Lyor and Irv Gotti: Partners in Crime?

TEAMING UP: The N.Y. Post reports that Lyor Cohen will reunite with former Murder Inc. ruler Irv Gotti, who worked with such acts as Ja Rule and Ashanti during Cohen’s reign at Island Def Jam. The two will form an as yet-to-be-announced talent management firm that will advise prospective clients Drake and Kanye West, the latter already reportedly being consulted by Cohen. Sources say the deal between the two was inked this week. Gotti founded Murder Inc. in 1997, producing Jay-Z’s first hit, “Can I Get A…” The name of the label was later changed to The Inc. Gotti, who was acquitted for money laundering in 2005 with his brother Chris as part of an alleged high-end drug ring, threw his name in the ring to become President of Def Jam before Joie Manda got the job earlier this year. (12/21p)