Timbaland confirmed the news about Magoo's (right) death on his Instagram. Photo: Timbaland/Instagram
Magoo, a hip hop artist who collaborated with Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and recorded as a duo with Timbaland, has died at the age of 50.
While no cause of death has been revealed, he is being remembered by his close peers.
Timbaland confirmed the news Monday (Aug 14), posting on Instagram that “this one hits different... long live Melvin aka magoo !!!”
“Tim and Magoo forever ... rest easy my king,” the Grammy-winning hitmaker added alongside broken heart and dove emojis.
Magoo, who’s real name is Melvin Barcliff, befriended Timbaland in Norfolk, Virginia during their teenage years.
Before gaining fame for his vocal style – which some compared to A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip – he would perform New Edition cover songs at local talent shows.
Timbaland & Magoo officially teamed up in 1989 before serving a brief stint with the Surrounded By Idiots (SBI) collective – which also featured Pharrell Williams.
Magoo is credited with introducing Timbaland (whose real name is Tim Mosley) to fellow Virginian Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott. All three artists became a part of Da Bassment Cru, which consisted of rappers, singers and musicians assembled by Jodeci member DeVante Swing.
After the project fell apart, Timbaland & Magoo signed with Blackground Entertainment, which was spearheaded by Aaliyah’s uncle Barry Hankerson.
In 1997, the duo’s debut album, Welcome to Our World, was released, featuring collaborations with Elliott, Aaliyah and Ginuwine. The platinum-selling opus yielded the single Up Jumps Da Boogie, which hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Their second album, Indecent Proposal, was released in 2001, followed by Under Construction Part II in 2003. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
