Imagine placing a massive bet—one so big that the whole arena knows about it. Only to watch it go up in flames because of one ridiculous shot. That’s exactly what happened to hip-hop mogul Irv Gotti and rapper Ja Rule when they bet big on a Golden State Warriors game, only for Gilbert Arenas to ruin their night in the most savage way possible.

During a VLAD TV interview in 2022, Arenas looked back on the infamous moment when he unknowingly cost Gotti and Ja Rule a whopping $175,000. Back when he was with the Warriors, Arenas and his squad were on the road facing the Houston Rockets, who were led by Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley. Let’s have a closer look into the incident that cost a significant amount to Gotti.

Irv Gotti and Ja Rule had placed the bet against Gilbert Arenas’ Warriors

The Warriors were already losing, and the game was practically over. But what happened next would be the ultimate dagger—not for the Rockets, but for Irv Gotti and Ja Rule.

At some point during the game, Gil overheard Gotti and Ja talking about how they had placed a bet on the Warriors to cover the spread. Now, if you know anything about Arenas, you know he was the type of player who thrived on proving people wrong and messing with opponents—even if they’re not actually on the court. The problem? He had no clue what the spread actually was. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he saw an opportunity to spoil someone’s night.

So, with the game already out of reach, Arenas dribbled up the court, pulled up from half-court, and let it fly. And, of course, because the basketball Gods have a sense of humor, the wild shot went in—effectively sinking Irv Gotti and Ja Rule’s bet in real-time.

Arenas later admitted on VLAD TV that, at the moment, he didn’t know how much money was on the line. But he knew he had crushed someone’s soul that night. “I came down and shot it. And I could see the disappointment in their face. I won. I won the game. We’re going back to the locker room, and I’m sitting there like, ‘Yeah, I hurt somebody’s feelings today.'”

And he definitely did. The exact amount they lost didn’t come to light until years later when Irv Gotti appeared on Drink Champs. That’s when he revealed that he and Ja Rule had put $175,000 on the Rockets to cover the spread against the Warriors. “We wanted to k*ll Gilbert Arenas after that,” Gotti admitted. “The whole arena knew we had 175 [thousand dollars] on this. The refs knew. Everyone knew.”

It’s not just his legacy in his professional field but anecdotes like these that the fans will remember Gotti for.

Music industry suffered a major loss with Irv Gotti’s death

The music world lost a true visionary with Gott’s death. The prolific producer and record executive who helped shape the sound of early 2000s hip-hop and R&B passed away at the age of 54.

On Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the heartbreaking news that the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records had died. If you grew up in the golden era of hip-hop, chances are you’ve vibed to a song that had Irv Gotti’s fingerprints on it. His influence, however, stretched far beyond just making beats. He was a powerhouse who brought artists together, created unforgettable anthems, and left a permanent mark on the industry.

Born Irving Lorenzo Jr., Gotti made waves in the late ’90s when he signed Ruff Ryders artist DMX to Def Jam in 1997. That decision alone changed the course of hip-hop history. A year later, he executive-produced DMX’s explosive debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. An instant classic that showcased raw energy and lyrical intensity like never before. Around the same time, he and his brother Chris Gotti launched Murder Inc. Records under Def Jam. A move that set the stage for some of the biggest hits of the early 2000s.

Remember when rap and R&B collaborations dominated the charts? You can thank Irv Gotti for that. He played a massive role in Jennifer Lopez’s 2001 smash hit I’m Real featuring Ja Rule. A song that became the soundtrack of the summer. He was also behind Ja Rule and Ashanti’s unforgettable collab Always on Time, a song that still gets crowds singing along decades later. And let’s not forget his work on Ashanti’s 2002 self-titled debut album, which gave us the timeless hit Foolish.

Beyond Murder Inc., Gotti worked with some of the biggest names in music—Jay-Z, Fat Joe, Eve, and even Kanye West. There is no argument that his creative instincts were unmatched, and his ability to craft hits made him one of the most respected producers of his time.

No wonder that in the wake of his passing, Def Jam paid tribute to his legacy, calling him a “creative genius” whose impact will never be forgotten.

“His contributions at Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation of artists and producers,” the label wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.”

Even Kanye West took a moment to honor Gotti, sharing a photo of him on Instagram with just a dove emoji—a simple but powerful tribute.

Irv Gotti leaves behind an unforgettable legacy and, most importantly, his three children: Angie, Sonny, and JJ. His impact on hip-hop and R&B will live on, not just through his music but through the generations of artists he inspired. Rest in peace to a true legend.