Tragic News. Young Noble, a member of the hip-hop group Outlawz and frequent Tupac Shakur collaborator, has died. He was 47.
A representative for the rapper confirmed his death to PEOPLE. TMZ reported that Noble, born Rufus Lee Cooper III, died by suicide in Atlanta on Friday, July 4.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Musician Damien “Big Percy” Roderick posted about Noble's death, writing on social media, “Damn @outlawznation @theoutlawzofficial REST EASY HOMIE @young_noble wish I could change our last call we had DAMN PRAYERS UP."
Snoop Dogg, who was on Death Row Records with Shakur before the late musician’s 1996 death, was also labelmates with Noble. He reacted to the news of Noble's death on social media.
“DAMN Mental health is real,” the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper, 53, wrote alongside Roderick's post, adding the song “The Good Die Young” by Shakur and Outlawz.
Fellow Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean also remembered Noble with a social media tribute.
"Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable," he began. "My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper."
Mean added that he is "in no shape to talk about this right now," and asked fans to give Noble's family privacy.
"Mental illness is a real battle being fought by so many. CHECK ON UR FOLKS!" he concluded.
Noble joined Outlawz in early 1996. He was the last member added to the music group after being personally selected by Shakur before he was fatally shot in Las Vegas.
The rapper appeared on four songs on Shakur's album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, including "Hail Mary."
Noble's solo albums include Noble Justice and Son of God.
Noble's final social media post came on June 22, when the musician shared a message 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," the message continued.
Young Noble, Outlawz Rapper and Tupac Shakur Collaborator, Dies at 47 Of Suicide
by Hip-Hop-Lives
Jul 5, 2025
Young Noble, Outlawz Rapper and Tupac Shakur Collaborator, Dies at 47 Of Suicide
Tragic News. Young Noble, a member of the hip-hop group Outlawz and frequent Tupac Shakur collaborator, has died. He was 47.
A representative for the rapper confirmed his death to PEOPLE. TMZ reported that Noble, born Rufus Lee Cooper III, died by suicide in Atlanta on Friday, July 4.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Musician Damien “Big Percy” Roderick posted about Noble's death, writing on social media, “Damn @outlawznation @theoutlawzofficial REST EASY HOMIE @young_noble wish I could change our last call we had DAMN PRAYERS UP."
Snoop Dogg, who was on Death Row Records with Shakur before the late musician’s 1996 death, was also labelmates with Noble. He reacted to the news of Noble's death on social media.
“DAMN Mental health is real,” the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper, 53, wrote alongside Roderick's post, adding the song “The Good Die Young” by Shakur and Outlawz.
Fellow Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean also remembered Noble with a social media tribute.
"Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable," he began. "My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper."
Mean added that he is "in no shape to talk about this right now," and asked fans to give Noble's family privacy.
"Mental illness is a real battle being fought by so many. CHECK ON UR FOLKS!" he concluded.
Noble joined Outlawz in early 1996. He was the last member added to the music group after being personally selected by Shakur before he was fatally shot in Las Vegas.
The rapper appeared on four songs on Shakur's album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, including "Hail Mary."
Noble's solo albums include Noble Justice and Son of God.
Noble's final social media post came on June 22, when the musician shared a message 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," the message continued.
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