Young Noble’s family have asked for “support” through the launch of a GoFundMe page following the death of the Outlawz rapper.
Last Friday (July 4), Young Noble (real name Rufus Lee Cooper III) was found dead in a country club pool in Atlanta from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police records obtained by TMZ. At the scene, the rapper’s wife told police that Young Noble struggled with depression. He was 47 years old.
Organized by Jacqueline Lesane on behalf of the rapper’s family, the GoFundMe (which can be found here) has currently received almost $10,000 of its $22,000 goal.
“In this hour we ask for prayer. We ask that you understand Mental Health is real. Our Family and community request your support with our next moment in time,” the GFM description reads.
Noble’s death was first confirmed by fellow Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean. “Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable. My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Joining the Outlawz in 1996, Noble was the last member 2Pac added personally to the group — which also included 2Pac (Makaveli), E.D.I. Mean, Yaki Kadafi, Hussein Fatal, Big Syke (Mussolini), Kastro, Napoleon, Mopreme Shakur (Komani) and Storm.
While most of the Outlawz (formerly known as Dramacydal) appeared on Pac’s diamond-certified double album All Eyez on Me, Young Noble made his debut on his follow-up Death Row Records album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. He featured on the songs “Bomb First (My Second Reply),” “Hail Mary,” “Life of an Outlaw” and “Just Like Daddy.”
In addition to several Outlawz albums, as well as a few collaborative LPs (with artists such as Layzie Bone), Noble also put out a few solo projects, including The Last Outlaw, which was released last year.
Four years ago, Young Noble updated fans on his recovery from a heart attack and said he had been given a “second chance.”
“Thank you to all my luved ones who been praying for me. I had 1 of the worst days of my life yesterday I had a serious heart attack but God is too good & the amazing doctors brung me back an they getting me right,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I plan to put everything in my life on hold while I recover an get my health all the way right…This will only make me stronger I’m grateful for a second chance an I beg y’all please please please take your health serious all the unhealthy living a stress catches up sooner than later!”
