Outlawz Rapper Young Noble Passes Away

Young Noble, a seasoned artist who began his career as a member of 2Pac's Outlawz group, has passed away.

According to a report TMZ published on Friday, July 4, Noble, born Rufus Cooper III, died by suicide. The 47-year-old artist was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday morning in Atlanta. Young Noble joined the Outlawz in 1996, right before 'Pac dropped his fourth album All Eyez On Me. He was recruited after founding members Hussein Fatal and Yaki Kadafi introduced Noble to 'Pac while recording his now-infamous diss track "Hit 'Em Up." Noble was reportedly the last member added to the group before 2Pac's death.

Noble made his official debut on the late rapper's first posthumous album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. He appeared on four songs, "Bomb First (My Second Reply)," "Hail Mary", "Life of an Outlaw", and "Just Like Daddy." He also contributed to the group's 1999 album Still I Rise. Noble eventually released his solo album Noble Justice in 2002 and followed up with other projects, including collaborative efforts with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony members Krayzie Bone and Layzie Bone. His Outlawz brethren, E.D.I. Mean, reflected on his passing in an Instagram post.

"Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable," he wrote. "My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper. I obviously am in no shape to talk about this right now so PLEASE give his family and I some time to process this. Mental illness is a real battle being fought by so many."

Fellow artists like Snoop Dogg, DJ Premier, and Young Buck all offered their condolences. People close to Young Noble said they didn't notice any recent signs of mental illness. The late rapper suffered from a severe heart attack in 2021. At the time, he told his social media followers that he was "grateful for a second chance" at life.

Rest in peace, Young Noble.