Bobby Brown has revealed that the late Irv Gotti paid him $1 million to appear in the music video for Ja Rule's "Thug Lovin."
During his appearance on Club Shay Shay, Brown reflected on the music executive who passed away in February after suffering a stroke. The New Edition legend recalled how Gotti always wanted to see others be successful, such as himself.
According to the 56-year-old, Gotti gave him a one-million-dollar check to appear in the music video for Ja Rule's "Thug Lovin'," which was released in 2002. The video shows the two artists flying in on a helipad and making their way to a club with a group of women. Brown also revealed that the helicopter scene had him fearing for his life.
"Irv was a special cat," he said. "He loved seeing people successful. He loved that. He loved making sure that you got your just due, you got paid. I think for the video 'Thug Lovin,' I got paid like one million to shoot it."
He continued, "And the top of that building – coming off that helicopter was the scariest shit ever in my life because I'm so afraid of heights that it was just like, I don't think I can do this. And the wind was blowing, and it was just all kinds of things going on, and I was just like, I have to nail this first take because I don't wanna do it again. So I nailed the first take, and I was out!"
Gotti passed away on Feb. 5 after suffering a stroke while hanging out with friends. In an interview with 2 Way Tonight, Gotti's brother Chris explained what happened to his brother after suffering his second stroke in a year.
"He was diagnosed when he was in his 40s, but Irv doesn't go to the doctor," said Chris. "That's why he was late being diagnosed. When he finally did go get a real physical and a check-up, they're like, 'You're diabetic.'"
He added, "Irv did go on his terms. He just didn't believe it, and basically he ate a bunch of Chinese food while playing poker and had a massive hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding in the brain."