Irv Gotti with his three kids Angie, JJ and Sonny at the 2019 BET Awards. Photo:
Irv Gotti/ Instagram
Irv Gotti‘s legacy will live on through his children.
The music producer and co-founder of Murder Inc. Records welcomed three kids — Angie, Sonny and JJ — with his ex-wife Debbie Lorenzo before he died at 54 years old on Feb. 5.
The following day, his children shared the news of his death in an Instagram post, writing, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Irving ‘Irv Gotti’ Lorenzo, on February 5, 2025.”
“Our dad was an incredible man, a true visionary who transformed the hip-hop industry and changed the game for artists and fans alike,” the post continued. “His passion for music and dedication to his craft inspired many, and his contributions will continue to influence future generations.”
They added, “We take comfort in knowing that his spirit will live on through his music and the love he shared with all of us.”
Irv Gotti smiles with his three kids Angie, JJ and Sonny in June 2023 in St. Tropez, France. Irv Gotti/ Instagram
Irv always encouraged his kids to live life to the fullest — a message he emphasized in a June 2023 Instagram post featuring a photo from a family dinner in Monaco.
“I love this so much. Because I always say to my kids. Everyone is born. And we all gonna die. It’s inevitable. So in between. WE LIVE!!!!” Irv wrote. “WE LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!! So when my kids was like Dad. Let’s go to France for my birthday week. I loved it. Cause we are LIVING!!!!!”
Here’s everything to know about Irv Gotti’s three children: Angie, Sonny and JJ.
Irv Gotti and his daughter Angie attend the premieres of ‘Growing Up Hip Hop: New York and ‘Untold Stories of Hip Hop’ on Aug. 19, 2019, in New York City. Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Irv welcomed his first child, daughter Angie, on Jan. 26, 1992.
In June 2020, Angie penned a sweet Father’s Day tribute on Instagram to Irv and wrote that he was “The GOAT!”
“The Boys And I Couldn’t Have Been Blessed With A Better Dad Then You!” she wrote. “I Can’t Tell You Enough How Much I Truly Appreciate Everything You’ve Done And Continue To Do For Me! I Love You Dad!”
In 2019, Irv, Angie and JJ starred in Growing Up Hip Hop: New York, a reality show that follows the children of hip-hop legends navigating life outside of their parents’ work. Although her life was broadcast on TV, Angie opened up to The Ashley’s Reality Roundup in September 2019 about not feeling like she was pushed to be in the industry.
“We weren’t really raised in the spotlight, so there was never like, that pressure that we have to fill our dad’s shoes,” she said.
In addition to appearing on Growing Up Hip Hop: New York with her dad and brother, Angie has built a career for herself after graduating from The Art Institute of New York City.
“I’ve been working since I was 17, so when somebody says that I have a safety net [in my father], that gets me really mad because it’s like they’re diminishing my success and accomplishments,” she told the New York Post in August 2019.
Angie now collaborates with her mom to run Frances Grey, a business specializing in luxury custom hats.
As for her romantic life, Angie announced on Instagram in November 2024 that she was engaged to her “best friend,” whom she met as a teenager at church.
“Saying ‘yes’ to you was one of the simplest and happiest moments of my life,” she wrote. “I can’t wait to see what our future holds as we transition from fiancé to husband and wife, and eventually to parents.”
Irv Gotti with his mother and his son Sonny. Irv Gotti/ Instagram
After welcoming their daughter, Irv and Debbie had their first son, Sonny, in the mid 1990s.
In June 2015, Sonny penned a heartfelt birthday post for his father on Instagram and wrote that he was “the best dad a son could ask for.”
“The biggest influence in my life. Everyday i’m with you, you teach my bros and I so much very valuable life lessons to make sure we grow, prosper and are self-sufficient,” he wrote. “And I respect and love you for that unconditional love! I look up to you so much!”
The following year, Sonny shared another sweet message to his dad on Instagram, this time for Father’s Day, thanking Irv for “the inspirational life lessons” and showing him “how to be a man.”
“Happy Father’s Day to my idol. The realest guy I know,” he wrote. “Learn more and more from you everyday living out here with you in LA. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world than by your side. Love you pops.”
Unlike his siblings, Sonny did not appear in Growing Up Hip Hop: New York, opting to live mostly out of the public eye.
Irv Gotti smiles with his son JJ in 2020. Irv Gotti/ Instagram
Jonathan “JJ” Wilson Lorenzo was born on April 9, 1999.
It was JJ’s idea for his father and sister to appear on Growing Up Hip Hop: New York.
“My friend hit me up and told me, ‘Yo, bro, we are going to be on Growing Up Hip Hop: New York and I said, ‘I want to do it too,’ ” JJ, who was 20 at the time, told the New York Post. “That’s when I went to my dad and said it would be dope if we were all on it together.”
Irv originally planned to only star in four episodes but stuck it out for his children and ended up in 10.
“If I left I would be taking away opportunities from my kids,” he told the outlet.
For JJ — who dreams of being a director — it was the beginning of many other opportunities in the entertainment business.
“I’m a producer on [the BET series] ‘Tails,’ ” he said. “I also came up with this TV series idea which I wrote and created myself called ‘Melting Pot,’ about hip-hop in high schools and how it brings cultures together.”
The day after Irv’s death, JJ wrote on Instagram that he was “so grateful that god picked me to be [his] son.”
“All I ever wanted in life was to be like you and to make you proud,” JJ wrote. “You are Superman and you always will be!!!!”
