Rapper Young Noble Dies By Suicide at 47
Rapper Young Noble dies by suicide on July 4, 2025. He was 47 years old. Tributes are pouring in from all around the Hip Hop community.
Remembering Young Noble (1978–2025)
On July 4, 2025, Rufus Lee Cooper III, better known as Young Noble, passed away by suicide in Atlanta, at the age of 47.
A Life in Hip‑Hop
Born March 21, 1978, in California and raised partly in New Jersey, Young Noble joined Tupac Shakur’s Outlawz in early 1996. He was the last artist handpicked by Tupac himself. He debuted on The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, featuring on tracks like “Hail Mary”, “Bomb First”, and “Life of an Outlaw”. Noble went on to release solo albums –
- Noble Justice (2002)
- Son of God
- Powerful
- 3rd Eye View
- Outlaw University
- Lucky Number 7
- Positive Vibes Only and
- The Last Outlaw
He did all this, while still keeping Tupac’s spirit alive through the Outlawz legacy.
The Sudden Loss & Community Response
Early reports from TMZ, The AJC, and Majic Atlanta indicate he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean shared his grief on Instagram:
“My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper… Mental illness is a real battle being fought by so many. CHECK ON UR FOLKS!”.
Snoop Dogg—a fellow Death Row labelmate—also expressed sorrow over the loss and emphasized the critical importance of mental health.
Advocacy & Awareness
Noble’s final Instagram message (June 22) was a poignant call for resilience:
“You’re going to make it… So hold on, be strong and don’t give up. You are next in line for your miracle.”
His death is already contributing to wider conversations on mental-health awareness—particularly within the Black and hip‑hop communities—prompting initiatives and resource sharing . Organizations like BEAM, AAKOMA, and The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation continue to combat stigma and extend support.
What’s Next
Young Noble’s family has launched a GoFundMe to assist with funeral costs, with the hip‑hop community rallying in support. His passing serves as both a sorrowful loss and a wake‑up call: we must “check on our folks” and speak openly about mental wellness.
Final Thoughts
Young Noble’s music spoke truth to hardship and carried Tupac’s fiery legacy forward. His untimely death underscores a heartbreaking reality—that mental illness spares no one. As fans and friends mourn, let’s remember to carry his message ahead: reach out, offer support, and never let silence continue the fight.
If you or anyone needs support, please call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to 988lifeline.org.
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