Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Magoo (real name Melvin Barcliff), a rapper with close ties to Timbaland since their teenage years, reportedly passed away at 50.
Word of Magoo’s apparent passing broke on Sunday (Aug. 13). Current Dru Hill member Digital Black uploaded a photo of Magoo’s breakout album with Timbaland — Welcome to Our World, which Timbaland & Magoo released in late 1997.
The duo crossed paths in their hometown of Norfolk, Virginia, and Magoo’s debut album with Timbaland featured collabs with noteworthy stars like Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, and Playa — an R&B group that Digital Black helped form. This project was followed up with Indecent Exposure and Under Construction, Part II, in 2001 and 2003, respectively.
Beneath a photo of the album cover, Digital Black wrote, “Man can’t believe this RIH Magoo damn big bro wasn’t ready for this at all.”
In the wake of Digital Black’s upload, Ginuwine took to Instagram to chime in as well.
Within a lengthy caption, the singer acknowledged that he’s “lost 3 friends now within a month.” He also remarked, “I’m truly efd up right now foreal life is crazy… I hate going through this and losing people we love sometimes.”
In addition to the “Pony” singer, Timbaland shared a few posts to honor Magoo’s memory. Beneath his first upload, he wrote, “Rest easy, my king.”
Shortly after making this initial post, he shared another video highlighting some of the “many memories” they share.
Lastly, Timbaland shared a clip from a track that he, Magoo, and Pharrell Williams cooked up back when they were known as a group called Surrounded by Idiots (S.B.I.).
At this time, the rapper’s cause of death is unclear.
We send our heartfelt players and condolences to Magoo’s loved ones at this time.
