NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) – Rapper Magoo, born Melvin Barcliff, passed away Sunday (August 13). The news of his passing was announced by artist Digital Black, a member of Dru Hill, on Instagram (IG). The cause of death has not been revealed. He was 50.
Long-time friend and collaborator Timbaland confirmed the news on his official IG page Monday (August 14), writing, “This one hits different … Long live Melvin aka Magoo!!! Tim and Magoo forever. Rest easy, my king.”
Magoo met Timbaland in Norfolk, VA, when they were teens and formed the duo Timbaland & Magoo in 1989. In the early 90s, Magoo and Timbaland were part of a collective called Surrounded by Idiots (SBI), featuring the award-winning artist Pharrell Williams.
After Magoo introduced rapper Missy Elliot to Timbaland, they joined the collective Da Bassment Cru – led by Jodeci’s DeVante Swing. By 1995, the collective had dissipated, and Timbaland and Magoo signed with Aaliyah’s uncle’s label, Blackground Records.
The duo released Welcome to Our World with tracks featuring Elliott, Aaliyah and Ginuwine, Indecent Proposal featuring tracks with Jay-Z, Ludacris and Tweet, and Under Construction Part II (a nod to Missy Elliott’s album Under Construction), which included tracks with Bubba Sparxxx, Brandy and Wyclef Jean.
Magoo’s introduction of Elliott to his long-time friend resulted in one of the most iconic producing duos in the hip-hop genre. That partnership resulted in the 1997 hit “Supa Dupa Fly.” People.com reports Magoo said of the duo, “It was almost like God was putting the pieces together. She saw the future for what Tim’s production could do.”
Elliott took to social media on Monday (August 14), sharing her feelings on Magoo’s death.
This kind of post I don’t wish on any1😢 at 1st I was in shock & now reality has kicked in😭i asked you to rap on Beep Me 911 & I played your verse over & over because I always loved your VA style 😞posting this is so heartbreaking I am so lost for words… 😭🕊️💔 #RIPMAGOO pic.twitter.com/R4yhNgzwD6
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 14, 2023
While Timbaland’s producing style was much in demand after the success of Elliott’s albums, Magoo said in his website interview, “I’m in the business, but I don’t want people to know what I’m doing. I used to have a production company and that worked with Madonna and Justin Timberlake. I did that after Timbaland & Magoo. I signed a few producers, and they did very well.” Magoo then retreated from the spotlight, preferring to work on the back end.
According to People.com, Magoo said at the time, “I enjoyed it more once it was over, and I still didn’t enjoy it,” he said. “That’s why I walked away from it … When I had a No. 1 song, I realized I may have been better with my 9-5 before I left Virginia. It’s hard to be happy because you’re fighting for everything you earned, and you just don’t have time to enjoy it with your family. You aren’t as close with friends anymore, and people are treating you different once you have that hit record. I lived two different lives, and being a celebrity wasn’t fun.”
Magoo is best known for his work with his friend and partner Timbaland on “Up Jumps Da Boogie,” “Clock Strikes,” and “All Y’all.” He was also featured on Elliott’s smash hit, “Beep Me 911,” and Ginuwine’s “G Thang.”
Friend Ginuwine also took to social media to express his grief over his friend’s passing.
Ginuwine – “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 ….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 🍷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 🙏🏽”
Magoo kept his personal life out of the spotlight. However, it has been reported that Magoo is survived by his wife, Latisha Barcliff, daughter Melody, son Melvin Jr. and stepdaughter Tia.
RIP.
