Ashanti Reflects on Her Relationship with Irv Gotti After His Passing

Ashanti has opened up about her complicated history with Irv Gotti following the former label boss’s untimely passing. In a new episode of Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast, released on February 28, the R&B star shared her feelings about Gotti’s death and how she wished things had ended differently between them.

Ashanti Expresses Sadness Over Irv Gotti’s Death

During the interview, Martinez acknowledged Ashanti’s heartfelt tribute to Gotti on social media, praising her for taking the high road despite their rocky history. Ashanti admitted that she had hoped to mend their relationship before he passed away.

“It was a lot to process. It was a lot of different feelings and emotions, and I think honestly what I said [in my tribute post] is really how I feel,” Ashanti said. “I was really sad and I’m still sad that it ended like this because there was a time where things were just amazing.”

She continued, “I know my heart always just wanted peace for both of us and for us to be cordial. I wished peace for him. I prayed for him to be at peace and you just don’t really see this – it really just came out of nowhere.”

Wishing for Reconciliation

Ashanti went on to express regret that she and Gotti were unable to find closure before his passing. Despite their public disputes in recent years, she acknowledged the history they shared and the music they created together.

“I really wanted to [be able to make peace with him before he passed] because, like I said, we made history together. That is infinite,” she explained. “I’m sad that the last few years we weren’t seeing eye to eye. What I do know is that I tried. I do know that I extended the olive branch. I just want things to be cool.”

A Complicated History

Gotti played a pivotal role in launching Ashanti’s career, producing some of her biggest hits and leading Murder Inc. during her rise to fame in the early 2000s. However, their relationship became a source of controversy in later years.

Back in 2022, Ashanti spoke out about her past with Gotti, claiming he had manipulated her when she was younger. She also denied Gotti’s claims that they had been in a committed relationship, clarifying that while they had “dealt with each other,” she was never his girlfriend.

“Let’s clear this up,” she told Angie Martinez at the time. “We’re not gonna say relationship. We dealt with each other, but was Irv my boyfriend? Was I his girlfriend? Never … Irv had several girlfriends, so I’m a little confused by the label and the description.”

Despite these tensions, Ashanti’s recent comments reflect a desire for peace and an appreciation for their musical legacy.

Irv Gotti’s Passing

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Irv Gotti passed away on February 5 at the age of 54. Reports indicated that he suffered a second stroke, following a previous one the year before. His death shocked the music industry, and many artists have since paid tribute to his impact on hip-hop and R&B.

While Ashanti and Gotti’s relationship was complicated, her words highlight the respect and gratitude she still holds for their time together.