August 2024, his rep confirmed he suffered a “minor stroke” after leaked photos showed him using a cane.
Gotti, a pioneering figure in hip-hop, co-founded Murder Inc. Records in 1998, signing major artists like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lloyd.
He produced several iconic ’90s and early 2000s hits, including DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), Ja Rule’s Between Me and You (2000), and Ashanti’s Foolish (2002).
Following his passing, Ashanti expressed regret over their unresolved fallout, which led to her departure from the label in 2009.
“I can’t believe things ended like this….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,” the singer said in part.
