Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 5, 2025 · Entertainment

Heartbreak in Hip-Hop: Tupac's Young Noble Dies by Suicide

Rufus Lee Cooper III, a rapper who used the stage name Young Noble, has died in an apparent suicide at the age of 47; pictured 2017

SHOCKING SUICIDE ROCKS HIP-HOP WORLD: Beloved Rapper Young Noble Dead at 47

The hip-hop community is reeling in shock and grief after the sudden and tragic death of Rufus Lee Cooper III, aka Young Noble, a rapper and member of the legendary group Outlawz. The news of his passing has left fans, friends, and family members stunned, and many are still trying to come to terms with the loss of this talented artist.

According to sources close to the investigation, Young Noble took his own life in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. The rapper was 47 years old at the time of his death.

Noble was part of the 1990s group Outlawz - the last member to be handpicked by co-founder Tupac Shakur before the latter was gunned down in 1996; Shakur pictured that year

But what makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that Young Noble had been open about his struggles with health issues in recent years. In 2021, he suffered a severe heart attack and wrote on Instagram that he was "grateful for a second chance" after being saved by amazing doctors. It's unclear whether these health issues contributed to his decision to end his life.

Young Noble's friends and family are still trying to process the news of his passing. His fellow Outlawz member, E.D.I. Mean (also known as Malcolm Greenridge), broke the news on Instagram with a heartfelt post: "Today I got some of the worst and unexpected news imaginable. My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper."

E.D.I.'s words are a testament to the deep bond that existed between him and Young Noble. The two had been part of Outlawz since its inception, alongside Tupac Shakur, who was tragically gunned down in 1996. Young Noble was one of the last members to be handpicked by 'Pac himself.

Alongside his work with Outlawz, Noble also released a number of his own albums, including Noble Justice, Son of God, Powerful and 3rd Eye View; pictured this May on his Instagram

In an interview years later, Young Noble recalled the moment when he saw Tupac's mother, Afeni, make the heartbreaking decision to take her son off life support: "She let her son go. 'Pac ain't die. Afeni said: 'Let my son fly. That's it.'" This emotional testimony showcases the deep impact that Tupac's death had on Young Noble and his fellow Outlawz members.

But Young Noble's story is not just one of tragedy; it's also a testament to resilience and determination. After Tupac's passing, he continued to work with Outlawz, releasing several albums, including "Noble Justice," "Son of God," and "Powerful." His 2019 album "3rd Eye View" was his swan song.

In recent years, Young Noble had been open about his struggles with health issues. His mother, Ellene Furr, suffered from stage 3 cancer and passed away in July at the age of 78 after a rapid decline. Just months before his own passing, Young Noble shared an Instagram post reflecting on the people he had lost: "Woke up thinkin' about all my amazing Family & Friends who are no longer with me in the physical but are now my Angels & Ancestors walking with me forever in my Heart & Spirit.. Life is shorter than we think. I turn 47 later this month by the good grace of God an im extremely grateful to have made it this far..."

Noble was in the hospital room with Shakur after the latter's shooting, and saw the superstar's mother Afeni make the decision to take him off life support; Shakur pictured 1996

Young Noble's final Instagram post, just weeks before his passing, was a message of hope and encouragement: "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."

As the hip-hop community comes together to mourn the loss of Young Noble, we remember his legacy as a talented artist who left an indelible mark on the music world. His story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for healing, redemption, and renewal.

UPDATE: The Outlawz have released a statement paying tribute to their beloved brother: "Today we lost our brother and partner, Young Noble. We will miss him dearly but take comfort in knowing he's now walking with his ancestors. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper."

The investigation into Young Noble's death is ongoing, and thescholarlynote.com will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Sources:

  • E.D.I. Mean's Instagram post
  • Young Noble's Instagram posts
  • Outlawz statement
  • TMZ