Maybe that’s why he has so much to say about X, Jay, Lyor Cohen, and Def Jam. When we spoke to Gotti for our Magnum Opus on Ja Rule’s “Put It On Me,” he ranted and raved revealing so many juicy nuggets we put together a five part series called Jewels From Irv Gotti.

In the first installment, he talks about how everyone from Jay Z and Dame Dash to Lyor Cohen and Def Jam didn’t think DMX could be a star. He recalls how Def Jam head honcho Lyor Cohen—in his Lyor Cohen accent—mockingly said, “Who’s gonna buy his records? Chiwawas? He’s barking.” And how Jay Z thought X’s music was too depressing. But Gotti got his revenge when DMX became a superstar selling five million records with his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, and Gotti began telling Lyor to “shut the fuck up” during Def Jam staff meetings.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another episode of Jewels From Irv Gotti.