Irv Gotti sounds off on Lloyd, regrets working with Nas during Jay-Z feud
Irv Gotti Talks Lloyd and Nas in Candid Interview
Irv Gotti isn’t known for holding back, and in his latest appearance on MTV’s RapFix Live with Sway Calloway, the former Murder Inc. CEO lets it all out. From his soured relationship with R&B singer Lloyd to regrets about siding with Nas during the Nas vs. Jay-Z feud, Gotti has no shortage of things to say. His candor provides a rare behind-the-scenes look into some of hip-hop’s most defining moments and fractured partnerships.
Irv appeared alongside Method Man during the episode. However, Gotti ensured he took the spotlight for himself. First, there were his statements about Lloyd. After that, he provided insight into how he and Jay-Z fixed their relationship. He shared the whole story with Sway.
No Love Lost: Irv Gotti’s Fallout with Lloyd
Two years ago, the tension between Irv Gotti and Lloyd made headlines when Lloyd publicly announced his departure from Murder Inc. Records. While Irv initially denied the split, it was clear the artist-producer relationship was crumbling. Now, Gotti is making it known that any bridge between the two is permanently burned.
“Lloyd, I have no love for,” Gotti says bluntly. “Because here’s a person that I helped out. The minute he left, I let you go. You wanted to leave, I let you go. And you gon’ say, ‘Well Gotti did this and Gotti did that.’”
Irv Gotti points to Lloyd’s success under his watch as proof of his contributions. “You went platinum with Gotti. You went gold with Gotti. What you doing now with Interscope? What’d you sell, like 15 units?” he scoffs.
The resentment is real. Gotti doesn’t sugarcoat his feelings and even goes as far as saying he wouldn’t blink if something happened to Lloyd. “He could walk past me, he get hit by a car. I’d be like, ‘Oh word? He got hit by a car? Yo BJ, let’s go get something to eat.’”
His harsh words aren’t just about numbers. Gotti says he expected a level of respect or at least professionalism, and he feels Lloyd broke that unspoken code. “I’m not saying to pay homage to me. But don’t sh*t on me. I let you go!”
Ashanti Gets a Pass
In contrast to his scathing words for Lloyd, Gotti speaks with more restraint about Ashanti. While their working relationship has had its ups and downs, he doesn’t hold her in the same contempt. “Ashanti is cool,” he says. “Ashanti is one thing. Me and her had our little thing and it is what it is.”
Their separation may have been messy, but time seems to have cooled the tension. Ja Rule’s single “Judas” and his decision to collaborate with Ashley Joi instead of Ashanti on “Body” hinted at internal conflicts. Still, according to Gotti, there’s no lingering animosity.
Regret Over the Nas and Jay-Z Feud
One of the most shocking admissions during Gotti’s RapFix interview came when he addressed his past involvement with Nas during the height of the infamous Jay-Z vs. Nas beef. At the time, Gotti and Jay-Z were close, with Gotti even serving as a quasi-insider at Roc-A-Fella Records. Despite their bond, Gotti ended up working with Nas.
Looking back, he calls the decision a mistake.
“I shouldn’t have did that with Nas,” he admits. “It was a mistake. Because above and beyond the music, Hov is my man. In front of MTV, I would shed blood for Hov.”
Gotti describes the pull of ambition and legacy as the driving forces behind his actions. “He said, that ambition. I said, yeah. If it means me going in them history books, I don’t care. I’m weird like that. That’s how bad I want it.”
Even though Jay-Z never publicly denounced Gotti, the relationship changed. Gotti acknowledges that Hov is one of the smartest people he knows and understood what drove the decision. Still, it doesn’t excuse the move in Gotti’s eyes.
The Price of Ambition
Gotti’s introspection shows a side not often seen from the boisterous mogul. He openly admits that his hunger for greatness sometimes clouds his judgment. From his feud with Lloyd to his decision to side with Nas, Gotti recognizes that ambition can be both a strength and a flaw.
In the competitive world of hip-hop, ambition is a necessity. But when it comes at the cost of personal relationships, especially with someone like Jay-Z, the consequences are more profound. Gotti’s regret feels genuine, and he’s not shy about sharing that vulnerability.
Murder Inc.’s Legacy and What Comes Next
Though Murder Inc. no longer holds the powerful position it once did in the early 2000s, Gotti remains a respected voice in the music industry. His reflections serve as both a cautionary tale and a testament to his journey.
For fans of that golden era, the stories he shares are more than juicy headlines—they’re pieces of hip-hop history. They offer insight into the decisions, friendships, and feuds that shaped the music and the culture. Whether or not Lloyd responds to Gotti’s criticism, or Jay-Z ever fully forgives the past, Irv Gotti is choosing to own his narrative.
As Gotti says himself, “That’s how bad I want it.” And even in hindsight, that ambition is still driving him forward.
A Legacy Shaped by Loyalty and Lessons Learned
Irv Gotti’s latest comments serve as a window into the mind of a mogul still grappling with the consequences of ambition and pride. His brutal honesty cuts through the filtered media narratives and lays bare the complex human emotions behind the industry drama. In an era where clout often overshadows content, Gotti’s willingness to confront his mistakes and own his missteps makes for a refreshing and revealing moment in hip-hop journalism.
Whether defending his principles or mourning past choices, Irv Gotti continues to leave an indelible mark on the culture. For better or worse, his story is one of passion, persistence, and the price of wanting it all. Time will tell how history ultimately remembers him—but one thing’s clear: Irv Gotti isn’t finished writing his chapter just yet.