Irv Gotti's team is clearing the air about the hip-hop mogul's health scare earlier this year after rumors recently surfaced that he had suffered a stroke..
“Irv has been battling diabetes for years, which led to a mild stroke over six months ago,” a spokesperson for the Murder Inc. and Visionary Ideas co-founder said in a statement to TMZ on Thursday. The rep, who was referring to rampant rumors that Gotti was using a walker while in a rehab facility,, He also said he has since changed his diet and has been successful in “fully recovering.”
“Irv is not in a rehab facility. He is at home with his family, enjoying life,” the spokesman said.
Representatives for Gotti and Visionary Ideas did not immediately respond to The Times' requests for comment Thursday.
The record producer, whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, also gave a statement to Shade Room, saying he has been enjoying the company of his two children and dogs and is focusing on his upcoming biopic about the late rapper DMX, who was long signed to Gottis' record label.
“I’m just getting older, that’s all,” Gotti said. “The only thing worse than getting older is not getting older.”
Earlier this week, rumors surfaced that Gotti had suffered a stroke and was using a cane to help him get around. Talent manager Wack 100, who made the claims Monday on his podcast, said he had received footage from a rehab employee of Gotti in recovery, claiming that Gotti was using a walker and “lost a lot of weight” during his health struggle, which he was allegedly keeping “a secret.”
Gotti shared some details about his medical issues last year when he appeared on the popular podcast “Drink Champs.” Gotti, who also spoke during the episode about his upbringing in Queens, a hip-hop feud and the demise of his label following a federal investigation, said his body was deteriorating due to diabetes and that he had not been taking insulin consistently or changing his diet, as doctors suggested.
Last month, the executive was sued in Florida by a woman who accused him of sexual assault and rape. The woman claimed to have been in a relationship with him between 2020 and 2022. Gotti has denied the allegations and his lawyer said he will likely fight the “baseless claim” with a countersuit.
