Irv Gotti, the CEO of Murder Inc. Records and a music producer, has come under scrutiny for his association with R&B artist Ashanti. On August 23, Gotti (52) revealed how his friendship with the artist started almost two decades ago. Gotti disclosed in the third episode of The Murder Inc. Story docuseries:
“I’m divorced from (my ex-wife) Deb. I’m all alone. And Ashanti visits the studio on a daily basis, so our connection and bond are organically strengthening.”
He went on to explain that the singer would show up to the studio in “juicy sweatpants,” and that he once assured her that he would take her home:
“So one day I said, ‘Hey, I’ll take you home.'” ‘Bet, cool,’ she said. We’re making our way to her crib’s front entrance. She turns to say goodbye, and I just kiss her and grab her a** and mwah. “What took you so long?” I wondered.
The event, which apparently occurred approximately 20 years ago, has put Irv Gotti in deep water and garnered him tremendous blowback, with some even accusing him of predatory behavior.
Gotti and Ashanti allegedly started dating in the early 2000s, while the former was still married to Debbie Lorenzo. Lorenzo discussed her husband’s “connection” with Ashanti in a 2019 edition of Growing Up Hip Hop: New York, describing it as a significant cause of their ultimate divorce. During the program, Gotti’s ex-wife revealed that he cheated on her many times while he was away from home. They were married for almost a decade until apparently splitting up in 2013.
What information is available regarding Irv Gotti’s ex-wife, Debbie Lorenzo?
In the early 2000s, Irv Gotti married famed hat designer Debbie Lorenzo and has three children with her: Angie, Sonny, and Jonathan “JJ” Wilson Gotti. Lorenzo is also a businesswoman, having started Frances Grey’s millinery immediately after her divorce from Gotti. Following her divorce from Gotti, the Queens native of Jamaican origin earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She also attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she was enrolled in the millinery program, which provided her with the knowledge needed for this profession.
Debbie Lorenzo spotted Irv Gotti cheating when he was filming I Cry in Baltimore, according to Irv Gotti’s confession on The Wendy Williams Show. He remembered Lorenzo going up to his hotel room and seeing him cheating on her. Gotti had this to say regarding the incident:
“The door was locked, but she knew I was there. That’s what caused me and Deb to split up.”
Internet users respond to Irv Gotti’s remarks regarding his connection with Ashanti.
Following his disclosure on the docuseries The Murder Inc. Story, many tweets highlighted the ten-year age difference between Ashanti (now 41) and Gotti (now 52). Netizens quickly pointed out that when they first met roughly two decades ago, Ashanti would have been 19 or 20, while Gotti would have been in his 30s. Gotti’s pursuit of Ashanti was heavily criticized at the time. A few tweets also suggested that since Gotti was well established and Ashanti was in the early stages of her career, the up-and-coming musician may have felt compelled to give in to Gotti’s overtures, fearing that refusing would reflect negatively on her career.
What else did Irv Gotti have to say about his short romance with Ashanti?
During an interview on the Drink Champs podcast, Gotti informed co-host Noreaga aka N.O.R.E. that Ashanti’s sexual contacts with him had aided her career. He also shared how he created his famous song, Happy:
“I’m taking a shower since we just finished sleeping together, or whatever.” I’m in the shower because a n***a has to be creative after [s*x]… I’ll give you the short version; the whole narrative may be found in the Murder Inc documentary… In the shower, I think about the whole album.”
It remains to be seen if Ashanti will address her fans’ current worries about the age difference and the beginning of her short romance with Irv Gotti in the past.
Honestly I want 50 cent to bully Irv Gotti again …
— tell yo daddy to call me . (@aprettydai) August 24, 2022
There needs to be a hefty conversation about Irv Gotti because in no way should any man be talking about someone the way he’s talking about Ashanti, ESPECIALLY when she made it clear she wants no part.
— ✨Dee✨ (@DestiniKristal) August 24, 2022
