RIP

Daymond John is mourning the loss of his childhood friend Irv Gotti, like countless others in the music industry -- and believes his late friend would have had a hearty LOL at 50 Cent's "tribute."

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the legendary Shark as he pumped himself with stem cell therapy at a research center in Costa Rica -- the type of treatment he wishes Irv would've adopted.

Dozens of celebrities sent their condolences in the wake of Irv's death -- including 50 Cent in a half-tribute, half-backhanded fashion ... "smoking on Irv pack" with a "God Bless 'em" that felt somewhat sincere.

Despite Irv and 50's complicated history, Daymond believes Irv would have gotten a kick out of 50's post ... something The Breakfast Club's DJ Envy can understand.

Daymond admits their Queens neighborhoods were rough growing up, but bred tough skin ... not to mention how Irv and his record label infamously beat a federal money-laundering case!!!

Irv's official cause of death hasn't been revealed but Daymond tells us Irv confirmed he suffered a stroke during their final call last month ... and the Murder Inc. exec was missing the vigor he's known him to have throughout their lifelong friendship.

DayJ recalls, Irv and music video pioneer Hype Williams all got their start sitting on the sidelines of the artist side of the music industry ... but went on to make their mark in pop culture.

The good memories include hanging out on Kanye West's "Gold Digger" video shoot with Jamie Foxx, Pharrell ... and the time Irv told a then-unknown Pitbull to ditch the "keep it real" approach to his music.

And wouldn't you know it, Mr. Worldwide went on to become a Diamond-selling artist!!!

Irv was only 54.

We've learned David Lynch's cause of death ... his death certificate was released Friday.

In the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health document, David's immediate cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest ... with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the underlying condition. The document also lists dehydration as a significant contributor.

Lynch himself revealed last year he was diagnosed with emphysema after years of smoking cigarettes, and likely wouldn't be able to direct anymore, or even leave his house. In November, the director responsible for "Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive" and "Twin Peaks" admitted he couldn't even walk without oxygen ... saying smoking had been an integral part of his life since he started at just 8 years old.

Louisiana authorities have made an arrest in connection with the death of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano ... whose body was found in his hotel room after he went to New Orleans to cover Super Bowl LIX.

Danette Colbert was arrested Friday after allegedly using Manzano's credit cards at several stores in the area following his death ... according to the Kenner Police Department. Colbert has reportedly been charged with fraud and theft-related offenses, as the investigation continues.

Police say security video from the hotel where Manzano was staying shows Colbert with the journalist Wednesday morning ... and later leaving his hotel room solo. He was later found dead in the room.

Virginia Halas McCaskey -- the principal owner of the Chicago Bears -- has died at the age of 102.

The team announced her passing Thursday morning ... saying, "While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth."

"She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans."

Too Short was dealt a tremendous loss last week ... the rap legend's brother was found murdered in their Oakland hometown -- but he's slowly getting back in the saddle!!!

TMZ Hip Hop chopped up with Too Short in West Hollywood outside the book launch for Hollywood Virgin by Jason Felts Wednesday night, and while things are understandably heavy for him right now, he's got to keep pushing.

He says his emotions are too raw to convey what he's feeling properly but he felt he could bank on a bit of socialization to perk him up, so he stepped out to popular hotspot The Abbey with friends.

Ja Rule is mourning the loss of music legend Irv Gotti ... who launched the rapper's career in the '90s and elevated him in the early '00s.

Following word of the Murder Inc. cofounder's death, Ja Rule posted to Instagram a black-and-white tribute to Gotti ... along with a short but poignant message for his late mentor.

Check it out ... Ja Rule uploaded a profile shot of Gotti to his feed and shared a pic of himself up close with the mega producer.

7:53 AM PT -- Irv Gotti's children released a statement Thursday morning about their father's passing ... "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Irving 'Irv Gotti' Lorenzo, on February 5, 2025. Surrounded by family and friends, he departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched."

The tribute -- signed by Angie, Sonny, and JJ -- honors their dad's professional achievements and passion for music ... and the family asks for privacy as they grieve his loss.

Music mega producer Irv Gotti -- who worked with big acts like DMX, Ja Rule and Ashanti -- is dead ... TMZ has confirmed.

Multiple sources close to his family tell us he died Wednesday in New York City. It's currently unclear exactly how he died.

Irv's battled health problems recently since suffering a stroke last year, and has had to walk with the aid of a cane.

50 Cent trolled Irv Gotti's death on Instagram, writing "LOL" as he was pictured next to a tombstone emblazoned with the phrase "RIP."

The rapper jumped on IG after news broke Wednesday that Irv had died ... 50 posted the photo of himself sitting next to the "RIP" scrawled tombstone and exhaling smoke from a hookah.

