Cousins! Please join us in extending our deepest condolences to the family and friends of beloved rapper Magoo following the tragic news of his passing!
Producer Digital Black took to Instagram early Monday morning to confirm the 50-year-old’s passing. “Man can’t believe this RIH Magoo damn big bro wasn’t ready for this at all #superfriends.”
Fellow celebrities and longtime friends such as Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Ginuwine and more paid tribute to Magoo’s legacy on social media.
“I don’t even know how to say anything at this point, ” wrote Ginuwine. “I have lost 3 friends now within a month to LIFE and its due date ….this dude , always pushed me …I will miss you maganooo that’s what we called him …..”
“….totally one of the best ever in my eyes always pressing forward I know we didn’t talk alot but the love was and will be always there my brotha , I will see you soon bro we all have our date and I’m expecting the bro hug when I get there 🍷,” he wrote alongside an image of Magoo with the text “R.I.P Soldier Melvin “MaGoo” Barcliff.”
He added, “I’m truly efd up right now foreal life is crazy… I hate going through this and losing people we love sometimes it makes you feel like you don’t wanna feel the pain so you wanna be gone also …pain hurts ..man oh man blessings to the family all of my condolences 🙏🏽.”
Timbaland also reflected on him and Magoo’s longtime friendship following news of his tragic passing, “”This one hits different 🥲🥲🥲 long live Melvin aka magoo !!!💔💔💔 Tim and Magoo forever 🕊️🕊️🕊️ rest easy my king ❤️❤️❤️.”
According to PEOPLE magazine, Magoo is responsible for introducing musical geniuses Missy Elliot and Timbaland to one another. “It was almost like God was putting pieces together,” he said of their collaboration in a previous interview. “She saw the future for what Tim’s production could do.”
Details surrounding Magoo’s cause of death have not been shared with the public at this time.
Deadline reports that Timbaland and Magoo met as teenagers in their old stomping ground of Norfolk, Virginia and ultimately made their way into the music industry with their break out hit “Up Jumps Da Boogie,” that featured Missy and Aaliyah and reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.