Rapper Young Noble, who belonged to the hip-hop group Outlawz, has died at age 47.
The musician, who was a frequent collaborator of the late rapper Tupac Shakur, died by suicide in Atlanta on July 4, TMZ reported.
A GoFundMe has since been launched by his family to raise funds for funeral expenses.
The Post has reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for comment.
Following the news of Young Noble’s death, rapper Snoop Dogg led tributes to Noble, whose real name was Rufus Lee Cooper III, on social media.
“DAMN Mental health is real,” wrote Snoop, who was on Death Row Records with Noble and Shakur in the lead up to his 1996 death.
The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” hitmaker, 53, shared the post on his Instagram Story to Shakur and Outlawz’s track, “The Good Die Young.”
Elsewhere, musician Damien “Big Percy” Roderick paid his respects to the late rapper, writing, “Damn @outlawznation @theoutlawzofficial REST EASY HOMIE @young_noble wish I could change our last call we had DAMN PRAYERS UP.”
Fellow Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean also shared a heartfelt tribute about his former groupmate.
“Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable,” he wrote on Instagram. “My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper.”
He added that he’s in “no shape to talk about this right now.”
“Mental illness is a real battle being fought by so many. CHECK ON UR FOLKS!” he wrote.
He captioned the heartbreaking post, “I’m at a loss for words. 💔”
Snoop rushed to the comments section, writing, “Damn cuz 🙏🏾. 🕊️. Sending prayers to the family,” as co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records Suge Knight’s son, Suge J. Knight, wrote, “🙏🏽 Long Live a Legend.”
The rapper joined Outlawz in 1996 after being personally selected by Shakur, who put the group together in 1995. He was the last member to join the popular hip-hop group.
The group signed with Death Row Records in 1997 following Shakur’s death and remained on the label until 1999.
He went on to collaborate with the “Changes” hitmaker on a total of four tracks on Shakur’s 1996 album “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory,” including the hit song “Hail Mary.”
As for his solo music, Noble released the “Noble Justice” album in 2002, followed by “Son of God” in 2012.
In his final social media post before his untimely death, Noble shared a message on Instagram that read, “You’re not reading this by accident. This is your confirmation. You’re going to make it. No matter what it looks like right now.”
“God is going to send blessings, solutions, healing, love, and positive change your way. So hold on, be strong and don’t give up. You are next in line for your miracle,” his June 22 post added.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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