In the caption, Fitty wrote, "I'm smoking on dat Gotti pack," but then softened his language with "nah God bless him LOL," alongside an image of Irv -- the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records.

A mass shooting in Sweden ended with at least 10 people murdered Tuesday ... and new video has surfaced capturing the terrifying moments a witness hiding in a bathroom heard the gunman firing his weapon as he closed in.

Hashem Shams shot the footage with his phone as he sat on a toilet in the cramped restroom at a Risbergska adult education center in Oreba, a city about 100 miles west of the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

Check it out ... Shams -- a student at the school -- looks totally freaked out as he listens to the "pop, pop, pop" of Rickard Andersson's gun.

Liam Payne's girlfriend is recalling the late One Direction member's final days ... and revealing why she left him behind in Argentina before his death.

Kate Cassidy breaks her silence in her first interview since Liam's October 2024 death, telling the Sun in an article published Wednesday she's still in shock over his loss.

Liam's GF says ... "It still doesn't feel fully real for me that he's not here." She says she thinks about him "every second of every day."

New court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, state the blood alcohol levels of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were higher than Sean Higgins' at the time of the August 2024 crash that took the brothers' lives.

According to the docs -- which were filed by Higgins' attorneys in a motion on Tuesday in New Jersey -- Johnny's BAC was .129 and Matthew's was .134 ... both higher than Higgins' .087.

It should be noted Higgins' attorneys were NOT arguing the Gaudreaus' level of intoxication played a role in the accident in this filing ... rather, they were merely stating the findings in an effort to further their request for items related to the way the guys' bloodwork was obtained.

8:28 AM PT -- Bruce Reginald Foster III, the suspect wanted for killing one person and injuring five in a shooting at an Ohio warehouse Tuesday night, has been arrested, according to the New Albany Police Dept. Police said Foster was apprehended when officers executed a search warrant at a Columbus residence. No further details were released.

Cops have launched a massive manhunt for a mass shooter who they say fatally gunned down one person and wounded five others in Ohio.

New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones announced Wednesday morning investigators identified a person of interest -- Bruce Reginald Foster III -- and publicly released his mug shot as they scour the earth trying to find him.

At a press conference, Jones said Foster -- whose motive was unknown -- apparently targeted a large warehouse in New Albany, where a company, KDC/One, manufactures beauty products.

10:10 AM PT -- President Trump is offering his condolences to his friend Tiger Woods after the 15x Major champion's mom passed away.

"I was just informed that Tiger Woods’ wonderful Mother, Kultida, passed away — She has gone onto greener fairways! Kultida Woods was an amazing influence on Tiger, and gave him much of his strength and brilliance. Melania and I send our love and prayers to Tiger and his incredible family!," POTUS wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the Wood's family.

Tiger Woods' mom has sadly died.

The golfing legend announced the heartbreaking news on his X page Tuesday ... revealing Kultida Woods passed away earlier in the morning.

Tiger did not reveal a cause of death. Kultida was 80 years old.

Andy Beyer is mourning the loss of his wife Justyna and daughter Brielle following the tragic aircraft catastrophe in Washington, D.C. last week ... and revealing the harrowing moment he learned the truth about their demise.

The grieving husband and father appeared on CNN Monday evening, where he couldn't hide his heartbreak while recounting to host Kaitlan Collins how he realized his loved ones were no longer alive.

Andy said he and his son were awaiting Justyna and Brielle's return from Wichita, Kansas, where Brielle had participated in the National Development Camp for U.S. Figure Skating.

Allison Holker says her late husband, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, still visits her from beyond the grave -- telling her he's sorry and he still loves her.

Speaking on "The Jamie Kern Lima Show," Allison recalled tWitch’s first visit just five days after his death -- she was lying in bed with her youngest daughter, with her eyes closed, when the room started shaking, and she suddenly fixated on his face in front of her, delivering the message.

Allison is 100% sure it was him and says he’s visited her and her older daughter, Weslie, multiple times since. While some moments are beautiful, she said others were scary -- and they’ve had to ask him for space at times.

"The Voice" alum Ryan Whyte Maloney was locked in a custody battle with his ex-wife in the months leading up to his suicide ... and the dispute was taking a toll on his mental health, at least according to his fiancée.

Ryan's fiancée, Zana, tells TMZ ... Ryan and his ex-wife were fighting over custody of their four children for the past eight months. Zana says Ryan wanted to split custody with his ex, but she wanted primary custody -- and the back-and-forth was torturing him inside.

Zana says Ryan had a history of mental health struggles and was working on his issues before fatally shooting himself in Las Vegas.