Ashanti addressed record producer Irv Gotti's death with an Instagram post on Feb. 7. The record producer, who worked with Ashanti in the early 2000s, died on Feb. 5.

Irv Gotti, the music producer best known for co-founding the Murder Inc. record label that helped launch the careers of rapper Ja Rule and singer Ashanti, has died at age 54. Def Jam Recordings, the parent label of Murder Inc., first confirmed Gotti's death in a post on Instagram Wednesday night.

Irv Gotti, the famed music producer, industry executive, and TV producer, has died at the age of 54. Def Jam Recordings, the parent label of Gotti’s Murder Inc. company, confirmed his death, though did not state a cause.

I can’t believe things ended like this….and it makes me so sad,” Ashanti said, paying her respects to the late