Waka Flocka Flame Hits the Poker Tables at CPT Game Night V mourning, Irv Gotti’s death, who passed at the poker table.
Earlier this month, rapper Waka Flocka Flame took to the felt in Las Vegas, joining athletes and influencers for an electrifying night at Celebrity Poker Tour (CPT) Game Night V. The high-energy event saw the “Hard in da Paint” rapper testing his poker skills alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment.
However, the night carried a somber tone for Waka, who was still mourning the loss of Irv Gotti, the iconic founder of Murder Inc. Records. Gotti, a pivotal figure in hip-hop history credited with helping launch the careers of Jay-Z, Ja Rule, and DMX, tragically passed away at 54 after suffering a stroke during a poker game.
A Personal Connection to Irv Gotti
For Waka Flocka, Gotti’s passing hit close to home—both figuratively and literally. The 38-year-old rapper, originally from New York City before relocating to Atlanta, revealed that his grandmother lived just down the street from the legendary Murder Inc. headquarters in Manhattan.
“Irv Gotti and Murder Inc. were literally down the street from my grandma’s house,” Waka shared in an interview. “When I used to take my grandmother’s clothes to the cleaners, I’d walk past the spot where Murder Inc. started.”
Irv Gotti’s Legacy in Hip-Hop and Poker
Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. on June 26, 1970, Irv Gotti built an empire with Def Jam and Murder Inc., becoming one of the most influential producers and executives in hip-hop. Sadly, his passing marked his second stroke within a year.
Adding to the eerie nature of his death, Gotti’s brother later revealed that he suffered his fatal stroke while playing poker and eating Chinese food—a game he loved and played regularly. In fact, Gotti had amassed $44,106 in recorded poker earnings, as documented by Hendon Mob.
Upon hearing the news, Waka Flocka reflected on the importance of health and well-being.
“R.I.P. to the OG,” he said. “Shoutout to Irv Gotti. That’s a sad one right there. Protect your health, man. Health is wealth. You could have a billion dollars in your pocket, but if you don’t have your health, it doesn’t matter.”
From Hip-Hop to Poker: Waka’s Newfound Passion
Waka Flocka Flame, who helped define the trap music era with his 2010 album “Flockaveli,” has deep roots in the hip-hop industry. His mother, Debra Antney, is a powerhouse manager who has worked with Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, and other major artists. Waka has always admired her business acumen, saying:
“My mother is my messiah. Whatever she does, I’m following her. If she got into the pizza business, I’d get into the pizza business. She drops pebbles, I pick them up. I’m here to serve my mother. I love my mother.”
In recent years, Waka has shifted gears, dabbling in cryptocurrency, social media controversies, and even voicing support for Donald Trump. But now, poker may be his next big move.
After competing in the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, where he finished seventh in a single-table event, Waka expressed excitement about diving deeper into the game.
“I was comfortable and nervous at the same time, but now I feel like I might actually have a career in poker,” he said. “I always lost when I played on tour buses, but now I got some new poker friends, and I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
Waka even laid out his plans for improvement, comparing his journey to education:
“It’s like going through high school and college. Once I graduate, I’m kicking ass,” he joked. “Y’all gonna see me back here. I’m definitely winning the belt, for sure.”
Poker and Hip-Hop: A Growing Trend
Waka Flocka Flame isn’t the only rapper testing his skills at the Celebrity Poker Tour. Houston legend Bun B played in a February 24th event.
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/02/irv-gotti-dies-at-poker-table-47915.htm
Earlier this month, rapper Waka Flocka Flame took to the felt in Las Vegas, joining athletes and influencers for an electrifying night at Celebrity Poker Tour (CPT) Game Night V. The high-energy event saw the “Hard in da Paint” rapper testing his poker skills alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment.
However, the night carried a somber tone for Waka, who was still mourning the loss of Irv Gotti, the iconic founder of Murder Inc. Records. Gotti, a pivotal figure in hip-hop history credited with helping launch the careers of Jay-Z, Ja Rule, and DMX, tragically passed away at 54 after suffering a stroke during a poker game.
A Personal Connection to Irv Gotti
For Waka Flocka, Gotti’s passing hit close to home—both figuratively and literally. The 38-year-old rapper, originally from New York City before relocating to Atlanta, revealed that his grandmother lived just down the street from the legendary Murder Inc. headquarters in Manhattan.
“Irv Gotti and Murder Inc. were literally down the street from my grandma’s house,” Waka shared in an interview. “When I used to take my grandmother’s clothes to the cleaners, I’d walk past the spot where Murder Inc. started.”
Irv Gotti’s Legacy in Hip-Hop and Poker
Born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. on June 26, 1970, Irv Gotti built an empire with Def Jam and Murder Inc., becoming one of the most influential producers and executives in hip-hop. Sadly, his passing marked his second stroke within a year.
Adding to the eerie nature of his death, Gotti’s brother later revealed that he suffered his fatal stroke while playing poker and eating Chinese food—a game he loved and played regularly. In fact, Gotti had amassed $44,106 in recorded poker earnings, as documented by Hendon Mob.
Upon hearing the news, Waka Flocka reflected on the importance of health and well-being.
“R.I.P. to the OG,” he said. “Shoutout to Irv Gotti. That’s a sad one right there. Protect your health, man. Health is wealth. You could have a billion dollars in your pocket, but if you don’t have your health, it doesn’t matter.”
From Hip-Hop to Poker: Waka’s Newfound Passion
Waka Flocka Flame, who helped define the trap music era with his 2010 album “Flockaveli,” has deep roots in the hip-hop industry. His mother, Debra Antney, is a powerhouse manager who has worked with Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, and other major artists. Waka has always admired her business acumen, saying:
“My mother is my messiah. Whatever she does, I’m following her. If she got into the pizza business, I’d get into the pizza business. She drops pebbles, I pick them up. I’m here to serve my mother. I love my mother.”
In recent years, Waka has shifted gears, dabbling in cryptocurrency, social media controversies, and even voicing support for Donald Trump. But now, poker may be his next big move.
After competing in the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, where he finished seventh in a single-table event, Waka expressed excitement about diving deeper into the game.
“I was comfortable and nervous at the same time, but now I feel like I might actually have a career in poker,” he said. “I always lost when I played on tour buses, but now I got some new poker friends, and I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
Waka even laid out his plans for improvement, comparing his journey to education:
“It’s like going through high school and college. Once I graduate, I’m kicking ass,” he joked. “Y’all gonna see me back here. I’m definitely winning the belt, for sure.”
Poker and Hip-Hop: A Growing Trend
Waka Flocka Flame isn’t the only rapper testing his skills at the Celebrity Poker Tour. Houston legend Bun B played in a February 24th event.
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/02/irv-gotti-dies-at-poker-table-47915.htm
