Hip-hop star and former Timbaland rap partner dies as famous friends pay their respects

Rapper Magoo, best known for his collaboration with hip-hop superstar Timbaland, has died at the age of 50.

The musician, whose real name is Melvin Barcliffe, died on Sunday, the cause of death is unknown.

The sad news was announced by fellow R&B star and music producer Digital Black in a post shared on his Instagram.

Posting a photo of Magoo and Timbaland’s 1997 album “Welcome to Our World”, he wrote: “Man can’t believe the great Magoo, RIH, wasn’t quite ready for these #superfriends.”

Singer Ginuwine, real name Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, was quick to share his condolences, reminding followers that “time was short.”

She wrote: “I don’t even know how to say anything at the moment, I lost 3 friends within 1 month before LIFE which is the expiration date.

“This guy, he always pushed me… I will miss him, as we call him… One of my best always supported me. I know we didn’t talk much, but love was and always will be my brothers. , ”

He continued, “See you soon brother, we all have a date and I expect my brother to hug me when I get there.”

“I hate going through all of this and losing the people we love sometimes makes you feel like you don’t want to feel pain so you want to leave too… pain hurts… man bless the family, my condolences. ”

While fellow artist Orian Omri Brauner wrote, “Damn rest in heaven mag fi nu.”

“He was a good guy,” rapper Dalvin said.

MailOnline contacted the late rapper’s representatives for confirmation.

Fans were also heartbroken at the news when someone wrote, “No no no you can’t be real.”

With the second comment: “No, what happened!!!”.

A third added: “It’s always someone you don’t expect to die much worse.”

Another person wrote: “Ommy nooo no mage.”

Another said, “Damn, I’ve met him before… a good man.”

As one fan wrote, “FUCK yo, I’ve met him before… good guy.”

E: “Damn… RIP Magoo.”

Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia, Magoo and Timbaland first met when they were teenagers before taking the music industry by storm.

They released their debut album Welcome to Our World in 1997, which spawned their hit Up Jumps da Boogie.

They released two more albums, Indecent in 2001 and Under Construction, Part II in 2003, the follow-up to last year’s Pal Missy Elliott.

Timbaland continued to make a name for himself as a producer and worked with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Madonna.