Fans mourn Timbaland employee: “Iconic 90s rapper” dies at the age of 50

Social media has been inundated with tributes to rapper Magoo (real name Melvin Barcliff) after he reportedly died aged 50.

Fans often pay tribute to the death of their favorite rapper. Most recently, Twitter has been inundated with tributes to Timbaland’s employee Magoo after multiple reports surfaced across the internet claiming he had died. Magoo was a well-known rapper in the ’90s but fell relatively into obscurity in the later decades.

Who is Melvin Barcliff aka rapper Magoo?

Rapper Magoo, whose real name was Melvin Barcliff, was from Norfolk, Virginia. He is best known for his work with Timbaland. Magoo aka Melvin started getting involved with music as a teenager. He began his music career with the group SBI (Surrounded By Idiots), which also included Timbaland, Pharrell and Larry Live.

In the ’90s he became part of the rap duo Timbaland & Magoo. As part of the duo, Magoo created many hits like Up Jumps da Boogie, We at It Again, Party People, People Like Myself and more. The duo’s rise to fame followed their debut single Up Jumps da’ Boogie and album Welcome to Our World. The 1997 album eventually sold over a million copies and catapulted both Magoo and Timbaland to worldwide fame. During his successful career, Magoo also worked with Missy Elliott.

In his 2020 interview Speaking to YouKnowIgotSoul, the star revealed that he hated the “celebrity” aspect of making music and thus always preferred to keep a low profile. He goes on to reveal that after his time as a Timbaland and Magoo duo, he had a production company that worked with artists like Madonna and Justin Timberlake.

Timbaland's Birthday Celebration hosted by Plum Miami Magazine
Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage

The rapper has reportedly died at the age of 50

Recording artist Smoke E. Digglera and Digital Black of hip hop group Playa were the first to report rapper Magoo’s death. “Can’t believe this frigging big brother of RIH Magoo wasn’t ready for this at all #superfriends,” said Digital Black. “I’m crazy! RIP Magoo”, Smoke E. Digglera wrote on his Instagram.

Since then, many outlets and hip-hop-based social media accounts have reposted the news. The rapper was only 50 years old and his cause of death is unknown at the time of writing. Magoo’s associate Timbaland has not yet commented on the reports of his death.

However, many fans flocked to Twitter to mourn the loss of their favorite rapper.

Fans mourn Magoo’s reported death

Many fans were shocked to hear of Magoo’s death.

“I’ve been following this news for a while and prayed it was just rumours, but it appears to be confirmed. My husband Magoo, the hometown hero I will ALWAYS fight for, left us. That’s why he meant so much to me,” said one fan.

“Man. I’ll never forget exactly where I was when I first heard ‘Luv 2 Luv U’ on the radio. It was an atmosphere of its own. It’s a world of its own. RIP Magoo. “Rapper Magoo is dying but his Legacy never will,” said another hip-hop lover.

One fan thought Magoo was in the news for his hip-hop 50th anniversary celebrations and was shocked to come across a post about his death.

The post “Fans Mourn Timbaland Staffers as ‘Iconic ’90s Rapper’ Dies at 50” appeared first on HITC.

Emma Bowman

Emma Bowman is a USTimeToday U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. He has covered climate change extensively, as well as healthcare and crime. Emma Bowman joined USTimeToday in 2023 from the Daily Express and previously worked for Chemist and Druggist and the Jewish Chronicle. He is a graduate of Cambridge University. Languages: English. You can get in touch with Emma Bowman by emailing EmmaBowman@ustimetoday.com.

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