Legendary record executive and founder of hip-hop label Murder Inc., Irv Gotti, recalled being “in love” with singer Ashanti when he realized she was dating rapper Nelly.

Gotti revealed the exact moment he found out that Ashanti, who was signed to Murder Inc. at the time, was dating Nelly during an episode of the hit Revolt podcast, Drink Champs. He also admitted to being in love with the Glen Cove native when she was with the “Hot In Herre” musician in the ’00s.

“I could get past [Ashanti] wanting to be with Nelly…listen…at the time it happened–any man is hurt. The chick you’re f*****g are in love with is with this n***a,” Gotti said to Drink Champs host, Queens rapper Noreaga. “You wanna hear how I found out?   It’s on the documentary too. I was at home–listen to this s**t, god wanted me to find out–NBA package, I like watching sports. ‘My god, what’s this commotion going on in the stadium? We just found out what the commotion is: Nelly has just walked in with Ashanti.'”

During Murder Inc.’s heyday, Irv and Ashanti were rumored to be in a romantic relationship. The Queens-bred record executive addressed the rumor on a 2019 episode of the Wendy Williams show after she asked him if he cheated on his then ex-wife, Debbie Lorenzo. Irv and Debbie were reportedly together for 15 years until they divorced around 2013. Ashanti was still in a relationship with Nelly that year, as they publicly parted ways in 2014 after dating on and off for over a decade.

“No, Ashanti is not a homewrecker, guys. Ashanti had nothing to do with me and Deb. Deb caught me when I was directing ‘I Cry’ in Baltimore,” Irv told Wendy. “Deb, being the vicious person she is, she came down unannounced [saying] ‘I’m Mrs. Lorenzo, give me the room key.’ The door was latched, but she knows I’m in there. That’s what broke me and Deb up.”

Ashanti has not reportedly commented on Irv’s recollection.