Magoo Dead at 50 – Report

UPDATE (Aug. 15):

Magoo's longtime friend and collaborator, Missy Elliott, hit up Instagram on Monday (Aug.14), with a heartfelt post in his memory. While reflecting on her time spent with the late Virginia rapper, Missy explained that it was actually Magoo who gave her the nickname "Misdemeanor."

"These are the kind of post I don’t wish on any1," Missy Elliott's message to Magoo reads. "At 1st I was in shock & the more I sit the reality kicks in so many emotions. I remember when we 1st met as teenagers & you said hey my name Melvin & I laughed so hard & I said wait you really talk like that? and you said yuuuup & I kept laughing & I said what you do you said I rap & you kicked 8 bars & I said you remind me of Qtip & you said he one of my favorite emcees but your flow was VA I loved it! & from that day we became so cool you supported me from day 1 & you said I’m going to call you Misdemeanor because it’s a crime to have that many talents. So those who don’t know Magoo gave me the name Misdemeanor When we did this song Beep Me 911 & I asked Magoo to get on it & I played this verse over and over & posting this is just heartbreaking I am so lost for words…"

UPDATE (Aug. 14):

Timbaland has confirmed the passing of his former rhyme partner Magoo.

"This one hits different," Timbo captioned a video on Instagram of himself and Magoo performing. "Long live Melvin aka magoo !!! Tim and Magoo forever rest easy my king."

ORIGINAL STORY: (Aug. 14):

Magoo has reportedly died at the age of 50.

Magoo Passes Away

On Sunday (Aug. 13), news broke that former Timbaland partner-in-rhyme Magoo has passed away. The tragic news was first revealed by Digital Black of the R&B group Playa who captioned a Timbaland and Magoo album cover on Instagram, "Man can’t believe this RIH Magoo damn big bro wasnt ready for this at all #superfriends."

Ginuwine also confirmed Magoo's passing via a post on Instagram.

"I don’t even know how to say anything at this point , I have lost 3 friends now within a month to LIFE and it’s due date," Ginuwine captioned the post. "This dude , always pushed me …I will mis 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."

He continued: "I will see you soon bro we all have our date and I’m expecting the bro hug when I get there 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 dont wanna feel the pain so you wanna be gone also …pain hurts ..man oh man blessings to the family all of my condolences."

Read More: Today in Hip-Hop: Timbaland and Magoo Drop 'Welcome to Our World' Album

Magoo

Born Melvin Barcliff, Magoo hailed from Norfolk, Va. and began working with fellow Virginia native Timbaland in the late 1980s. They released their debut platinum album Welcome to Our World in 1997, which features the gold single "Up Jumps Da Boogie" featuring Missy Elliott and Aaliyah. The duo released two follow-up albums, 2001's Indecent Proposal and 2003's Under Construction Part 2. In 2007, Magoo appeared on the track "Boardmeeting" from Timbaland's Shock Value album.

No cause of death have been revealed.

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