Magoo (né Melvin Barcliff) of the rap duo Timbaland & Magoo has reportedly died at 50.
View this post on Instagram
No one has released the cause of death, but Timbaland (real name Timothy Mosely) and producer Digital Black confirmed the news via Instagram.
“This one hits different,” Timbaland wrote in an Instagram post comprising a video of the duo performing their 1997 hit “Up Jumps Da’ Boogie” from their “Welcome to Our World” album.
“Long live Melvin, aka Magoo!!! Tim and Magoo forever. Rest easy, my king,” Timbaland’s post read.
View this post on Instagram
Digital Black posted Timbaland & Magoo’s “Welcome to Our World” album cover where Magoo stood center with Timbaland in the back.
“Man, can’t believe this. R.I.H., Magoo. D**n, bro, wasn’t ready for this at all,” his post read.
View this post on Instagram
Missy Elliot also took to Instagram to address Magoo’s death.
“These are the kind of post[s] I don’t wish on [anyone],” she wrote. “At [first], I was in shock, and the more I sit, the reality kicks in…so many emotions. I remember when we [first] met as teenagers, and you said, ‘Hey, my name Melvin,’ and I laughed so hard, and I said, ‘Wait, you really talk like that?'”
The “Work it” rapper continued, “You said, ‘Yup.’…From that day, we became so cool. You supported me from day [one], and 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.”
The “Beep Me 911” music video was attached to the post, which she did with Magoo and the trio 702.
“When we did this song…I asked Magoo to get on it, and I played this verse over and over and posting this is just heartbreaking. I am so lost for words.”
View this post on Instagram
Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia, Timbaland & Magoo broke into the hip-hop scene with their debut single, “Up Jumps Da’ Boogie,” featuring the legendary rapper Missy Elliott and the late and great singer Aaliyah, hitting the Top Ten R&B charts.
Before the duo pair teamed up, Timbaland had established himself as a music producer, working with some of the biggest names in R&B, like Ginuwine, SWV, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, etc.
Then came “Indecent Proposal” (2001) and “Under Construction, Pt. II (2003).